anwhile, William Wilson sat alone behind his heavy mahogany desk, the evening city lights glowing softly behind him. His glasses rested low on his nose, and his trembling fingers tightened around a single sheet of paper.
A DNA report.
99.9% match.
His breath escaped him in a shaky whisper.
"Bella... my Bella... my granddaughter..."
The words felt unreal, too enormous to stay inside his chest. For a mont the office spun, not from shock, but from the overwhelming rush of happiness that washed over him like a tidal wave.
He had spent years believing he had lost his own son forever.
He had two boys.
Jasper, the responsible elder one, married, stable, father to three sons who grew up under William’s careful guidance, though they were cunning by nature and always coveted his property.
And then Finley.
His second boy.
Stubborn, brilliant, emotional... and destroyed over a woman he loved. Their argunt that night had been terrible. Finley had lost control, obsessed with an unknown woman, and after the fight he had run away. He never returned. Despite every resource William poured into the search, despite every investigator hired, Finley covered his tracks like a ghost who wished to stay unfound.
For years, William carried that guilt, waiting for a closure that never ca and fearing he would die without seeing his son again. His son had passed away long ago, a truth he learned far too late. So when today’s report arrived, he was already sure Bella was his granddaughter. The paper only confird what his heart had felt.
William locked himself in his room for a week, grieving a son he never got to hold again.
But now this...
This 99.9% match...
This sweet little girl he had t, gifted and burning with the sa passion for programming and hacking as him and his younger son, the brilliant hacker he never dread would be his own blood...
She was his blood. His son’s child. His granddaughter.
His eyes burned as he pressed the paper to his chest. A broken laugh escaped him, part joy, part heartbreak.
Jessica Aldridge.
He rembered her na on the report.
He closed his eyes, jaw tightening.
He had learned everything.
What she put Bella through. The fury that rose inside him was deadly, uncontrollable.
He had attacked her business for weeks without rcy. He tore apart her deals. He froze her accounts. He ruined her networks one by one and then, during his investigations, he noticed sothing surprising.
Another force was destroying Jessica at the exact sa ti.
Almost like a shadow moving with him.
Only today did he understand the truth.
Leonardo Moretti.
That boy was striking Jessica too.
William exhaled slowly, rubbing his temple. A strange emotion settled in his chest, a mix of respect, curiosity, and a warmth he couldn’t quite na.
"Fate is strange..." William murmured, a small smile tugging at his mouth.
He looked once more at the DNA report.
At that shining number.
99.9%.
Proof that his family wasn’t entirely lost after all. His heart softened, and his eyes ward.
A sudden knock broke through his thoughts, sharp enough to make him straighten in his chair.
He quickly folded the DNA report and tucked it beneath a stack of docunts, forcing his heartbeat to calm. His hand was still trembling when he said, "Co in."
The door opened with a soft click.
One of his most trusted assistants stepped inside, holding a dark blue file and bowing respectfully.
"Sir," he said quietly, "the report you requested. Everything you asked for is compiled inside."
William nodded and extended his hand, his expression returning to its usual stern calm even though his chest still ached with the weight of what he had just learned.
The assistant placed the file in his palm with careful precision.
"Good," William murmured, tapping the folder lightly with his thumb. "You may leave."
"Yes, sir."
The man bowed once more and slipped out, closing the door behind him.
The office fell quiet again.
Only the soft ticking of the antique clock filled the room, steady and patient.
William exhaled, opened the new file, and his eyes sharpened as he read.
It was a detailed investigation report about Bella.
·༻𐫱༺·
By the ti the arrangents were complete, the sky had darkened into early evening, and the bodyguards had prepared everything exactly as Leo instructed while everyone else rested.
The campsite glowed softly under the deepening sky. Warm golden lights were strung between tall trees like fallen stars caught in their branches. The grass felt cool beneath everyone’s feet, low tables were arranged in a cozy circle, soft cushions scattered around, and the faint crackle of firewood spread a gentle warmth through the air. The whole place looked peaceful, almost dreamy.
When everyone gathered, Bella stepped into the soft glow of the lights, wearing a red dress that swayed around her knees whenever she moved. Her hair fell in loose waves down her shoulders, catching the warm lights like threads of honey. She looked almost breathless with happiness as she took in the decorations, the soft music, the gentle breeze brushing her skin, and all the people she loved waiting just for her.
A large chocolate cake sat in the middle of the table, the candles flickering and reflecting in Bella’s bright eyes. Leo stood behind her, one hand resting lightly on her waist.
Everyone gathered closer.
"Co on, birthday girl!" Scarlett squealed, gently pushing Bella toward the cake.
Bella giggled shyly, her cheeks glowing. She clasped her hands together and leaned forward.
Just as she blew out the candles, chaos erupted behind her.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BELLA BELLALLLL... BELLAAAAA!"
Jay, Dominique, and Jason roared into the loudest, most dramatic song anyone had ever heard.
The rest of the group instantly slapped their hands over their ears.
"God save us," Casper muttered.
"Why are they screaming like broken radio?" Jace whispered, staring at them as if they were creatures from another planet.
Even Scarlett groaned, pressing her palm to her forehead. "Can soone unplug them?"
Bella laughed so hard she had to lean against Leo, her shoulders shaking with joy. The noise was chaotic, ridiculous, and absolutely perfect.
Leo looked down at her, unable to hide the softness in his eyes. He pulled her closer.
"Happy birthday, Bunny," he whispered near her ear, his voice low and warm, the kind that always made her heartbeat tremble.
Bella looked up at him, her eyes sparkling like stars floating in water.
This...
all of this...
felt like a dream she never wanted to wake from.
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