CHAPTER 168: CHAPTER 168 WEAKNESS

It all scared him.

Because for the first time in his life, he couldn’t predict his next move. Couldn’t explain the heat in his chest. Couldn’t understand why his hands shook the day he almost lost her.

And that terrified him more than any gun or betrayal ever could.

He clenched the glass in his hand, the pressure threatening to crack it.

He shouldn’t fall again.

He couldn’t fall again.

He had barely survived the first time—the betrayal, the disgust of realizing he had been used. And now, with Bella, these unfamiliar feelings were crawling into him like wildfire.

They weren’t logical.

They weren’t useful.

And he hated how out of control they made him feel.

This was exactly why he had drawn the line so sharply.

He couldn’t let her become his weakness.

***

Bella sat at the breakfast table with her hands folded in her lap, her eyes quietly drifting toward the empty chair across from her.

He didn’t come down again.

She lowered her gaze and picked at her toast, chewing slowly though she could hardly taste it. Aunt Clara brought her fresh juice, sweet and chilled just how she liked it, and Bella thanked her with a small smile, but even that felt hollow. She wasn’t used to feeling this way—this strange heaviness sitting quietly on her chest.

Leonardo hadn’t looked at her properly in two days.

He’d been gone when she woke up, gone again during lunch, and at dinner he was either silent or acting like she was invisible. Even when they passed in the hallway, his cold gray eyes just... drifted past her. Like she was some stranger walking through his house.

Maybe he’s just busy, Bella told herself gently, swinging her legs beneath the chair. He’s important. He’s a businessman and mafia boss. He’s probably handling something very stressful.

Yes. That had to be it.

She nodded to herself and pressed her fingertips against her cheeks. "Don’t overthink, Bella," she whispered softly. "You always overthink, remember?"

Her little inner angel nodded back at her in her mind. He’s probably tired. Or something happened at work. That’s all. You’re not annoying. You didn’t do anything wrong.

***

1:26 PM

Bella stood in front of the mirror, lightly smoothing the skirt of her soft lavender dress. Her reflection stared back at her with a half-hearted smile.

She didn’t feel like going out today. Lina had planned to take her shopping, but bella just wasn’t in the mood.

Everyone was going to Alexa’s wedding tomorrow. Bella was expected to go too... but deep down, she didn’t want to. Something inside her whispered that she shouldn’t be there.

Jay had said he’d make sure the gift looked better than the bride herself. Alessandro had already prepared something elegant from the family’s side. Lina, being the graceful woman she was, insisted they attend—not out of affection, but out of manners.

So Bella had to go.

She let out a small sigh and turned away from the mirror. As she walked down the hall.

At the bottom of the stairs, Lina was waiting for her.

They sat in the backseat of the luxurious black car, the driver quietly starting the engine. Silence settled between them at first, calm and comfortable.

But then Lina turned her head slightly and asked, "Dear... have you thought about continuing your studies?"

Bella blinked, caught off guard.

Bella had forgotten. Alessandro had asked her something similar over breakfast a week ago but she’d forgotten all about it since then.

She hesitated.

To be honest, yes

, she had thought about it. She wanted to study. She wanted to sit in a classroom, open a notebook, have her own pens lined up like normal girls do. But the thought of meeting strangers, stepping into a room full of people she didn’t know... it made her stomach twist.

What if they were mean? What if no one sat with her? What if someone looked at her scars or judged the way she dressed? What if they laughed at her because she didn’t know how things worked?

So many what-ifs spun in her head but her mouth didn’t wait.

"Yes," she whispered.

Lina turned to her, surprised, but pleased. "Oh?" Her expression softened even more, and she tilted her head. "Have you thought about which subject?"

Bella chewed her bottom lip. "I... I don’t know," she said honestly. "I like computers, though..."

It was a simple answer. A safe one. She wasn’t going to say she liked hacking or coding.

"Very good choice," Lina said, her voice approving. "That field is only going to grow. And if you’re naturally curious, it will suit you well."

Then, with an affectionate smile, Lina reached over and gently rubbed the top of Bella’s head, smoothing her hair with light fingers.

Bella froze for a second.

And then her eyes softened, her shoulders relaxed. It was such a small gesture but it meant so much. That warmth, that care. It reminded her of something she never really had.

She leaned into it slightly, just for a second.

Lina smiled quietly to herself, sensing her response.

They arrived shortly after at an upscale boutique nestled between luxury cafés and art galleries. A valet opened the door, and as Bella stepped out, her eyes went wide.

The display windows sparkled with crystal lighting, and the mannequins wore dresses that looked like they belonged on the red carpet. Shimmering pastels, sleek blacks, dreamy silks and laces.

Bella’s mouth parted slightly in awe. "It’s so pretty..." she whispered.

Lina chuckled softly, taking her arm. "Come, let’s find something that’ll make you feel even prettier."

As they walked further into the boutique, a woman approached with graceful poise. Her voice was smooth like silk.

"Welcome, Mrs. Moretti," she said, dressed in a fitted navy-blue dress, a delicate pearl bracelet clicking softly against her wrist as she moved. Then she turned to Bella with a warm smile. "And welcome to you, Miss Isabella. We’ve been expecting you."

Bella blinked in surprise. "You have?"

The woman smiled. "Of course. When Miss Lina visits, we prepare our best collection. And she told us someone special would be joining her today."

Bella’s cheeks flushed with soft pink. She lowered her gaze for a moment, her fingers tightening slightly around her phone.