Her head snapped up.
Isabella.
Not Bella. Not Bunny. Not any of the soft, loving nas he usually called her.
Isabella.
Formal. Distant. Cold.
Her eyes burned. Tears pricked at the corners, threatening to spill. Was he that angry? Angry enough to take away even her na?
He lowered his phone. Set it down. Still didn’t look at her directly.
"After breakfast, I’m taking you to the university." His voice was flat. Businesslike. "I hope you know which course you want to do. You’ll need to et with advisors, fill out paperwork. Get started."
Bella’s lips parted. Nothing ca out.
He stood, pushing his chair back. Straightened his jacket. Finally, briefly, his eyes flicked toward her, just a glance, unreadable, before looking away.
Then he walked out.
Bella sat alone at the table, her untouched breakfast growing cold, his words hanging in the air.
Isabella.
Not Bella.
She bit her lip hard, fighting the tears.
He was still angry.
And she didn’t know how to fix it.
She quickly got up from the table, her heart pounding.
Breakfast forgotten. Coffee untouched. She rushed upstairs, grabbing her bag from the chair and slipping on her shoes, simple flats, easy to move in. A quick check in the mirror. She looked pale. Worried. She pinched her cheeks lightly, trying to bring so color back.
Then she went down.
The car was already waiting outside, engine running. Through the tinted windows, she could see his silhouette, rigid, unmoving, staring out the opposite window.
She took a breath. Opened the door. Slid in beside him.
The driver pulled away smoothly, rging into morning traffic.
Leo didn’t look at her.
He was dressed in that perfect dark suit, his profile sharp against the window, his gaze fixed on the passing buildings. His injured hand rested on his thigh, bandaged knuckles hidden from view. The other hand lay on the center console, close to her, but not reaching.
Bella looked at that hand.
Then, slowly, carefully, she reached out.
Her fingers brushed against his. When he didn’t pull away, she slipped her hand into his, lacing their fingers together. His palm was warm. Familiar. The sa hand that had held her a thousand tis.
He didn’t look at her.
Didn’t squeeze back.
Didn’t acknowledge her touch at all.
Bella’s heart ached.
She pressed her fingertips lightly against his skin, rubbing small, gentle circles with her thumb. A silent apology. A plea. I’m here. I’m sorry. Please look at .
But he kept staring out the window.
Watching the city pass by. Watching anything but her.
She looked at his profile, the strong jaw, the straight nose, the way his brow furrowed slightly even now. So close. So far.
Her thumb kept moving. Small circles. Soft pressure. The only conversation he would allow.
The car drove on.
Neither of them spoke.
But she didn’t let go of his hand.
And he didn’t pull away.
That was sothing. She held onto it.
However, Bella’s focus shifted when the university view started appearing through the window.
Her eyes widened as the car approached the campus. It wasn’t what she expected at all.
Greenfield Oscar University.
Towering iron gates, ornate and black, opened smoothly for their car. Beyond them stretched a sprawling landscape of manicured lawns, ancient oak trees, and buildings that looked more like palaces than educational institutions. Stone architecture with ivy climbing the walls. Arched windows catching the morning sun. Students walking along cobblestone paths, so in casual clothes, so in uniforms that spoke of tradition and prestige.
It was beautiful.
It was intimidating.
Bella’s thumb stilled on Leo’s hand as she pressed closer to the window, taking it all in.
A fountain in the central courtyard, water sparkling in the light. A clock tower rising above everything, its face gold and blue. Modern buildings tucked behind the historic ones, all glass and steel, sohow blending perfectly with the old.
Students laughed together on a patch of grass. Others hurried toward buildings, bags slung over shoulders. A group near the fountain waved to soone across the lawn.
This was where she would be.
Her breath caught.
The car stopped in front of the main administration building.
Leo finally moved. He pulled his hand from hers, gently but deliberately, and opened his door.
"We’re here," he said flatly. "Let’s go."
He got out without looking back.
Bella sat for a mont, staring at the grand building before her, her hand still warm from where his had been.
Then she took a breath, grabbed her bag, and followed him inside.
When they went inside, the difference was imdiate.
The administration building was grand, with high ceilings, marble floors, and chandeliers that probably cost more than most people’s houses. A massive reception desk dominated the center, and behind it, several won in crisp blazers were busy with phones and computers.
Students milled about. So sat in plush waiting areas, flipping through brochures. Others stood in small groups, talking and laughing.
The mont Leo walked in, everything shifted.
The receptionist at the main desk looked up. Her eyes widened. She nudged the woman beside her, who also looked up. Within seconds, all conversation at the desk had stopped.
Leo walked straight toward them, his stride unhurried, his presence filling the space. He didn’t glance left or right. He didn’t acknowledge the whispers starting behind him.
Bella followed, clutching her bag strap, suddenly very aware of how everyone was staring.
The head receptionist stood quickly, smoothing her blazer. "Mr. Moretti!" Her voice was warm, eager, almost breathless. "What a pleasure to have you here. We weren’t inford you were coming."
Leo stopped at the desk. His expression didn’t change. "I need to enroll a student."
The woman’s eyes flicked to Bella, then back to Leo, putting pieces together. "Of course, of course. Right this way, please. We’ll take you to a private office."
She gestured to a younger assistant, who practically jumped to lead them past the main area, away from the curious stares of students and staff.
Bella followed behind.
The private office was elegant, with polished wood, soft lighting, and comfortable chairs. A woman in an expensive suit entered monts later, smiling warmly.
"Mr. Moretti, what an honor." She extended her hand, which Leo shook briefly. "I’m Dr. Reynolds, the Dean of Admissions. How can we assist you today?"
Leo gestured toward Bella without looking at her. "My wife needs to enroll."
Dr. Reynolds’s eyes lit up as she turned to Bella. "Wonderful! We’d be delighted to have you. Let get your information personally."
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