CHAPTER 388: CHAPTER 388

When Leo reached the company, the familiar rhythm of power and urgency fell into place immediately. The glass doors slid open, and before his footsteps even settled on the marble floor, all five of his assistants closed in around him like a well-trained orbit.

"Sir, the board meeting has been shifted to Conference Hall A—"

"Sir, the representative from Hermes Tech has arrived earlier than expected—"

"Sir, the new project drafts are on your desk—"

"Sir, the financial team needs your approval for the quarterly sheets—"

"Sir, your coffee."

Assistant Three stepped forward with perfect timing, offering the cup with both hands. Leo accepted it with a brisk nod, his stride never slowing as they all walked in sync beside him. His eyes flicked over the tablet one assistant held out, analyzing the agenda points even as his other hand lifted the coffee to his lips.

But the moment the warmth touched his tongue, a single thought snapped through his mind.

Bella.

He paused mid-step.

She had fallen asleep the whole way, and she hadn’t eaten breakfast.

His assistants froze in confusion as he pulled out his phone without a word.

He typed quickly.

Leo: Aunty Clara, Bella’s still sleeping. Prepare something light for her when she wakes up. Healthy...no cream, no spice. Add juice or fruit.

A reply came instantly.

Aunty Clara: Of course, Sir. I will take care of her.

Leo slipped his phone back into his pocket and resumed walking, his expression returning to its usual sharp, unreadable calm. His assistants hurried to match his pace, relieved that his brief pause hadn’t signaled danger.

Inside his office, he placed his coffee down and shrugged out of his jacket, rolling his sleeves up with practiced precision. The team scattered around him, placing documents on the table, opening presentations, adjusting settings.

He looked every bit the ruthless CEO—calm, firm, efficient.

𓏲𝄢..⋆˙⟡♡..𓏲𝄢

Bella woke slowly, the soft afternoon light slipping through the curtains and brushing her face with a warm, lazy glow. Her head felt fuzzy, her body deliciously relaxed in a way that told her she had slept far too deeply. She curled a little under the blanket, still half-dreaming, until her phone buzzed insistently on the nightstand.

She groaned, reached out blindly, and finally caught it.

"H... hello..." she mumbled in her sleepy voice.

"Mr. Isaac? I found a few more houses that match your requirements. If you’re interested, I can arrange a meeting this week," the real-estate agent said politely.

Bella’s eyes flew open.

Oh no.

Isaac-mode.

She cleared her throat, forced her voice lower, and sat up straighter as if that would help. "Yeah... sure," she said in her awkward man-voice, hoping it sounded at least a little convincing.

"Perfect, sir. I’ll message the details."

"Busy... call later," Bella muttered, hanging up quickly before she embarrassed herself further.

The moment the call ended, she fell back against the pillows with a dramatic sigh.

Her hair was messy. Her voice was half-asleep. And somehow, she still had to pretend to be "Mr. Isaac" and and buy a house for her future-self-that-didn’t-know-what-she-wanted-now.

"Argh..." she whispered, pressing a hand to her forehead.

Did she even need a separate home now?

She blinked up at the ceiling, her thoughts drifting.

She used to dream of having her own peaceful place, her own corner of the world where she felt safe and respected. Back then, she never imagined she would be living here—surrounded by warmth, protected, cared for in ways she never expected.

And Leo...

Her cheeks warmed as memories from yesterday flickered across her mind.

The bath.

The maze.

His hands.

His voice.

That kiss.

Her heart stumbled, and she had to bury half her face in the blanket to calm herself.

Divorce.

He had planned it.

She had prepared for it.

She had used it like a shield.

But now... she wasn’t sure anymore.

She didn’t want to leave. She didn’t want to separate. Maybe... maybe it depended on him now. On what Leo wanted.

Her eyes landed on the folded note beside her pillow.

She reached for it immediately, her fingers brushing over the familiar handwriting.

Rest well. I’ll be back soon.

—Leo

A soft smile tugged at her lips, small, shy, completely involuntary, as warmth spread through her chest.

"Stupid," she whispered lovingly, pressing the note against her heart.

Just like that, every confused thought in her mind softened, melting away one by one.

When Bella finally pushed herself out of bed, her hair sticking out in every possible direction, she stood in the middle of the room with a frown that could rival a grumpy kitten. She stretched her arms over her head and muttered under her breath, her voice thick with disbelief.

"When did I start sleeping this much? Once upon a time, getting good sleep was like winning a lottery... now I’ve become a complete sleep monster," she grumbled, narrowing her eyes at her own reflection in the mirror as if it were personally responsible.

With a sigh, she decided to take another bath, even though she had already taken one in the morning. She felt lazy and drained, so maybe warm water would help her fully wake up. She trudged into the bathroom, letting the shower chase away the last threads of sleep clinging to her. When she stepped out, wrapped in fresh air and a soft towel, she slipped into her comfiest pajamas—light, cottony, and loose enough to make her feel like she could float.

Her stomach rumbled softly.

"Okay, okay, I heard you," she muttered to her tummy, patting it as she walked downstairs.

But the moment she stepped into the kitchen, she stopped. Completely stunned.

A small, perfectly arranged light meal was already waiting on the counter—warm, simple, and comforting. Someone had clearly prepared it with care.

Aunty Clara turned around with her gentle, motherly smile. Bella’s heart melted, and she hurried over, wrapping her arms around the older woman’s shoulders.

"Thank you, Aunty Clara..." she murmured into the hug, her voice soft and sweet.

Aunty Clara patted her back fondly. "Come, sit down, dear. You need to eat properly."

Bella allowed herself to be guided to the dining table, where Clara served her the meal lovingly, making sure every portion was just right.

Bella’s eyes softened as she took her first bite, the warmth spreading through her chest as much as her stomach.

She hadn’t realized how hungry she was until now. She ate quietly, happily, feeling the comfort of home settle gently around her.