His innocent wife is a dangerous hacker.-Chapter 627 Change

He pressed his palms to his face, groaning.

"Gosh, I’m getting mad at myself just talking about this. I know I shouldn’t change myself for anyone. I’ve given that advice to people before—’be yourself, don’t let anyone tell you who to be’—and now here I am, changing the one thing that’s been me for a decade because my boyfriend made one comment and I spiraled."

His hands dropped, revealing red cheeks and frustrated eyes.

"I can’t explain it. I don’t even know if I’m explaining it. It sounds stupid. It is stupid. I’m being stupid—"

"Jay." Bella crossed the space between them and placed her hands on his shoulders, steadying him. Her heels made her almost as tall as him, her face level with his. "Jay. Look at me."

He met her eyes, still flustered, still uncertain.

She waited until his breathing evened out, until the panic in his gaze settled into something calmer. Then she smiled– warm, sisterly, full of the kind of love that came from knowing someone deeply, from watching them grow, from seeing the person they were trying to become.

"I get it," she said softly. "I really, really do."

He blinked. "You do?"

"I know you’re doing this because you want to impress Jace. And there’s nothing wrong with that." She squeezed his shoulders gently, feeling the tension beneath her fingers. "When we love someone, when we care about them, we want to be our best self in front of them. We want them to see us the way we see ourselves. Or the way we want to see ourselves."

Jay listened, some of the tension leaving his frame.

"You’re not losing yourself, Jay. You’re becoming more of yourself. More layers. More depth." She looked at him, really looked, taking in the dark hair, the sharp suit, the man standing before her. "The pink was one version of you. A wonderful, joyful, unforgettable version. And this," she gestured at his hair, his suit, his whole transformed appearance, "this is another version. Neither is fake. Neither is wrong. They’re just different seasons. Different ways of being the same person."

His eyes were bright now, something flickering behind them.

"You’re not the same anymore," she continued. "You’ve grown. You’ve changed. And that’s okay. That’s how it’s supposed to be. The guy with pink hair who made everyone laugh, he’s still in there. But now there’s also this man. A man who’s ready to be taken seriously. A man who wants to be seen as dangerous and sexy, who wants to stand beside someone like Jace and not feel like the kid brother."

Jay’s breath hitched.

"And that’s not changing yourself for someone else, Jay. That’s letting yourself grow because of someone else. Because they make you want to be more. Because they see something in you that you’re finally ready to see in yourself."

He stared at her for a long, long moment.

Then, slowly, a smile appeared across his face. Not his usual grin, the one he used to deflect, to joke, to hide behind. Something softer. Something real.

"When did you get so wise, Bella Bell?" he asked, his voice rough.

She grinned, the tension breaking. "I’ve always been wise. You were just distracted by my cute face."

He laughed loudly. "That is... actually true. Very true. Completely true."

She pulled him into a hug, squeezing tight. Her cheek pressed against his chest, his arms wrapped around her shoulders. He smelled different, something subtle and clean, not the loud cologne he used to wear. Another change. Another small step into this new version of himself.

"You look amazing, Jay," she murmured against his jacket. "And Jace is going to lose his mind when he sees you."

He pulled back, looking down at her. "You think so?"

"I know so." She stepped back, giving him space, looking him up and down with sisterly pride. "Now come on." She grabbed her small clutch from the couch, a sleek gold envelope that matched her earrings. "We have a dinner to get to. And you have a boyfriend to make speechless."

Jay’s smile widened. He caught her hand, lacing his fingers through hers, and tugged her toward the door.

"After you, wise one."

She laughed, the sound bright and happy, and let him lead her out into the evening.

When they reached the car, Jay stepped ahead and opened the door for her with a little flourish, like a gentleman from an old movie.

Bella smiled widely at him, her heart warming at the gesture. "Why, thank you, kind sir."

"My pleasure, madam." He gave a mock bow.

She slid into the seat, smoothing her dress beneath her, and he closed the door gently before walking around to the other side. The car dipped slightly as he settled in beside her, and the soft click of his seatbelt followed.

The driver pulled away smoothly, the city lights beginning to blur past the windows.

"Oh! Bella Bell, I forgot to say something." Jay turned toward her, his expression suddenly serious.

Bella looked at him, confused. "What?"

A slow grin spread across his face, that familiar, playful Jay grin, even if the hair was different. "Did I say you look very beautiful today? Because you do. Like, dangerously beautiful. My brother is going to take one look at you and forget how to function."

Bella’s cheeks flushed. She reached over and pinched his cheeks, pulling them gently. "You’re ridiculous."

"I’m honest!" he protested, his words muffled by her grip. "He’s going to walk in, see you, and just—" He made a sound like a computer crashing. "System failure. Blue screen. No thoughts, only Bella."

She laughed, releasing his cheeks. "You’re such a flirt."

"Only with my sister-in-law. It’s a sacred duty."

She shook her head, still smiling, and looked out the window as the car wound through the city streets.

But she couldn’t help touching her lips, checking that the red was still perfect.

Just in case he was right.

Meanwhile, Leo went straight to the dinner.

The banquet hall was already alive with noise, laughter, clinking glasses, the low hum of conversation. Jace stood near the bar, talking with some of the executives, his posture relaxed but his eyes scanning the room every few seconds. Others had already arrived, settling into their seats, ordering drinks, enjoying the rare break from work.

But there was no sign of Jay.

No sign of Bella.

Leo’s jaw tightened. He’d come straight from the office, still in his dark suit, the top button of his shirt undone, tie loosened just enough to be dangerous. He didn’t bother with greetings, didn’t bother with small talk. He walked past the tables, past the people who turned to look at him, and went straight to the corner bar.

He sat on the tall stool, his back to the room, and ordered.

The whiskey came, amber liquid, one ice cube. He lifted the glass, letting it catch the low light, and took a slow sip. The warmth spread through his chest, but it didn’t settle the restlessness coiled in his muscles.

Where were they?