His innocent wife is a dangerous hacker. Chapter 896 Adoption

Seeing that Bella had no objection, the atmosphere in the garden slowly changed.

The tension that had everyone been feeling had disappeared, replaced by soft smiles and curious glances toward the little boy who was still holding Bella’s hand.

Lina was the first to approach him properly, crouching down and introducing herself with a warm, gentle voice that seemed to put Eli at ease. Soon everyone else followed. Jay, who had initially caused the biggest panic, was now completely fascinated by Eli and kept trying to make him laugh by pulling funny faces and making silly noises. Jason and Dominique immediately started talking to him as though they had known each other for years, asking about his favorite toys and what games he liked to play. Even the usually reserved members of the family softened around him, their usual guarded expressions melting into something warmer.

Eli, meanwhile, seemed completely overwhelmed by the sudden attention. He kept hiding behind Leo whenever someone new came close, his tiny fingers clutching Leo’s trousers like a lifeline. But every few minutes he would peek out and secretly smile when someone made him laugh, his small face lighting up with a shy, hesitant happiness. Bella found herself watching him constantly, her heart becoming softer with every little thing he did. When he accidentally called Jay "Tall Funny Uncle," Jay looked so proud that everyone burst out laughing, and Eli’s cheeks turned pink with embarrassment even as a tiny smile tugged at his lips.

Within the following days, Bella and Leo completed the necessary adoption formalities. Everything was handled carefully and legally, with Leo making sure every document was properly reviewed and Bella being involved in every important decision.

They never rushed Eli into accepting them as his parents. Instead, they let him become comfortable at his own pace, allowing him to understand that this was his home now and that nobody was going to take him away. They gave him space when he needed it and comfort when he sought it, always waiting for him to come to them rather than forcing him into anything.

And then, officially, Eli became their son.

Their little family suddenly looked different.

There was a tiny pair of shoes beside Bella and Leo’s shoes near the bedroom door. A small backpack appeared in the hallway, its bright color a cheerful contrast to the elegant decor. Little toys began finding their way into places where they absolutely did not belong, including one tiny dinosaur that somehow ended up inside Leo’s expensive briefcase.

Leo had discovered it during an important meeting and had stared at it for a full ten seconds before quietly placing it on his desk, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

The first morning after Eli officially became part of the family, Bella woke up to find him standing beside their bed, holding his favorite stuffed toy against his chest. His dark hair was sticking up in every direction and his eyes were still heavy with sleep, but there was a determined expression on his small face.

"Beautiful..."

Bella slowly opened her eyes.

"Hmm?"

"Can I sleep here?"

She blinked sleepily before looking at Leo.

Leo was already awake. He had been watching Eli for a few moments, his gray eyes soft in the dim morning light. He looked at the little boy for a few seconds before lifting the blanket.

"Come here."

Eli’s eyes immediately brightened.

He climbed onto the bed with surprising speed and curled himself between them, looking incredibly pleased with himself. His little body was warm and small and he immediately pressed himself against Bella’s side as though he had been doing it his whole life.

Bella smiled and gently pulled the blanket over him.

"You know, little boy, you have your own room."

Eli nodded seriously.

"I know."

"Then why are you here?"

He thought about it for a moment, his small brow furrowing as he considered the question.

"Because this room has both of you."

Bella’s heart melted instantly. The words were so simple, so honest, that they struck her with unexpected force. She looked at Leo, her eyes glistening.

Leo looked away, pretending the answer hadn’t affected him but Bella could see the way his jaw softened, the way his hand reached out to gently rest on Eli’s small back.

Bella reached over and kissed Eli’s forehead.

"Okay. You can stay here. You don’t have to ask us."

Eli smiled sleepily and snuggled closer, his tiny fingers curling into Bella’s sleeve.

Leo looked at the two of them and quietly shook his head.

"You’re already spoiling him."

Bella looked at him innocently.

"He’s our baby."

Leo’s expression softened. There was something in his eyes, a warmth that he rarely showed anyone, as he looked at the small boy between them.

But the moment Eli heard those words, his sleepy little eyes widened in complete disbelief. He immediately pushed himself upright between them, his tiny brows furrowing as though Bella had just made a very serious mistake.

"I am not baby, Beautiful!"

Bella blinked.

"What?"

Eli hurriedly cupped both of Bella’s cheeks with his tiny hands, gently squishing them as he tried to explain his extremely important point.

"I am big boy!"

Bella’s lips twitched.

"You’re a big boy?"

"Yes!"

He nodded so seriously that Bella almost burst out laughing.

"I am four!"

Leo raised an eyebrow.

"Four?"

Eli nodded firmly.

"Four is big."

Bella smiled.

"Okay, okay. Four is very big."

Eli seemed satisfied for approximately two seconds before continuing his explanation.

"Babies are little."

He held his hands close together, making the tiniest space between his palms.

"Very little."

Bella nodded solemnly.

"Very little."

"They can’t walk."

He shook his head dramatically.

"They just go..." Eli suddenly made a tiny baby noise. "Waaaaah!"

Bella covered her mouth, trying not to laugh. Her shoulders shook with the effort of holding it in.

Leo’s shoulders shook slightly, a rare sound of amusement escaping him.

Eli pointed at himself proudly.

"But I can walk."

He climbed down from the bed to demonstrate, his small feet padding against the floor.

"I can run!"

He took two tiny steps across the room, his movements surprisingly quick for such a small body.

"I can jump!"

He bounced once, landing with a soft thud.

"I can eat by myself!"

He pointed toward himself proudly, his chin lifted with confidence.

"And I can..." He paused, searching for another impressive achievement. His little face scrunched up in concentration.