"Thank you," Reyna bead. "Though my real intention today was to invite you to see it once it’s built."
Leo nodded without hesitation. "I’ll be there."
"And..." Reyna’s expression turned a little bashful, her gaze lowering for a mont before eting his again. "Bring Bella with you."
He understood the aning behind her words instantly—she didn’t just want him to co, she wanted Bella to see the ho she was building.
Leo’s lips curved into a small, knowing smile. "I’ll make sure she’s there."
Reyna’s shoulders eased when he agreed, and for a mont the air in the ward felt lighter. She glanced at Emilio again, brushing a hand over his arm in that absent, loving way of soone who had done it for decades.
"You know," she said quietly, "when he wakes and calls for Bella, there’s a softness in his voice I haven’t heard in years. I think... she’s left a deep mark on his heart."
Leo’s gaze followed hers to the man in the bed. "That’s because she doesn’t just save people with her hands—she does it with her heart too." The words left him before he could stop them, and the way Reyna’s eyes flicked to him made him realize how much truth he’d just confessed.
Reyna smiled knowingly. "You care for her a lot, don’t you?"
Leo didn’t answer imdiately, but his jaw relaxed slightly. "She’s... important."
"Then don’t waste that," Reyna said, her voice gentle but firm. "A girl like her won’t wait forever for soone to see her worth." Reyna knew about the relationship between Leo and Bella, since her daughter was always telling her that she would marry Leo once Bella divorced him.
His eyes darkened a shade, not in anger, but in a quiet acknowledgnt of the weight of her advice. "I’ll rember that," he said finally.
Reyna reached out and squeezed his hand, the way a mother might to a son. "And When the orphanage is ready, I want her to see the children smile. I think she’d love it there."
"She will," he promised, and his tone left no room for doubt.
Reyna gave him a warm look before settling back into her chair. "Go on now, Leonardo. You’ve done enough for us already today. I know you’re busy."
He inclined his head respectfully. "If you need anything—anything at all—call directly."
"I will," she said with a grateful smile. "Drive safe."
Leo took one last glance at Emilio, then turned toward the door. His footsteps were steady, but inside, Reyna’s words were still turning over in his mind.
He stepped out into the corridor. Only when he reached the elevator and the doors closed in front of him did he finally let the smallest curve tug at his lips.
When he reached the ground floor and stepped outside, the cool air of the evening brushed against him. Just as he was about to head toward the parking area, a voice called out.
"Are you Bella’s husband?"
Leo’s stride slowed, and his expression softened slightly from its usual sharp, unreadable mask. He gave a small nod. "Yes."
An older nurse approached him, her steps brisk but her eyes warm. "Can we talk sowhere?" she asked, her tone carrying a quiet urgency.
He studied her for a mont before nodding again, and she led him toward the hospital garden. The evening sun was sinking, and streaks of deep orange fell across his face, outlining the sharp planes of his jaw and catching in his eyes, making them look darker, more intense. Even the passing nurses who saw him glanced twice before looking away shyly.
They stopped beside a wooden bench under the shade of a large tree. "So," Leo said, his voice low and even, "what did you want to talk about privately?"
The woman clasped her hands together. "I’m Marla," she began.
His brows twitched slightly. "Alright...?" He was seconds away from impatience when her next words made him still.
"I’ve known Bella for so years now," Marla said gently.
Leo’s posture changed—still sharp, but his attention sharpened fully on her. "Go on."
"I only found out recently that you’re her husband," Marla continued, and her lips curved faintly. "I’m so happy for her. She’s finally out of that... hellhole. There was a ti she ca here often, but then she stopped visiting. When months passed without seeing her, I grew worried. I even went to check her old house, but it was locked up tight." Her voice wavered, and her eyes glistened with tears. "I’m so relieved she’s safe now."
Leo didn’t respond imdiately—there was a faint tightening in his chest instead, a flicker of sothing heavy he wouldn’t na.
"Please take care of her," Marla urged, her voice trembling. "She’s such a good, kind-hearted child. Always helping others without thinking twice about herself."
Leo’s gaze deepened, a faint crease forming between his brows.
Marla smiled sadly. "I wasn’t surprised at all when I heard she saved that couple the other day."
"Why?" he asked, though the corner of his mouth lifted slightly.
"Because she’s always been like that—brave when it cos to protecting others, but if it’s about her own problems... she keeps them to herself. She doesn’t like troubling anyone." Marla’s eyes softened even more. "That’s why I’m telling you this—take care of her, alright?"
Before Leo could answer, soone called for Nurse Marla from across the garden. She gave him a small wave, still smiling. "Don’t forget what I said," she reminded gently before hurrying away.
Leo stayed there for a while, standing under the fading glow of the sunset. The air slled faintly of hospital disinfectant mixed with the earthy scent of the garden, and for a mont, he didn’t move.
Only when the shadows began to stretch across the pavent did he slip his hands into his pockets, his long strides carrying him toward the parking lot. His reflection caught briefly in a glass door as he passed, but his mind wasn’t on his own image.
He walked toward his car in the quiet parking lot. Sliding into the driver’s seat, he paused for a mont, his hands resting on the steering wheel. His eyes, usually cold and unreadable, softened as Marla’s words replayed in his mind.
She really was kind... and innocent.
Not the kind of false innocence or politeness he had assud in the beginning, not an act to gain sympathy or make herself look good.
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