CHAPTER 432: CHAPTER 432 SPRING VILLA

Bella shook her head weakly, still trembling. Her tears soaked into Leo’s shirt, but Leo didn’t care.

She felt fragile in his arms, like she might break if he loosened his hold even a little. The memory of seeing her in that room, confused and scared and unable to even find the door, replayed again and again in his mind. His jaw clenched so hard it hurt.

"Just breathe with me..." he murmured, guiding her gently. "In... then out... slow..."

Bella tried to follow him, taking shaky breaths, her body still tight with fear.

Leo tucked her closer, one hand supporting her head, the other rubbing her back with slow, steady pressure, trying to help her relax even a little. His voice dropped to a soft whisper, warm against her ear.

"I’m right here, bunny. I won’t leave you. Not for a second."

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The car stopped in front of Spring Villa, a place that looked nothing like a hospital from the outside. To strangers, it appeared to be a quiet, expensive private house hidden behind tall iron gates, with soft yellow lights glowing through the windows and a peaceful garden stretching around it.

But Leo knew better. He built this place himself and invested in it because his men were often wounded by bullets or weapons, injuries impossible to explain to normal doctors. It was too risky to use public hospitals, so having a private medical team was necessary.

The doctors inside were handpicked by him, men he trusted with his life and, more importantly, Bella’s life.

The moment the car stopped, the heavy front door opened automatically. Two men in white coats stepped out, Dr. Avery and Dr. Michel, both wearing calm, professional expressions. Their eyes sharpened the second they saw Leo’s tense face and Bella shaking in his arms. They had already received a message that the boss was arriving with his wife and that her condition wasn’t good, so they waited at the gate.

Leo didn’t wait for anyone.

He got out immediately, lifting Bella carefully as if she were made of glass.

"Move," he said quietly to the guards near the entrance. They stepped aside instantly.

Inside, Spring Villa looked nothing like a medical facility. The interior was bright, warm and luxurious, with marble floors, soft cream walls, golden lights, fresh flowers and comfortable sofas in the waiting area. A large chandelier hung above them, glowing softly like a warm afternoon sun. Every room was soundproof. Every hallway spotless.

This place was designed to heal without making anyone feel like a patient.

Leo carried Bella down the hallway, ignoring how his own hands trembled slightly. Her breath hitched against his chest, and he nudged his chin gently against her hair.

"It’s alright, bunny... I’m here," he whispered.

Dr. Avery hurried beside him, trying to look calm even though he was clearly startled. "Sir, what happened? She’s trembling—"

"Prepare room one," Leo said sharply.

"Yes, sir."

The doctor rushed ahead, pushing open a door at the end of the hallway. Inside, the room looked like a luxurious bedroom rather than a hospital, with soft lighting, a wide bed with white sheets, comfortable pillows, a couch, a wooden desk and medical equipment neatly hidden behind sliding panels so patients never felt intimidated.

Leo sat on the bed, still holding Bella on his lap for a moment. She clung to him, her fingers gripping the fabric near his shoulder, her face pressed into his chest as tiny, broken breaths escaped her.

"It’s okay, baby... you’re safe here," he whispered softly, brushing her hair with trembling fingers.

Dr. Michel stepped in quietly with warm towels and a tray of calming remedies. "Sir, let us check her—"

Leo shook his head immediately. "She’s not letting go right now."

Bella’s body tightened, as if even hearing someone else speak frightened her. Leo soothed her instantly.

"Shh... it’s okay. I’m not letting anyone take you," he murmured.

Only after a moment, when Bella’s sobs softened, did he loosen his hold. He slowly guided her to sit on the bed, still keeping one arm around her waist so she felt supported.

"Bella..." he said gently, brushing her cheek with the back of his hand. "Let them help you, okay? I’m right here. I won’t go anywhere."

Bella nodded weakly, her eyes glossy and unfocused. She reached for his sleeve like a child reaching for safety, and Leo let her hold on as tightly as she needed.

Dr. Avery moved closer, his voice gentle. "Ma’am, can you breathe slowly for me? Just a little deeper... good... again..."

Leo’s hand rubbed small circles on Bella’s back, matching each breath the doctor guided. His face remained tight with worry, but his touch was delicate, almost trembling with care.

When Bella shivered again, Leo immediately pulled her closer.

"I know, bunny... I know... you’re safe," he whispered against her hair.

Dr. Avery and Dr. Michel exchanged a quiet glance. Bella looked like she had suffered a severe panic shock, possibly triggered by past trauma.

They knew panic attacks born from old fear were the hardest to break. Victims often lost sense of their surroundings; their mind slipped back into memories they never wanted to revisit. Bella needed gentle care, slow breathing support and grounding, not needles or machines.

They also knew one thing clearly.

She must not be separated from Leo, not even for a minute.

Because Leo wasn’t just her husband right now. He was her anchor, the only person her body trusted.

Dr. Michel stepped forward first, his voice soft and warm. "Sir, keep holding her. Don’t let go. Her body is reacting to fear, not injury. She needs your stability."

Leo nodded immediately, tightening his arms around Bella’s waist, keeping her steady against him. Bella’s fingers curled into his tuxedo fabric again, trembling as she tried to breathe.

Dr. Avery took out a small inhaler-like device with calming vapor, something they used for trauma patients to regulate breathing. He held it near Bella’s face but didn’t touch her.

"Ma’am," he said gently, "just breathe in slowly... and then out. Nothing else. No pressure."

Bella didn’t respond at first. Her eyes were glassy, her breaths fast and uneven, as if she was trapped inside her memories.

Leo cupped her cheek carefully, his thumb brushing under her eye.

"Bunny... follow my voice," he whispered. "Look at me."

Slowly, her eyes lifted.

Just a little.

Just enough.

Leo exhaled softly. "In... slowly... that’s it. Now out. I’m right here."

She tried again.

Her breath hitched.

She sniffed softly.

Hiccup... hiccup...