His innocent wife is a dangerous hacker.-Chapter 541 Back to City A

It took Leo almost a full week before he began to feel like himself again.

The first few days after waking were slow, frustrating, and exhausting for him. Sitting up hurt. Breathing too deeply hurt. Even speaking for too long made the back of his body tighten in pain. The doctors kept him under strict observation, adjusting medication, monitoring healing, and making sure no infection or internal complications appeared.

Bella stayed through everything.

Jay handled calls, security, and business matters from outside.

Alessandro visited quietly, never staying too long, since he was handling situations on his side.

By the end of the week, Leo could walk slowly with support, sit up without feeling dizzy, and hold conversations without needing to pause every few minutes. It was not a full recovery, but it was enough.

And Leo, being Leo, refused to stay longer than necessary.

He signed the discharge papers as soon as the doctors allowed it. Within hours, arrangements were made. They left City F and returned to City A as soon as possible.

Back in City A, news spread quickly.

People started coming. Some openly worried. Some quietly respectful. Some just relieved he was alive.

The house felt full again, but softer. Like everyone was speaking half a tone lower, moving more carefully, aware that Leo was still healing.

William arrived first.

The moment he saw Leo sitting upright, even if slightly stiff, his eyes softened with visible relief.

"You scared all of us," William said quietly, placing a hand on Leo’s shoulder. His voice carried that rare mix of authority and deep affection.

"I’m fine," Leo replied simply, though he didn’t argue when William squeezed his shoulder a little tighter than usual.

Scarlett came next, moving quickly toward Bella first and hugging her tightly before stepping toward Leo.

"You look horrible," she said bluntly, her eyes slightly wet. "Which means you’re probably getting better."

Leo gave the faintest smirk.

"I missed your kindness," he said dryly.

She huffed softly, blinking fast before nodding. "Good. Stay alive. I’m too young to attend dramatic funerals."

Others came too. Close family. Trusted business allies.

People who didn’t speak much but stood quietly for a few minutes, asking about his recovery, offering small reassurances, promising support.

Through it all, Bella stayed near him, and Leo noticed.

Every time he shifted slightly in discomfort, she noticed.

Every time he got tired, she noticed.

Every time someone spoke too loudly, she noticed.

He didn’t say anything about it. But he noticed.

Leo leaned back slightly against the headboard, careful of the healing pull along his back, but his posture still carried that same quiet authority that made people instinctively straighten when he entered a room.

The house was quieter now. Most visitors had left.

He watched Bella for a moment as she adjusted the glass of water near him, making sure it was within easy reach.

Then, casually, like he was asking about the weather, he spoke.

"Where is your good for nothing friend Dom?"

Bella looked up, surprised for half a second.

It had been a week, and Dom had very noticeably not appeared.

Of course, Leo already knew why.

A slow, cold smirk appeared at the corner of his lips, faint but dangerous. The kind of expression that usually meant someone, somewhere, was about to regret their life choices.

Inside his mind, plans were already forming.

Bella noticed the expression immediately.

She knew that look. And strangely, instead of fear, a small amused smile touched her lips.

"I don’t know," she said lightly. "Maybe I should call him?"

Leo tilted his head slightly, watching her, then nodded once.

"Yes," he said calmly. "Good idea. Call him now."

Bella pulled out her phone, already knowing Dom was probably avoiding every possible place Leo could be. She dialed anyway.

The phone rang once.

Twice.

Three times.

Then connected.

"HELLO BELLA HOW ARE YOU I AM VERY BUSY PERSON RIGHT NOW."

Bella bit back a laugh.

"Dom," she said calmly, "Leo is asking where you are."

There was absolute silence on the other end.

Then,

"...Is he... alive alive?" Dom asked carefully.

Bella glanced at Leo, whose smirk had deepened slightly.

"Yes," she said sweetly. "Very alive."

Another pause.

Dom’s voice returned, strained and several octaves higher. "Ah. Good. Amazing. Beautiful news. I am very happy for him. Please tell him I am currently... geographically challenged. Unavailable. Indisposed."

Leo held out his hand silently.

Bella raised a brow, then handed him the phone.

Leo brought it to his ear slowly.

"Dom," he said quietly.

Dom inhaled sharply on the other end like he had just been stabbed emotionally.

"...Brother," Dom said weakly. "You sound... strong."

"I am," Leo replied calmly.

Another long silence.

"I heard," Leo continued slowly, "someone stole around five million from me."

Dom made a sound that was not human.

"I think," Leo added, his voice smooth and almost thoughtful, "we should discuss that."

Dom cleared his throat loudly. "Yes. Discussion. Very important. Very healthy for friendships."

Leo’s eyes flickered with quiet amusement mixed with something far more dangerous.

"Come see me," he said.

It was not a request.

Dom exhaled like a man accepting his fate. "...I will be there in one hour."

"Good," Leo said, and ended the call.

Bella watched him carefully.

"You’re enjoying this," she said softly.

Leo placed the phone down beside him, his expression calm again, but his eyes still held that faint, sharp light, and he simply smirked at Bella.

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Leo walked slowly down the staircase with Bella beside him.

She stayed close. Her hand was firmly holding his wrist, like she expected him to suddenly collapse if she let go for even one second.

"I am just injured on my back. I am not helpless, Bella," he said finally, his voice carrying that familiar dry patience, though a hint of helplessness slipped through.

Bella didn’t even look convinced.

"No," she said immediately, glaring at him like he had personally offended her. "You are not okay."

Leo exhaled slowly, rolling his eyes slightly, though he didn’t pull his hand away.

This was his new reality. He, who had commanded rooms and destinies, was now being monitored like a fragile piece of glass. He was told when to sit, when to rest, when to drink. His pain was no longer a private affair but a shared currency, read in the worry on her face and the carefulness of her touch.

His entire life, he had been the one giving orders, fixing situations, carrying everything without letting anyone see when something hurt.

And now,

Now Bella was watching him like he was made of glass.