His innocent wife is a dangerous hacker. Chapter 837

Jay quietly glanced at Leo before following his brother’s line of sight.

A small smile slowly appeared on his face.

Across the garden, Bella was kneeling beside Nonna in the warm afternoon sunlight. The golden rays filtered through the leaves of the old oak tree, casting dappled shadows across the grass like scattered pieces of gold. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers and fresh earth. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, carrying with it the distant sound of birdsong.

The two of them were surrounded by colorful flowers, tiny clay pots, and rows of freshly planted herbs. Marigolds, lavender, rosemary, and chamomile grew in neat lines, their leaves glistening with droplets of water from the morning watering.

Bella’s brown hair had slipped over one shoulder as she carefully pressed the soil around a small lavender plant with her delicate fingers. Her movements were gentle, precise, full of care. Her brow was furrowed in concentration, and her lips were pressed together in a soft, determined line.

Nonna sat beside her on a little gardening stool, looking unusually energetic. Her hands moved with practiced ease as she guided Bella through the steps. Her fingers, though wrinkled with age, were steady.

Nonna said, gently taking Bella’s hand. "No, no, not like that. When you plant herbs used for skincare, you have to loosen the soil first. The roots need room to breathe. Otherwise, they’ll choke. You have to be gentle with them, like you’re tucking a baby into bed."

Bella immediately nodded. Her eyes were focused, her expression serious. "I understand, Nonna."

She carefully followed every instruction, her beautiful eyes sparkling with curiosity. She pressed the soil just the way Nonna had shown her, her fingers working with gentle precision. Her tongue peeked out slightly from the corner of her mouth as she concentrated.

Nonna continued proudly, pointing toward another row of herbs. "And this one is one of my greatest secrets."

Bella blinked. "Really?"

Nonna leaned closer as if she were about to reveal the greatest treasure in the world. "I extract oil from these flowers using a slow cold infusion. No machines. No shortcuts. Just patience. It takes weeks, but the result is unlike anything you can buy in a store. The oil retains all the natural properties of the flowers, the scent, the healing qualities, the soul of the plant itself."

Bella listened so attentively that she looked like the most obedient student in the world. Her chin rested on her hand, her eyes fixed on Nonna’s face, not wanting to miss a single word.

"What happens after that?" she asked.

Nonna’s eyes sparkled. "Then comes the blending."

She moved her hands as she explained. "You have to know exactly how much rose oil, lavender, chamomile, and jasmine to combine. One extra drop can completely change the fragrance. One drop too many, and it becomes overwhelming. One drop too few, and it fades too quickly. It’s an art. A beautiful, delicate art. You have to feel it in your bones, not just measure it with numbers."

Bella gasped quietly. "That’s amazing..."

Nonna declared proudly. "And don’t even get me started on face masks. My honey and herbal clay mask has been my bestseller for over thirty years. Women come from all over the city just to buy it. I’ve had customers offer me ridiculous amounts of money for the recipe, but I’ve never sold it. It’s mine. And now..." She looked at Bella meaningfully, her eyes soft and warm. "...it will be yours."

Bella looked at her with a smile, feeling Nonna was so cute. "Nonna... you’re incredible."

Nonna shamelessly nodded, a satisfied smile on her face. "I know."

William, who was lying comfortably on a nearby recliner enjoying the pleasant sunshine, lowered the newspaper resting on his chest. The afternoon light fell across his weathered face, softening his features. He watched the scene unfold with quiet contentment.

His eyes wandered toward the two women.

Seeing Bella listening with such genuine interest made a gentle smile appear on his face.

She never pretended. Whenever someone taught her something, she listened with her whole heart, making the other person feel important. That innocent sincerity was exactly why everyone adored her.

Suddenly, Nonna grabbed Bella’s hands dramatically.

Nonna said, her voice becoming unusually serious. "Bella."

Bella immediately straightened. "Y-Yes?"

Nonna nodded with absolute determination. "You are my only hope."

Bella blinked. "My... only hope?"

Nonna nodded vigorously. "You must inherit my beauty business. My herbal oils." She squeezed Bella’s hands tighter.

"My handmade face masks."

"My secret recipes."

"My loyal customers."

Bella looked completely overwhelmed. "Me?"

Nonna nodded firmly. "Yes! I’ve already decided. You’ll continue everything I’ve built. You’ll carry on my legacy. You’ll make sure my recipes don’t die with me."

Bella’s expression shifted from surprise to quiet determination. She nodded earnestly. "I’ll do my best."

Nonna’s eyes softened. "I know you will, sweet girl. I know you will."

She patted Bella’s hand gently before turning back to the herbs. "Now, let me show you how to harvest lavender properly. It’s all about the angle of the cut. You have to cut at a slight angle to encourage new growth. Straight cuts can damage the plant and stunt its growth. Watch closely."

Nonna demonstrated with a small pair of shears, her movements quick and precise.

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"Bro..."

Jay’s voice was soft, almost hesitant, as he placed his hand on Leo’s shoulder. His fingers trembled slightly, like he was afraid Leo would shrug him off.

Leo turned to look at him.

Jay’s eyes were filled with tears. They glistened in the afternoon light, threatening to spill over. His jaw was tight, his lips pressed together, trying to hold back the flood of emotion threatening to break free.

He never cried. No matter what happened, no matter how much stress or pain he endured, Jay always kept his composure. He always smiled, always joked, always pretended everything was fine. He was the one who lifted others up, who made them laugh, who distracted them from their pain.

But now, standing in front of his brother, he couldn’t hold it back anymore.

He couldn’t bear Leo’s coldness. The silence and distance. The way Leo looked through him like he wasn’t there. The way he walked away whenever Jay entered a room. The way his gray eyes held nothing but ice when they met his.

Seeing the tears in his brother’s eyes, Leo’s heart melted. The ice around his heart cracked, just a little.

Leo asked, his voice still cold. "What?"

Jay’s voice cracked. His shoulders shook. "Bro... please talk to me. I can’t stand your coldness. I can’t stand you ignoring me. I know I made a mistake. I know I should have told you the truth earlier. I know I betrayed your trust. But please, please just talk to me. I miss you. I miss my brother. I miss the way things used to be."

Leo was silent for a moment.

Then, unexpectedly, he asked, "Isn’t I’m talking to you?"

Jay’s eyes widened.

Leo was standing here, looking at him, responding to him. If he truly didn’t want to talk to Jay, he would have walked away the moment Jay placed his hand on his shoulder. He would have shrugged him off. He would have left without a word.

But he didn’t.

Jay’s tears spilled over.

He lunged forward and wrapped his arms around Leo, hugging him tightly. His arms locked around Leo’s shoulders, his face buried in his chest.

Leo stiffened for a moment. His body went rigid. Then, slowly, his hand came up and patted Jay’s back.

Jay refused to let go.

He buried his face in Leo’s shoulder, his body shaking with silent sobs. His fingers gripped the fabric of Leo’s shirt like he was afraid Leo would disappear.

Jay whispered, his voice muffled. "I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, bro. I should have trusted you. I should have told you everything. I was just so scared. I thought you would hate me. I thought you would see me differently. I thought I would lose you."

Leo’s hand stilled on his back.

Then he pulled Jay closer.

Leo said quietly, his voice rough but warm. "It’s okay. I forgive you."

Jay held on tighter. "I missed you," he choked out. "I missed you so much. Every day. Every time you walked past me without looking. Every time you left the room when I entered. I felt like I was losing you, and I didn’t know how to fix it."

Leo’s hand moved in slow, soothing circles on Jay’s back. "I know," he said. "I missed you too."

Jay pulled back slightly, his eyes red and swollen. "You did?"

Leo looked at him. His gray eyes were soft now, the ice gone.

"You’re my brother," he said simply. "I will always miss you."

Jay’s face crumpled, and he pulled Leo into another hug.

Jay whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "I love you, bro."

Leo’s arms tightened around him.