CHAPTER 346: CHAPTER 346 BUSY DAY

The next morning, after Leo had left for work, Bella finally stepped out of the house with a relieved sigh. The sunlight felt nice on her face, and the embarrassment from last night had finally faded—well, mostly. She couldn’t look at the couch without wanting to cry, but she told herself to move on.

At the mall, she ducked into a familiar boutique restroom and changed into her disguise—Isaac, her confident, calm hacker persona. With a cap low over her face, baggy clothes, and her voice lowered just a little, she looked nothing like the soft, blushing woman Leo had kissed the night before.

Jay, still at home, was being fussed over by the doctor. He’d twisted his wrist again while trying to play basketball with one good hand. "You need rest, young man," the doctor scolded. "No heroics."

Jay just groaned. "I am resting. My thumb is the only thing moving."

Meanwhile, Bella walked through the company lobby, her steps brisk and confident. She swiped her ID card and headed toward her workspace.

As soon as she entered the open office, familiar faces turned toward her. Jeffery, who was always too energetic for his own good, waved dramatically from across the room. "Hey, Isaac! You’re alive!" he shouted, earning a few chuckles from others.

Bella smiled faintly, raising a hand. "Good morning," she said, trying to sound like her usual calm male persona.

Jeffery practically ran to her side, his usual chatter beginning before she could even sit. "You won’t believe it! Yesterday, during the online meeting, the boss looked like he wanted to murder someone—thank the heavens it wasn’t me this time. And guess what? Kenn said he—"

"Jeffery," Bella interrupted with a polite smile, her tone firm but kind. "Let me at least sit before you start your podcast."

The office burst into laughter, and Jeffery gasped, pretending to clutch his heart. "Did Isaac just roast me? Oh, Lord!"

Bella chuckled softly, shaking her head as she took her seat, her fingers already moving to turn on her system. It felt oddly comforting—the rhythm of keys, the humming sound of computers, the soft chatter around her.

No one here knew she was Leonardo Moretti’s wife. And for now, she liked it that way.

Later that afternoon, Bella overheard some cheerful chatter spreading through the office. A guy from another department had just gotten a big promotion, and everyone was buzzing about the celebration he was throwing that evening.

Jeffery and a few others rushed to her desk, grinning. "Isaac, you’re coming to the party, right? It’s free food, music, and maybe karaoke! You have to come!"

Bella smiled faintly, but her mind raced. If she stayed out too long, Leo would definitely ask where she’d been, and he was too sharp to believe a lazy excuse. Just imagining his cold gray eyes narrowing at her sent a small chill down her spine.

"I’d love to, but..." She tilted her head, pretending to check her screen. "I’ve got a pile of work to finish and a few personal things to handle later."

Jeffery’s shoulders slumped instantly. "Aww, come on! You’re no fun!"

"Yeah, Isaac, you’re turning into the boss already," another teased.

Bella chuckled softly, trying to sound casual. "Next time, I promise."

When they finally left, she sighed in relief, spinning lightly in her chair. Staying out of trouble was better than being interrogated by her husband.

A few hours later, she finished her work and stepped out of the company, calling her real estate agent. He had arranged to show her a few houses that matched her earlier request—quiet neighborhoods, safe surroundings, a cozy garden, and friendly neighbors nearby.

At the first location, the agent greeted her politely, flipping through his folder. "Mr. Isaac, this one is newly renovated—two bedrooms, a big kitchen, and a small backyard. Just like you described."

Bella nodded thoughtfully as they walked through the house together. The warm afternoon sunlight filtered through the glass windows, casting golden patterns on the floor. She ran her hand along the smooth kitchen counter and smiled softly.

"Hmm... it feels nice," she said, already picturing herself planting flowers in the garden. "But I’d prefer somewhere that has a bit more privacy. Maybe with a little forest trail nearby?"

The agent nodded, scribbling notes. "Got it, Mr. Isaac. I’ll shortlist a few more properties like that and send you the details by evening."

"Thank you," Bella said warmly, stepping out to the porch and looking around. The air smelled faintly of rain and freshly cut grass—it felt peaceful.

She didn’t know if she’d ever truly need her own house, but a small, quiet place that belonged only to her sounded comforting.

Then she went back to the mall and changed out of Isaac’s disguise, fixing her hair back into its usual soft waves and slipping into her favorite cream cardigan. She looked at herself in the mirror one last time and then headed home with a light heart.

As soon as she opened the front door, laughter echoed through the house. Her eyes widened when she saw Jay sitting on the couch with another familiar man.

"Jace!" Bella’s voice brightened instantly, the excitement spilling out of her as she walked toward them. Her steps quickened, her cheeks blooming pink when she caught Jay’s teasing grin from the corner of her eye.

"Where have you been, Bella Bell?" Jace asked, his tone warm and gentle, the kind that always made her feel like the world slowed down a little around him.

Jace stood up and opened his arms, and Bella happily stepped into the hug. "I just came here specially to see you," he said with a small, affectionate smile.

Bella’s lips curved into a shy grin, her face brushing against his shoulder for a moment before she stepped back. "Really? You didn’t even call before coming!"

Jay groaned dramatically from the couch. "Oh great, now she’s going to ignore me again. Why is it always ’Jace this’ and ’Jace that’? I’m hurt, Bella Bell!"

Bella giggled softly and stuck her tongue out at him, which only made Jay lean forward with mock suspicion. "By the way," he said, narrowing his eyes, "where exactly have you been all day?"

"Oh, um... I was with Scarlett!" Bella replied quickly, smiling a little too brightly.

Jay raised a brow, folding his arms with the seriousness of a detective. "Oh really?" he said slowly, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Because we just came from Scarlett’s house."