His innocent wife is a dangerous hacker. Chapter 861 I’m your mother

A week passed quietly.

Bella’s physical health improved day by day. The color had returned to her cheeks and she no longer felt dizzy when she stood up too quickly. Her body was healing.

Only one thing remained.

Some nights she slept peacefully, her breathing slow and even, her face relaxed against the pillow. Other nights she would wake up trembling, clinging to Leo until the fear slowly disappeared. He would hold her, whisper reassurances and stay awake until her breathing evened out again.

One evening, while they were having dinner together, Leo gently brought up the topic of college.

"Your classes are starting next week," Leo said.

Bella nodded. "They are."

Leo looked at her calmly, his gray eyes steady. "For now... I think you should attend online. You’ve been through a lot. There is no need to rush."

Bella quietly listened before smiling. She reached across the table and gently held his hand.

"I know you’re worried. But... I don’t think I have any difficulty other than the nightmares. My mind is clear during the day. I can study. I can understand everything. I don’t want to hide at home forever."

Leo looked into her eyes for several long seconds. He could see the determination in her beautiful brown eyes.

Finally, he sighed softly. "We’ll decide after your next check-up."

Bella smiled sweetly. "Okay."

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Meanwhile, Miss J continued visiting Bella whenever she found time.

Sometimes she came alone. Sometimes she brought Freya and Theo with her. Freya chatted with Bella about college, books and random little things. Theo talked to her about music and guitar.

Slowly, Bella began looking forward to them. There was something peaceful about being with them.

Yet, every single time Miss J looked at Bella, she seemed as though she wanted to say something. Her lips would part and then close again. She would smile, then quietly change the topic.

It happened once...then twice.

Then so many times that Bella couldn’t ignore it anymore.

That evening, Bella mentioned it to Leo.

"...Leo?" Bella said softly.

"Hm?" Leo replied.

"Do you think Miss J wants to tell me something?"

Leo looked up from the documents in his hand. "What makes you think that?"

Bella thought for a moment. "I don’t know. She always looks at me like she’s holding something in her heart. Sometimes she opens her mouth... But then she doesn’t say anything. She just smiles." She lowered her eyes. "...I feel like she’s waiting for the right moment."

Leo quietly listened. A meaningful look briefly crossed his eyes. He already knew what that moment was but this wasn’t his truth to tell.

He gently closed the file in front of him. "If she wants to tell you... I’m sure she will."

Bella nodded thoughtfully. "...Maybe."

Two days later...

Bella received a phone call from Miss J. Her voice sounded unusually nervous.

"Bella... If you’re free... Could you come to my studio today? I’d like to talk to you."

Bella immediately agreed.

That afternoon, Leo drove her there himself.

Miss J was already waiting.

She smiled the moment Bella walked inside. "You came."

"Of course." Bella smiled back.

For a few moments, the three of them simply stood there.

Then Miss J looked toward Leo. There was obvious hesitation in her eyes.

"...May I..." She paused. "...talk to Bella alone?"

Leo instinctively looked at Bella. His protective instincts flared. After everything Bella had been through, leaving her alone, even for a short while, wasn’t easy.

Bella noticed his hesitation and gently squeezed his hand. "I’ll be okay."

Leo remained silent for a moment before finally giving a small nod. "I’ll be outside. If you need me..." He looked directly at Bella. "Just call."

Bella smiled reassuringly. "I will."

Leo gave Miss J one last respectful nod before quietly leaving the studio.

The door clicked shut behind him.

Silence settled over the room.

Now, only Bella and Miss J remained.

Miss J slowly clasped her hands together. She had rehearsed this conversation countless times. In front of the mirror...During sleepless nights.. While driving. While painting...She had imagined every possible reaction.

But now that the moment had finally arrived, every carefully prepared word had disappeared.

Her fingers tightened around each other. She lowered her eyes. Then looked back at Bella.

"...Would you like some tea?" she asked nervously.

Bella blinked before smiling softly. "...You’re trying to delay whatever you want to tell me."

Miss J let out a helpless laugh. "...Am I that obvious?"

Bella nodded with a gentle smile. "A little."

Miss J looked down once again. Her heart beat so loudly she could almost hear it herself. She took a slow breath. Then another. Trying to gather enough courage.

"Bella..." She paused, her voice trembling. "There’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you for a very long time."

Bella’s expression softened. "Whatever it is, you can tell me."

Miss J’s eyes filled with tears. She reached out and took Bella’s hands in hers. Her fingers were trembling.

"I’m your mother."

Bella’s eyes widened. Her hand instinctively pulled away from Miss J’s grasp, as though the touch itself had become too much to bear. She took a step back, her body stiff, her mind struggling to process what she had just heard.

Her hands began to shake.

Miss J’s heart shattered at the sight. Tears streamed down her face, but she didn’t reach out again. She simply stood there, her hands clasped together, her voice trembling as she continued.

"I know this is a shock," she said, her voice raw with emotion. "I know you must be confused and hurt and angry. And you have every right to be."

Bella shook her head slowly, her eyes fixed on Miss J’s face as though seeing her for the first time.

"You... you’re my mother?" Her voice was barely a whisper.

Miss J nodded, tears spilling down her cheeks. "Yes. I’m your mother. Your biological mother. I gave birth to you."

Bella’s breath caught in her throat. Her mind flashed images of Jessica.

Bella’s hands began to tremble. She pressed them against her chest, trying to steady her racing heart.

"Why?" she whispered. "Then why did you leave me?" If she was her mother, why would she leave her alone? She only had her father and grandma by her side, and after they left her in the accident, she was taken care of by an abusive, cruel uncle. Why didn’t she come to her? Why didn’t she even come to see her? Did she not like her?

Miss J’s face fell. Tears poured down her cheeks as she took a shaky breath.