CHAPTER 391: CHAPTER 391 FEAR

The house was quieter than usual when Leo stepped inside. He unbuttoned his top two buttons as he walked in, expecting to hear faint footsteps or the sound of the TV. But instead, Aunty Clara greeted him with a worried expression.

"Sir... Bella ma’am is still asleep."

Still?

Leo froze mid-step.

A strange prickling sensation crawled down his spine, an instinct sharper than logic, something cold rising in him. Bella did not sleep this much. She slept long, yes, but not this long. Something was off.

His expression darkened as he strode to their room and pushed the door open with a quick movement.

Empty.

A quiet, low breath escaped him, half impatience and half growing worry, as he turned and pushed open the door of the room he had specially set up for her, the one she loved most.

He blinked once.

The room was empty too.

Until his eyes flicked toward the large hollow in the middle of the tree, the one sized just right for her small body.

He walked toward it with quick, tense steps and leaned down, peering inside.

Sure enough, curled up like a tiny creature, her hair falling over her cheek and her lips parted softly, was Bella. Sleeping. Deeply.

But something in the stillness of her tiny form made his heartbeat stutter.

"Bella?" Leo reached inside and gently poked her arm.

No movement.

He frowned and leaned closer.

"Bella?" His voice rose slightly.

Still nothing.

His pulse actually skipped.

"Bella!" His voice cracked with real fear as he poked harder, his breath catching. "Bunny, Bella, wake up... Bella!"

At that very last shout, Bella jerked awake with a gasp, eyes wide, confused and startled. She blinked up at him, still half in a dream, before slowly realizing Leo’s entire face was pale with fear.

She scrambled out of the hollow, climbed down the stairs, and landed clumsily on her feet.

"What’s wrong?" she asked, her voice full of worry as she grabbed his shirt.

Leo didn’t answer.

He didn’t even think. He simply pulled her into him and held her tight, so tight she felt the tremble running through his arms.

"Leo?" she whispered, stunned.

He buried his face in her hair, breathing her in with a shaky exhale.

"I thought something happened to you," he murmured, his voice low and rough, thick with an emotion he rarely let show. "You didn’t wake up. I called you so many times... I..."

She hugged him back instinctively, her hands sliding around his waist and her cheek pressed to his chest. Her heartbeat quickened at how firmly he held her, how desperately he was hugging her.

"I was just sleeping," she whispered softly. "I’m okay."

But Leo didn’t loosen his hold.

"I know," he said quietly, his voice vibrating against her temple. "But the way you didn’t move... Bella, don’t scare me like that again."

She nodded slowly, overwhelmed, her fingers clutching his shirt.

And for a long, warm moment, they just stood there, her tiny body tucked against him, his arms wrapped around her as if she were the only thing keeping his world calm.

Leo exhaled slowly, trying to calm the thunder inside his chest. Only then did he gently separate their bodies, though his hands still lingered near her shoulders as if afraid she would disappear again.

"Why did you sleep so much?" he asked, his brows still drawn together. His breath was uneven, almost shaky, and she realized he was still recovering from that moment of fear.

She lowered her gaze, fingers twisting together. "Sorry... I don’t know. I felt sleepy from morning, and I just took a nap after doing some work. I’m really, really sorry." Her eyes became teary, turning glassy with guilt, and her voice wobbled at the end.

His expression softened immediately. "It’s fine, it’s fine," he whispered, pulling her closer again and patting her back in slow, reassuring strokes. "Don’t cry. It’s okay."

He leaned back slightly and searched her face, worry still simmering beneath the surface. "Do you feel your body is tired?" The question was gentle, but the intensity behind his eyes showed he was genuinely scared, still checking for anything wrong.

Bella shook her head quickly. "No, I just felt sleepy. It’s normal." She tried to smile, hoping to ease his worry.

He nodded, though the crease on his forehead didn’t fully disappear. Slowly, his hands came up to cup her cheeks, holding her face as if it were something fragile. He leaned down and pressed a long kiss to her forehead.

Her lashes fluttered shut at the warmth, and he felt her relax under his touch.

Then something in him melted completely.

He began pressing soft kisses across her face, her temples, her cheeks, the bridge of her nose, tiny gentle touches that made her giggle softly, her cheeks turning rosy.

She wrapped her arms around his waist, burying her face against him as warmth spread through her chest.

Leo felt her giggle vibrate against his shirt and smiled quietly, his fingers stroking down her hair.

"You scared me," he murmured into her crown, and though his voice was calm, there was a faint tremor of relief beneath it. "Don’t disappear into naps like that again without telling me."

She nodded, holding him tighter, even though a small part of her wanted to whisper that she would never disappear anywhere, not even into naps, not when he was waiting for her.

Later, after Leo had taken a quick shower and returned with his damp hair brushed back, the four of them gathered for dinner. The dining hall felt warm with soft lights, cutlery clinking quietly, and the faint aroma of fresh herbs rising from the dishes.

Jay, however, was acting as if Bella were a ghost.

He sat stiffly, refusing to look directly at her, his cheeks turning slightly pink every time his eyes accidentally drifted toward her neck area. Every time Bella sensed it, she looked down shyly and fidgeted with her spoon, while Jace sat beside him biting back a grin, absolutely enjoying Jay’s misery.

Leo, of course, noticed none of this emotional chaos. Or maybe he did, but simply didn’t care.

"How many days are you planning to stay here?" Leo asked suddenly, slicing through the comfortable quiet like a knife.