His innocent wife is a dangerous hacker. Chapter 872 Convocation (2)

William chuckled softly. "That’s simply how life works. We all arrive one day and one day, we leave." He lovingly cupped her cheek. "But when that day comes, I don’t want you to remember me with tears. I want you to remember my laughter. The times we drank tea together. The way I annoyed Leo and the boys and the way we all sat together as one family."

He smiled with peaceful eyes. "If you ever miss me, then smile. Because that’s exactly how I’d like to live in your memories."

Bella’s eyes became watery. She carefully hugged him once more. "...I promise."

William gently kissed the top of her head. "That’s my girl."

One by one, the rest of the family and friends gathered around them.

Lina proudly adjusted Bella’s graduation cap before kissing her forehead. "My daughter graduated." There wasn’t a trace of her usual coldness today. Only pride.

Alessandro smiled as he handed Bella a bouquet of beautiful white lilies. "Congratulations. You’ve worked incredibly hard."

Nonna immediately pulled Bella into another hug. "My beautiful Bella! I knew you would do it!" She secretly slipped a tiny handmade herbal perfume into Bella’s hand. "I made this for today. So whenever you wear it, you’ll remember your Nonna."

Bella laughed happily before hugging her once again. "I’ll treasure it forever."

Jay threw one arm around Bella’s shoulders while Jace stood quietly beside them. "Our little genius became famous," Jay teased dramatically. "I always knew she was smarter than all of us."

Jace smiled faintly. "I don’t think anyone is surprised."

Winter and Mira soon joined them, both wearing matching graduation gowns. The three friends hugged tightly, laughing as they remembered sleepless nights before exams, endless assignments and all the moments they had thought graduation would never arrive.

Standing a little apart from everyone else, Leo quietly watched Bella. She moved from one family member to another, smiling, laughing, hugging everyone with genuine happiness shining in her eyes. Seeing her like this, healthy and confident, surrounded by people who loved her was enough to make his own heart feel full.

Bella suddenly looked around before her eyes found him.

Their gazes met across the crowd. For a few quiet seconds, the noisy celebration around them seemed to disappear. There was only the two of them.

Bella smiled softly before gathering the edges of her graduation gown and walking toward him.

Leo simply stood there, his hands tucked into his pockets, watching her approach with that calm, gentle smile that belonged only to her.

When she finally stopped in front of him, she proudly lifted her graduation cap off her head and held it up with a playful grin.

"Look."

Leo’s eyes focused on the cap before returning to her face. A melodious chuckle escaped his lips. "I see. You graduated."

Bella nodded proudly. "I did." She lifted her chin slightly. "And I didn’t disappoint you."

"You never could," he answered without hesitation.

Those simple words made her smile even brighter.

Bella looked around before leaning closer. "Mr. Moretti."

"Hm?"

"Come here."

Leo raised an eyebrow. "I’m already here."

"No..." She laughed softly. "Bend down a little."

Without questioning her, Leo leaned down until they were almost at eye level.

Bella placed both hands behind her back, looking at him with sparkling eyes.

"So," she began proudly, "as you told me, I focused on my studies."

Leo nodded. "I know."

"I built my career."

Another nod.

"I developed my platform. I improved my skills. I became someone who can stand beside you proudly."

Her smile became softer. "And..." She gently poked his chest with one finger. "...I kept every promise I made."

Leo’s eyes warmed with affection. "You did."

Bella bit her lip before asking in an adorably serious voice, "So... Mr. Moretti... will you agree to have babies with me now?" Although she knew chances were low, she still wanted to try.

For a moment, Leo simply stared at her.

Then a low laugh escaped him, full of helpless affection. Without warning, he reached forward and gently pinched her waist.

Bella immediately squeaked. "Leo!"

She tried to move away, but he simply wrapped one arm around her waist and pulled her closer instead.

"You little negotiator," he murmured with amusement. "You planned this conversation, didn’t you?"

Bella’s cheeks turned pink. "...Maybe."

Leo looked into her bright eyes for a long moment. The afternoon sun caught the gold flecks in her brown irises, making them shine like warm honey. Her graduation gown rustled softly in the gentle breeze, and a few strands of her hair had escaped from beneath her cap, framing her face in soft waves.

She was asking him to have a family with her.

His heart filled with a tenderness that words could never fully capture.

"I never said I don’t want to start a family," he replied. "I was just waiting for you to grow up."

Bella’s lips curved into a playful smile. "Is that a yes?"

Leo’s arm tightened around her waist, pulling her closer until there was no space left between them, his thumb gently tracing circles on her hip. "How could I ever say no to you?"

"Leo..." Bella felt a bit emotional.

"However," he lifted one hand and gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, "I want you to understand something. I don’t care how many children we have. One, two, three or none at all. My happiness doesn’t depend on that. It depends on you. On us. On waking up every morning with you by my side."

Bella bit her lower lip, her eyes glistening.

"But if you want to try, then we’ll try together. We’ll explore every option, every possibility and we’ll do it at your pace. Because the journey matters more than the destination."

Bella let out a shaky breath. "I love you so much."

Leo leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. "I love you more."

She laughed through her tears. "That’s not possible."

"It is," he said simply. "Because I’ve had more time to love you. I’ve been loving you since before you even knew what love was."

Bella buried her face in his chest, her arms wrapping around his waist. The graduation cap fell to the ground but neither of them noticed.

Around them, the celebration continued.

Jay’s voice suddenly rang out from behind them. "Should we give them privacy?"

Dominique immediately spoke. "No, don’t interrupt! This is the romantic climax of the day!"

And others laughed.

Bella pulled back, her cheeks flushed but her smile bright. She looked up at Leo with sparkling eyes. "Maybe we should celebrate properly tonight."

Leo’s lips curved. "I was counting on it."