CHAPTER 266: CHAPTER 266 REWARD

"Okay... thank you, little bunny. Your hands have magic," Leo said at last, sitting up. His deep voice carried a note of genuine gratitude, and Bella’s heart skipped when she noticed how his abs flexed as he moved.

"You’re welcome," Bella replied shyly, but her lips curved in a small, pleased smile. He had actually said thank you, and that little word from him made her feel light inside.

Leo stood, stretching slightly, and Bella tilted her head in confusion. "Where are you going?" she asked.

"Let’s go. I want to reward you for such amazing service," he said with a smirk tugging at his lips.

"But you should wear a shirt," Bella blurted out, her cheeks heating.

"No need. No one will come here." His tone was casual, as though walking around shirtless was the most natural thing in the world. She bit her lip, hesitating, before hopping off the bed to follow him.

They walked down the quiet corridor, the air filled with the faint sound of the central air conditioning. When Leo stopped near a door right beside his room, Bella blinked in surprise. He entered a passcode on the sleek panel, and with a soft click, the door slid open.

"Go on," he said, stepping aside so she could see.

Bella peeked in, and her eyes widened until they almost sparkled.

The room glowed with a mix of soft blue and green stripe lights, the walls bathed in a futuristic yet cozy aura. A large desk stood near the window, holding a powerful PC setup, multiple monitors gleaming faintly. A comfortable, high-back chair sat waiting, surrounded by neat cables and gadgets that gave it a sleek, tech-dream vibe.

But that wasn’t all. Her gaze darted to the corner, where a small jungle of potted plants stood, bringing life to the modern design. Another side blended seamlessly into a circular lounge area, with a round beige couch pressed against the wall. It was fluffy, inviting, almost like a nest.

And then Bella’s breath hitched. Her eyes filled with tears when she saw the shelves above the lounge, lined with soft, colorful plushies of every shape and size, arranged neatly like treasures.

It was her childhood dream. A doll room, a safe place where soft toys weren’t silly but precious.

She sniffled, her throat tightening, but before she could speak, her gaze wandered further.

At the far corner of the room stood something magical: a three-story tree, its branches curving upward to the ceiling. Warm lights were tucked into its hollow spaces, glowing like fireflies. Inside the trunk, there was cozy seating with soft couches and cushions, connected by a tiny spiral staircase. It looked like something out of a fairytale, human-sized, designed for climbing, sitting, reading, dreaming.

Bella’s lips trembled, her eyes glistening. "It’s... it’s so beautiful..." she whispered.

Leo leaned against the doorframe, watching her reaction, his gray eyes soft. For once, his smirk was gone, replaced by a faint smile he only ever wore when she was near. "Do you like it?" he asked.

Bella nodded furiously, wiping the corner of her eyes with the back of her hand. "Like it? I... I love it..." she whispered, her voice breaking from the lump in her throat.

Leo walked in, coming to stand beside her. His hand brushed hers briefly before he folded his arms. "Good. Because it’s yours."

Bella froze. "M-mine?"

He tilted his head down to look at her, his voice low but certain. "All of it. My bunny deserves the best."

Her heart thudded wildly. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to cry or throw her arms around him. Instead, she just stared at him with wide, watery eyes, her lips trembling as though she couldn’t believe what he had just said.

And without thinking, Bella dashed forward, throwing her arms around him. Her little body pressed against his firm chest as tears streamed down her cheeks. She couldn’t hold it in anymore. The room, the lights, the tree, the plushies, all of it felt like a dream pulled straight from her heart.

"Thank you, Leo... I can’t believe this..." she whispered between sobs, her voice trembling. "I don’t have words for you... you’re the best husband..."

Her shoulders shook as the overwhelming emotion poured out of her. She wasn’t just thanking him for the room. She was thanking him for noticing, for understanding a piece of her heart no one else ever cared to see.

Leo’s lips curved in the faintest, rarest smile as he wrapped an arm around her back, steadying her trembling form. He lowered his chin slightly, resting it briefly above her head as he patted her back gently. "I’m glad you liked it," he murmured, his deep voice vibrating in his chest.

Bella, caught up in the moment, rubbed her tear-streaked face against him like a child seeking comfort, her cheeks brushing his firm chest. Her tears slid over his skin, warm against the hard lines of his body, and Leo felt his own body stiffen. His gray eyes darkened, heat flashing in their depths. Just the innocent press of her face against him was enough to set every nerve alight.

But he clenched his jaw and forced himself to remain still. Not now, he told himself. Not when she was so pure, so vulnerable.

"Bella..." he finally said, his voice lower than before. He pulled her gently away, his strong hands rising to cup her damp cheeks. Her eyes were red, her lashes wet, her lips parted with little sniffles that made her look even softer, more fragile.

"I’m sorry," Leo said, his thumb brushing away her tears. His eyes locked onto hers, gray and stormy yet carrying a rare gentleness. "I’m sorry I was so ignorant when we married. I treated everything like a deal, like it didn’t matter. But you matter. And I’m trying to make up for it now."

Bella sniffed again, her chest rising and falling unevenly as she stared up at him. For a second, she forgot to breathe. His words, his gaze, it was too much. Too honest, too raw. She nodded quickly, swallowing the lump in her throat, and turned her head slightly to glance back at the room.

Her heart was so full it felt like it might burst.