His innocent wife is a dangerous hacker.-Chapter 614 What was she supposed to do with him?

Chapter 614: Chapter 614 What was she supposed to do with him?

Dr. Reynolds’s eyes lit up as she turned to Bella. "Wonderful! We’d be delighted to have you. Let me get your information personally."

She pulled out a sleek tablet, fingers poised to type. "So, which course would you like to enroll in?"

Bella sat up straighter, glancing briefly at Leo before answering. "B.Tech in Computer Science."

Dr. Reynolds nodded, making a note. "Excellent choice. Our CS program is one of the best in the country." She paused, looking at Bella with genuine curiosity. "May I ask—do you have any prior knowledge of what you’ll be learning? Or what specifically interests you about this field?"

Bella took a breath.

"Well," Bella began slowly, "I’m particularly interested in cybersecurity and encryption algorithms. The way data can be protected or breached fascinates me. I’ve spent a lot of time understanding how systems think, how they’re built, and more importantly, how they break."

Dr. Reynolds’s eyebrows rose slightly.

Bella continued, warming to the subject. "I’m also interested in machine learning applications for threat detection. Most security systems are reactive. They respond after an attack. But if you could train algorithms to predict attack patterns based on behavioral anomalies, you could prevent breaches before they happen." She paused, thinking. "There’s also the ethical hacking side, understanding vulnerabilities by thinking like an attacker. It’s like a chess game really. You have to be three moves ahead."

The office had gone quiet.

Dr. Reynolds stared at her, tablet forgotten in her lap.

Even Leo had turned his head slightly. Just a fraction, with proud emotions flashing in his eyes. But Bella noticed.

"That’s..." Dr. Reynolds blinked, clearly reordering her thoughts. "That’s remarkably specific. And advanced. Most incoming students talk about liking computers or wanting to make apps." She set down her tablet, giving Bella her full attention. "Have you had formal training in this area?"

Bella bit her lip. "Not formal, no. Self-taught. Lots of reading and practice." She paused, then added quietly, "I’ve done some independent work in cybersecurity."

Dr. Reynolds studied her for a long moment. Then a slow smile spread across her face.

"Mrs. Moretti," she said, "I have a feeling you’re going to be one of our most interesting students."

Bella felt heat rise to her cheeks. "I just want to learn properly. Get the degree. Understand things at a deeper level."

"With that foundation, you’ll fly through our program." Dr. Reynolds picked up her tablet again, but her attitude had shifted. She wasn’t just processing a rich man’s wife anymore. She was engaging with a future colleague. "We have an advanced track for students who test out of introductory courses. Would you be interested in taking placement exams?"

Bella’s eyes widened. "I can do that?"

"Absolutely. If you already understand the fundamentals, there’s no point sitting through a year of what you already know."

Bella nodded quickly, excitement flickering in her chest. "Yes. I’d like that."

"Wonderful. I’ll arrange it for next week."

The conversation continued, covering course selections, scheduling, and campus resources. But the dynamic had shifted. Dr. Reynolds spoke to Bella now, not around her. Asked her opinion. Valued her answers.

Through it all, Leo remained silent. But his eyes were on her the entire time.

Finally, they were done.

The meeting with Dr. Reynolds had been intense but productive. Bella had answered questions, filled out forms, and somehow ended up with a placement exam scheduled for next week. Her head was spinning with information and possibilities.

But as they walked out of the administration building, that familiar ache returned to her chest.

Leo was ahead of her.

Walking fast. Walking away. His long legs ate up the distance while she struggled to keep up in her simple flats. He didn’t look back. Didn’t slow down. Didn’t seem to care if she was following at all.

Bella pouted, watching his rigid back.

Goodness. When he was warm, he was so warm, like sitting by a fire on a cold night. But when he turned cold? He became an ice cube. Hard. Impossible to crack. Impossible to reach.

What was she supposed to do with him?

She was so deep in her thoughts, so focused on the space between them, that she didn’t see—

Thump.

She collided with someone. Hard.

"Watch where you’re going!" a sharp voice said.

Bella stumbled, her balance gone, her body tilting dangerously toward the ground. She squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for impact.

But impact never came.

Instead, strong arms caught her. Pulled her back. Her spine met a solid chest, and a hand gripped her waist, steadying her.

An unfamiliar scent filled her nostrils, something expensive and woodsy, completely different from Leo’s clean, subtle smell.

She blinked, disoriented, and looked up.

Then back.

The guy behind her was young, maybe mid-twenties, with black hair and striking blue eyes. He was handsome, the kind of handsome that made people stare. And he was smiling down at her, his hand still on her waist.

"You okay?" he asked, voice warm with amusement. "Gotta watch where you’re going, beautiful."

Bella’s eyes widened. "I—thank you. Sorry. I wasn’t looking."

"No apology needed." His smile widened. "Best collision I’ve had all day."

Meanwhile—

Leo had been walking with long strides. Then he realized.

She wasn’t following. He stopped and turned around.

And his heart nearly burst open.

A boy. A stranger. Holding Bella by the waist. Pulling her against him. Smiling down at her like she was something precious.

His wife. In another man’s arms.

Something dark and primal ignited in Leo’s chest. His vision tunneled. His hands curled into fists at his sides. The bandaged knuckles protested, but he didn’t feel it.

He was moving before he decided to.

Long, powerful strides ate up the distance between them. His eyes locked on that hand on her waist, that unfamiliar hand touching what was his.

He reached them. Grabbed Bella’s arm. Pulled her sharply against his own body.

Mine.

The word screamed in every cell of his being.

Bella stumbled into him, her hands pressing against his chest. For a moment, she looked up at him, those brown eyes wide and surprised.

Then something shifted in her expression.

Hurt. Anger. Defiance.

She pushed against his chest. Broke free from his grip. Stepped back.

"Thank you again," she said to the stranger, her voice steady despite everything. "I appreciate it."

The blue-eyed guy looked between them, clearly sensing tension, but smiled easily. "Anytime, beautiful. See you around."

He walked away, glancing back once with a grin.

Bella didn’t watch him go. She turned and walked ahead of Leo.

Past him. Without looking at him. Without waiting.

Leo stood frozen, her rejection cutting deeper than any blade.

She walked ahead, her steps quick but unsteady. Her head was pounding now, a dull, insistent throb behind her eyes. Her body ached from head to toe. Sleeping on the cold floor was catching up with her, every muscle protesting.

But she kept walking.

She didn’t feel good. She felt sick. Tired. Sore. And so, so tired of the silence between them.

Behind her, Leo followed.