His innocent wife is a dangerous hacker.-Chapter 638 Are you really changed?

Oh.

Dom liked Hazel.

He really, really liked her.

And Hazel let him steal her food. Let him stay in her guest room. She didn’t push his hand away when it brushed hers. She called him safe. She promised to protect him.

She didn’t seem to mind any of it. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Bella’s eyes widened. Her heart raced. She wanted to jump up and scream. She needed to tell Scarlett. Scarlett would lose her mind. This was the best thing that had happened since, since—

Excitement bubbled up in her chest as she looked at Hazel and Dom with shining, loving eyes. They were perfect. They were so perfect. She could already see it, the wedding, the babies, the whole future.

Dom noticed her staring. His smile faltered. Why was she looking at him like that? He knew Bella had friendly, sisterly affection for him, but if Leo or Hazel saw her staring at him like he was the most adorable thing on the planet, they would definitely misunderstand.

Especially Leo.

Dom cleared his throat. "Bella? Are you okay?"

Bella blinked, her cheeks flushing. "What? Yes. Fine. Perfect. Just thinking."

"About what?"

"Nothing." She grabbed her coffee cup, hiding her smile. "Just... nothing."

Hazel looked between them, suspicious. "Bella?"

"Really. Nothing."

Dom and Hazel exchanged a glance. Neither believed her.

Bella stayed for another hour, talking about nothing and everything. She asked Dom about Jason’s season, about where he was traveling. She asked Hazel about the garden, about the flowers she’d arranged so carefully in the vase. She watched them the whole time, cataloging every glance, every touch, every moment.

When she finally stood to leave, Dom walked her to the door.

"Jason’s flight is tonight," she said quietly. "Are you going to see him off?"

Dom nodded. "Hazel’s driving me. She said it’s safer than taking a cab."

"She’s taking care of you."

"She’s taking care of the situation," Dom corrected, though inwardly he was very happy to get her care. His chest felt warm just thinking about it.

Bella smiled. "Dom."

"Yeah?"

"You should tell her."

His face went red. "Tell who what?"

"Hazel. How you feel." She patted his arm. "She feels it too. I can tell."

Dom opened his mouth. Closed it. Opened it again. "I don’t, we’re not, it’s just—"

Bella laughed softly. "Goodbye, Dom. Text me if you need anything."

She stepped into the elevator, still smiling.

When the doors closed, she pulled out her phone immediately.

Scarlett, she typed. You are not going to believe what I just found out.

However, Scarlett didn’t reply. Probably because it was office hours and she was buried in work. Bella stared at her phone for a moment, watching the message sit there with no response, and sighed. She’d have to wait. She put her phone away and went to the mall.

The afternoon sun streamed through the glass ceiling, casting warm light over the polished floors and bustling crowds. She’d come here to clear her head after visiting Hazel and Dom, but now that she was here, she realized she hadn’t bought anything for herself in a long time. Not really. Not just for fun.

She wandered through the shops, letting her feet guide her. A soft blue dress caught her eye first, light, airy, the kind of thing she could wear for a casual lunch or a walk in the garden. She bought it without trying it on. Then she found a box of expensive chocolates for Jay and Jace, they had a sweet tooth, both of them, and a new leather-bound notebook for Jace, he seemed like the type to jot down his ideas.

For Leo, she found a watch. Simple. Elegant. Black face, silver band, nothing flashy. She could imagine it on his wrist, could imagine him looking at it during meetings, thinking of her.

She handed the bags to her bodyguards, two men who followed at a respectful distance, blending into the crowd but always watching. "Thank you," she said, as she always did. They nodded, accustomed to her politeness by now.

She was about to head toward the exit when a voice stopped her.

"Isabella."

The voice was familiar. Too familiar.

Bella turned slowly, her heart suddenly beating faster. Her bodyguards stiffened beside her, their eyes sharp, scanning for threats.

Alexa stood a few feet away.

She looked different. Completely different. The Alexa Bella remembered was always perfect, hair styled, makeup flawless, clothes expensive and revealing. But this Alexa wore a soft pink dress that covered her shoulders and fell to her knees. Simple. Clean. Her hair was loose, falling in natural waves around her face. And her face, her face was bare. No makeup at all. Bella could see the faint freckles across her nose, the pale skin under her eyes, the slight darkness there, like she hadn’t been sleeping well.

She looked almost soft.

And she was pushing a baby stroller.

Bella’s bodyguards tensed, ready to move, but Bella held up a hand. "It’s okay," she said quietly. "Wait here."

She stepped forward slowly, her eyes on Alexa’s face.

"Yes?" she asked, her voice careful.

Alexa’s eyes were red-rimmed, like she’d been crying recently. Dark circles shadowed them, the kind that came from long nights and restless sleep. Her hands were clasped in front of her, nervous, twisting together.

"I’m sorry," Alexa said, her voice soft, almost hesitant. "For what happened before. For everything I did. I’m really sorry."

Bella studied her. The Alexa she knew had never apologized for anything. She’d manipulated, schemed, hurt people without a second thought. But this Alexa looked like she meant it. Her voice was different. Soft and unsure. Like she was saying the words for the first time and didn’t know if she was allowed.

"Are you really changed?" Bella asked, her voice quiet. She kept her eyes on Alexa’s face, watching for any flicker of the old cruelty, the old calculation.

Alexa’s eyes welled up. She blinked quickly, looking down at her hands. "I’m trying," she whispered. "I know I don’t deserve forgiveness. I know I hurt you. I hurt Leo. I hurt everyone. But I’m trying to be better. For him." She glanced down at the stroller.

Bella’s gaze followed hers. The stroller was sleek, expensive, with a soft white canopy shielding the inside from the sun. Through the mesh window, she could see a tiny hand, fingers curled into a fist.

"Do you want to see my baby?" Alexa asked, her voice tentative, almost shy.