CHAPTER 216: CHAPTER 216 CLOSE CALL

Bella blinked, taken aback for a moment, but then laughter spilled out of her. Her heart pounded—not with fear, but with thrill. A race? Me? I’ve never done this before... but why not?

Her lips curved into a grin. "You’re on."

The girl leaned forward, pushing off with power, and Bella immediately followed, her skates striking the ground with a sharp rhythm. The two of them flew side by side down the road, weaving between pedestrians and dodging startled shoppers who moved aside.

Bella’s brown eyes shone with excitement, her floppy dark wig brushing across her forehead. For once she didn’t care if someone looked at her—she was too caught up in the adrenaline, too caught up in the laughter of this stranger who felt like a friend already.

"Faster, boy!" the girl shouted.

Bella threw her head back and laughed, skating harder, her legs burning but her spirit soaring higher. "Don’t cry when I win!"

Though Bella didn’t win, the girl skated ahead, turned halfway with a grin and called, "I won!" before winking at her. Without waiting for a reply, she spun gracefully on her wheels and skated away, disappearing into the crowd as if the race had been official.

Bella slowed down, her laughter fading into a thoughtful smile. "She was... kind of cool," she muttered to herself, reaching up to adjust the floppy wig that had shifted slightly from the wind. Her fingers brushed against the strands, and she froze mid-motion.

Wait.

Her eyes widened, the realization dawning on her like a spark in the dark.

That girl wasn’t winking at Bella. She was winking at Isaac.

Her mouth parted in surprise before she quickly pressed her lips together, trying not to laugh. "Oh my god... she was flirting with me," she whispered, cheeks heating. The idea was both ridiculous and strangely flattering.

Skating slowly now, Bella shook her head, half embarrassed and half amused. Well, Isaac Snow is apparently handsome enough to get attention...

And for some reason, that made her secretly a little proud.

Bella pulled out her phone, flicking open the tracker screen, and saw the mall location glowing near her. A little thrill went through her. "Perfect," she whispered, deciding she could skate all the way there instead of calling a cab. She pressed the small button on the side of her shoes, clicking the wheels back in, and walked through the glass doors of the mall.

Her cheeks were flushed, both from the skating and the little high of freedom she was still riding. She glanced around, acting casual, phone in her hand. The screen lit up with the red dots—Leo’s guards—scattered around. She bit her lip, weaving between people with a calmness she didn’t really feel.

Then, halfway across the hall, she froze. Her body stiffened, breath catching in her throat.

Her eyes widened slowly.

That tall, broad back...

Her stomach dropped.

Leonardo.

Even from behind she could tell. That powerful frame, the straight line of his shoulders, the dark shirt that clung to his body like it was made for him alone. His stride was long, commanding, the kind of walk that made people unconsciously step out of the way. His presence was magnetic, dangerous, and achingly familiar.

Her heart skipped wildly. No, no, no—it can’t be him here!

Bella’s fingers clenched around her phone as if she could crush it. She ducked her head, panicking when she realized he was heading toward the elevator. His hand reached out, pressing the button with casual authority, and even that small action made her pulse stutter.

"Oh God," she whispered under her breath, fighting the urge to run straight back out the door. But that would be too dangerous.

Instead, she darted to the escalator, legs trembling beneath her disguise. She hurried up, two steps at a time, her breath uneven. Every nerve screamed at her that he was too close, that if he turned even slightly, those piercing gray eyes would catch her.

She reached the first floor, heart pounding, and quickly slipped behind a pillar, trying to steady her breath.

The elevator doors opened, and Leonardo stepped inside, one hand in his pocket, his expression unreadable but his aura sharp enough to cut steel. Even at a distance, he radiated heat and danger, the kind that made her throat go dry.

Bella pressed her back against the wall, her chest rising and falling rapidly. Why is he here? Did he find me?

The mall suddenly felt smaller, tighter, like the walls were closing in. She clutched her phone, whispering to herself, "Oh no... oh no... I can’t let him see me like this. Not Isaac. Not here."

Bella’s palms were clammy as she darted toward the restricted restroom again, her heart thundering like a drum. She yanked out her phone, quickly fixing her location so the tracker showed her "moving" around the third floor. Then, with trembling hands, she hurriedly slipped inside, locking the door behind her.

In a flurry, she tore off the men’s clothing, folding the jacket and pants neatly before shoving them into her foldable bag. She changed back into her simple dress, sliding her tablet and phone into her plain purse. She ran her fingers through her hair, shaking the wig free, until her long locks tumbled down naturally over her shoulders.

"Calm down, Bella... calm down," she whispered to herself, staring at her reflection in the mirror. Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes still wide with nerves. She splashed a little water on her face and forced herself to breathe evenly.

She left the restroom briskly, striding toward a clothing store. To avoid suspicion, she plucked a random summer dress off the rack, carried it to the counter, and purchased it without even glancing at the color. As soon as the bag was handed over, she exhaled deeply. Relief washed over her like a wave. Safe. For now.

"Huh!" Bella puffed out her cheeks, fixing her tracker location once again. She walked aimlessly around until the sweet smell of vanilla caught her attention. A little ice cream kiosk stood nearby. Without thinking, she bought the biggest cone they had and began licking it, trying to calm her nerves.

The cold sweetness distracted her for a moment, and she let out a small giggle to herself. But that relief shattered in an instant.

"Bella?"

Her whole body stiffened. The spoonful of ice cream nearly slipped from her hand. That voice—low, familiar, commanding. Her heartbeat spiked so hard it hurt.