His innocent wife is a dangerous hacker.-Chapter 542 Stupid

It was a strange feeling. An odd, prickling warmth that had nothing to do with the afternoon sun streaming through the windows and everything to do with the woman walking beside him, her small hand a steady anchor under his elbow. He was acutely aware of every careful step she took, her body angled as if she was ready to catch him if he even shifted the wrong way. It was unsettling. Uncomfortable. And yet, somewhere very deep inside him, it was annoyingly, undeniably warm in a way he could not name or fully understand.

"I can walk on my own," he muttered again, the words coming out more like a low grumble than an actual protest, like he already knew she was not going to listen to him anyway.

"I know," Bella replied, her voice calm and smooth like a still pond that did not move even when wind tried to disturb it. "But you won’t."

He cut his eyes toward her, giving her a look that had made grown men hesitate mid-sentence, the kind of look that usually ended arguments before they even began.

She didn’t even blink. She just kept her gaze forward, her expression one of serene, quiet, completely immovable certainty, like a wall he had no interest in trying to push through today.

"If you tear those stitches again," she added fiercely, her voice low but carrying sharp steel beneath it, "I will personally make sure you never leave this bed for a month."

Leo stared at her for a long second. Then he huffed out a quiet breath, a sound that was dangerously close to a laugh, and shook his head slightly. A faint, reluctant smile tugged at the corner of his mouth like it had escaped without permission. "You are very bossy."

"You almost died," she replied immediately, without missing even half a heartbeat.

That stopped him. Completely. Just for a second. His expression shifted, something raw and dark flickering in the depths of his gray eyes before he forced it down, locked it away, covering it with that familiar calm mask he had worn for most of his adult life. They reached the last step of the short staircase leading into the sunken living room.

Bella slowed her pace, her hold on him tightening just slightly as she made absolutely sure his foot found the floor properly before she guided him carefully toward the large, plush sofa.

The act of lowering himself was controlled agony. He moved with deliberate slowness, keeping his spine straight and rigid. His jaw tightened for half a second as a sharp flare of pain shot through his back before he finally settled against the cushions with a soft, controlled, almost relieved exhale.

Before he could even draw his next proper breath, Bella was already there. She reached for a cushion behind him, her hands gentle but firm as she adjusted it carefully, making sure he was supported without putting any pressure on the wound. She fussed over the position, adjusting it once, then twice, her brow furrowed in deep concentration like this was the most important task in the world.

He watched her. He watched the way her hair fell forward like a soft curtain as she leaned over him. The faint scent of her shampoo reached him, something clean and soft, like rain and vanilla mixed together. He watched the careful, precise movements of her hands as if memorizing them.

"You are staring," she said quietly, without looking up from what she was doing.

"You are hovering," he replied, his voice a low rumble that vibrated slightly in his chest.

She finally lifted her gaze to meet his. Her eyes, usually warm and bright, were serious now, filled with fierce, protective light. "I am making sure you don’t do something stupid."

He raised one brow slowly. "I always do something stupid."

"Yes," Bella replied immediately, completely serious and completely certain. "Exactly."

He studied her face for a long moment, then asked, with genuine curiosity this time, "What is the stupidest thing I have done?"

Bella’s expression changed instantly.

All the softness disappeared, replaced by something sharp and bright and real. It wasn’t just worry. It was anger. Hot, bright, protective anger. "Trying to hide this from me," she said, the words coming out sharper than she probably intended. "If you had not told your guards not to inform me, you would have gotten proper treatment sooner. That doctor didn’t even treat you properly."

Her jaw tightened as she spoke, the memory still fresh, still bitter. "And his sister," she added, irritation turning sharp in her voice, "she was insufferable. Just like Alexa."

Leo watched her, watching the storm of her anger move around him. Slowly, real amusement crept into his expression, warming his eyes. She was furious. For him. The feeling was new. Strange. Almost dizzying. "I thought I would be fine by then," he said calmly, in that infuriatingly controlled tone. "I didn’t want to ruin your party."

Bella stared at him like he had just said something completely unbelievable. The silence stretched thick between them. Then she said one word, flat and final.

"Stupid."

He sighed softly, the sound carrying quiet resignation, but he did not look surprised. He could not even argue with her.

Silence settled over the room. Leo’s gaze drifted away from her, turning inward, distant, like he was replaying every decision and consequence in his mind, every moment that led to that hospital bed. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Bella noticed immediately. The anger drained out of her posture, replaced by quiet, tender concern. She stepped closer, closing the small distance between them. "Hey," she said softly, pulling him gently back from wherever his mind had gone.

He looked up again, meeting her eyes.

She leaned down slowly, her movements soft and certain, and pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek. She lingered there for a moment, her lips warm against his skin, a silent promise that he was here, alive, with her. "Don’t think too much," she whispered, her breath soft against his ear.

As she pulled back, teasing warmth returned to her voice. "And I was joking. You are stupid only sometimes." She paused deliberately. "And you are handsome most of the time."