CHAPTER 360: CHAPTER 360 SULKY JAY

"Bunny, don’t take her words to heart," Leo said quietly as he drove, one hand resting lightly on the steering wheel while the other tapped once against the gear. "You’re just nineteen, and she’s already an old lady. You should focus on your growth, on what you want for your future."

Bella turned her head toward him, her honey-brown eyes soft and thoughtful. The faint streetlights painted ripples of gold across the window beside her. "Okay," she said softly. She wanted to believe it—she really did—but Alexa’s words still echoed somewhere in the back of her mind. Almost a year married... and still no baby.

She pressed her fingers together in her lap, trying to shake off the thought. It’s not important, she told herself, even though her heart felt oddly heavy. One and a half months more, and their marriage would complete a year. Time had passed so fast, and yet so many things still felt new and uncertain.

Leo, meanwhile, was lost in a different storm entirely. His jaw tightened as he stared at the road ahead, his eyes unreadable in the dim glow of the dashboard.

When they reached home, Leo went straight to his study. The sound of the door locking echoed softly through the hallway.

Inside, the calm mask he always wore began to crack. His expression turned cold and dangerous—the kind that could make anyone’s pulse stutter. He sat down, leaned back in his chair, and pulled out his phone. When the line connected, his voice was low, calm, but carrying the weight of a storm waiting to break.

"I told you to keep eyes on her," he said, each word sharp and deliberate. "How the hell did she manage to bump into me and my wife?"

"I—I’m sorry, sir," came a trembling voice from the other end. "I kept eyes on her, truly. She was supposed to meet someone, but I didn’t know you’d be there..."

Leo exhaled slowly through his nose, irritation flickering in his gaze. "And? Is there more information?"

"Yes, sir," the voice stammered. "There was a man with a briefcase who came to visit her. I’ve taken a picture and already sent it to your and Mr. Kenn’s email."

Leo’s eyes narrowed, the faint blue light from his phone reflecting in his gray irises. "Very well," he said, his voice quieter now but no less dangerous. "Make sure she stays under control."

"Yes, sir."

The call ended. Silence filled the room except for the faint sound of the air conditioner and the slow ticking of the clock.

Leo placed his phone down, steepled his fingers, and stared at the desk for a long moment. His expression was unreadable, but there was a dark flicker in his eyes that refused to fade.

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Bella peeked her head into Jay’s room, hoping to cheer them both up, but paused when she saw Jace standing by the door, dressed neatly as if he were about to go out. Jay, on the other hand, sat cross-legged on the bed with a stormy expression that instantly told her something was wrong.

"What happened?" she asked gently, stepping inside.

Jay’s mood changed the second he saw her. "Bella bell! Where have you been? I missed you! And wait—is that what I think it is? Pastries? Chocolates?" His eyes lit up like a child’s.

She grinned and held up the small paper bag. "I was with Leo, and I brought you both some pastry."

Jace smiled and reached for it. "Thank you. You’re amazing, Bella." He took one piece and passed the rest toward Jay, who only gave him a dark, wounded look.

Bella blinked, confused. "So you’re angry?" she asked softly, sitting on the edge of the bed.

"I’m not angry!" Jay declared, his tone clearly proving otherwise. "Why would I be angry

, huh? I’m just a handicapped man stuck here like an ornament, and he"—he jabbed a finger toward Jace—"is going out with his friends like life’s perfect! Why would I be angry?" His words came out fast and sharp, his frustration pouring unchecked.

Bella’s lips twitched, torn between sympathy and amusement. Jace sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Jay, don’t start," he said patiently.

Jay only glared harder. "I’m not starting. I’m expressing. Big difference!"

Bella couldn’t help it—she burst out laughing. "You sound like an old grandma scolding her grandson," she teased, and that finally earned her a reluctant smile from Jay, though he was still sulking.

"Yeah, yeah, laugh all you want," he muttered. "Next time, I’ll replace Jace’s shampoo with glue."

"Try that, and I’ll throw you out the window," Jace said dryly, making Bella laugh even more.

After a moment, when the laughter settled, Bella reached out and patted Jay’s bandaged arm gently. "Jay, you should rest more," she said softly, her voice calm but firm. "And maybe let Jace enjoy himself a little too. You can’t keep him trapped here with you all the time." She smiled warmly. "Don’t worry, I’ll stay with you."

For a second, Jay’s lips pressed into a stubborn line but then his expression softened. He blinked at her, his pout fading away. "Yeah... Bella bell, you’re right," he said finally, nodding with exaggerated seriousness. "I should let him go."

Jace, who had been bracing himself for another argument, exhaled in relief and smiled faintly. "Good. I was starting to think I’d have to sneak out through the window."

"Don’t exaggerate," Jay muttered, giving him a half-hearted glare. But his voice had lost its edge.

Bella chuckled softly, her laughter warm and affectionate. Watching them bicker felt oddly comforting.

Jay wasn’t easy to handle—that much Jace had learned long ago. There was something possessive about him, but it didn’t come from ego or control. It came from attachment—from how deeply he cared once someone became part of his heart. He clung to people fiercely, sometimes too much, as if he feared they might slip away if he loosened his grip even a little.

Jace had seen that side of him more than anyone else. The sulking, the jealous little comments, the dramatic sighs—anyone else would have found it exhausting. But Jace didn’t. Somehow, he found it endearing. Jay loved loudly, complained loudly, and cared in ways that left no space for doubt.

As Jace slipped on his jacket, he glanced back at Jay, who was still mumbling under his breath while Bella sat beside him, patting his shoulder gently. A small smile tugged at Jace’s lips before he could stop it. He’s exhausting, he thought. But damn... he’s one of a kind.