CHAPTER 195: CHAPTER 195 YOU’RE A MARITINO

She really was kind... and innocent.

Not the kind of false innocence or politeness he had assumed in the beginning, not an act to gain sympathy or make herself look good. No—Bella’s kindness was the quiet, effortless kind that didn’t need an audience. The kind that came naturally to her, without expecting anything in return.

A flicker of guilt stirred in his chest as memories slipped in uninvited—sharp moments from their past that now felt heavier than before. He remembered the way he had once snapped at her, accusing her of complaining about him to his mother when she hadn’t. The way he had deliberately kept his distance, insisting she address him formally as "sir" rather than "Leo."

He had thought he was keeping boundaries, that he was protecting himself from... something. But now, sitting in the soft orange wash of the streetlight outside, he realized how unfair he’d been.

Leaning back in the seat, he let out a slow breath, his gaze falling briefly to the empty passenger side. For the first time in a long while, he wished he could go back and change those moments—not because she had held them against him, but because she never had. And that made the guilt settle even deeper.

***

When he reached home, the first thing he heard was the sound of light giggles spilling from the living room, soft and playful. His brows drew together immediately.

He stepped in and his eyes landed on the sight in front of him—Bella, Jace, and Jay sprawled comfortably on the couch, watching some ridiculous cartoon and laughing like old friends. But what made his jaw tighten wasn’t the childish show or their noise. It was the way Jace’s arm rested far too casually along the back of the couch, close enough to brush against Bella’s shoulder.

Leo’s gaze cooled instantly, the kind of cold that didn’t need words to be felt. His eyes narrowed slightly, sharp as glass, locking on that arm like it was the most offensive thing in the room.

"Bella." His voice cut through the laughter, low and commanding.

She turned, still smiling from whatever joke they’d been laughing at, but the moment her eyes met his, that brightness dimmed just a fraction. "Yeah?" she asked, rising from the couch.

"I want to have words with you," he said, his gaze briefly flicking to Jace before returning to her.

"You can say it here," Bella replied, tilting her head in mild confusion.

"No," he said, the word crisp as steel. "It’s private." His eyes lingered on Jace and then on Jay, silent and unblinking, before returning to her.

Bella blinked at him but didn’t argue. "Alright..." she said finally, stepping away from the couch. He waited until she reached him, then turned on his heel and led her upstairs, his long strides forcing her to follow close behind.

On the first floor, he stopped in front of an empty room and opened the door, letting her in first before shutting it quietly behind them. The soft click of the lock made her glance at him, but his expression was unreadable—hands in his pockets, shoulders relaxed in a way that didn’t match the heat simmering in his eyes.

"So?" Bella asked, her voice light but cautious.

His gaze held hers for a long moment before he finally spoke. "Why was his arm around you?" His voice wasn’t raised, but it carried a weight that made it impossible to mistake for casual curiosity.

She blinked, caught off guard. "You mean Jace? He was just leaning. We were watching TV."

"That’s not leaning," Leo said slowly, taking a step closer. "That’s touching."

Bella gave a small laugh, though her cheeks warmed. "Oh, come on. He’s my friend. He’s harmless."

Leo’s lips pressed into a thin line. He didn’t believe in harmless—especially not when it came to her. His gaze lowered briefly to her mouth, then back up, his tone dropping lower. "Harmless or not, I don’t like it."

Her brows lifted, half amused. "Why? It’s not like you—"

"Because you’re my wife," he cut in, his voice steady, deep, and firm. The words hung between them, heavier than they should have been, his eyes holding hers without blinking.

Bella crossed her arms, trying to hide how her heart skipped. "I didn’t know you cared that much."

He didn’t smile, but the corner of his mouth curved slightly, almost daring her to test him. "Maybe you should start knowing."

Bella bit her lip, her eyes narrowing as she jabbed a small finger at his chest. "You... you marritinooo!" she burst out, glaring at him like she was delivering the worst insult she could think of. "Now tell me, what do you want to talk to me about privately?"

Leo’s brows arched, and for a moment, all he could do was look at her. She was trying to look furious, but the faint pink in her cheeks and the way her lips pouted made it look more like she was sulking than scolding. Amusement tugged at his mouth, but he kept his expression under control.

Then the word she’d just thrown at him sank in. "Wait." His voice dropped lower, his jaw tightening as he stepped closer. "Did Jay teach you that?"

"Yes!" Bella said proudly, lifting her chin like it was some kind of achievement.

"You’re a maritino~~~" she sang in a teasing, drawn-out voice, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Leo’s chest tightened unexpectedly, his heart kicking hard against his ribs. His ears grew warm, the tips turning a shade redder than he’d ever admit, and his gaze softened despite himself. "You really think you can get away with calling me that?" he murmured, leaning down so she had to tilt her head back to meet his eyes.

She tried to hold her ground, but the closeness of him, the warmth of his breath brushing her cheek, made her pulse quicken. "M... maybe," she replied, the faintest tremor in her voice.

Leo’s lips curved into the smallest, most dangerous smile. "Careful, Bella," he said slowly, his tone like velvet over steel. "If you keep saying it like that... I might start liking it."

Her eyes widened, but before she could answer, he straightened, giving her just enough space to breathe while still looking at her like she was the most distracting thing in the room.

"Now," he said, his voice dropping to that smooth, deep tone that always seemed to wrap around her like warm smoke, "are you going to behave... or should I teach you a lesson like last time?"

Translation:

Maritino- Hubby