Chapter 783: Chapter 783 Bella’s new nickname

William raised an eyebrow. "Something different?"

"Please?" Bella pouted, her lower lip pushing out. Her brown eyes were wide and pleading.

William studied her for a long moment. His eyes crinkled. His lips twitched.

"Alright," he said slowly. "How about... little turtle?"

Bella’s eyes widened.

Her cheeks puffed out. Her lips pressed together. Her whole face scrunched up in exaggerated offense.

"Little turtle?" she repeated, her voice muffled by her puffed cheeks.

William nodded, barely suppressing a grin. "Little turtle. Because you carry your bag on your back, just like a turtle carries its shell."

Bella looked down at her bag, still slung over her shoulder. The strap was digging into her shirt. The bag was bulging with all the things she had carried from home. Then she looked back up at her grandfather.

"I do not," she said, her voice coming out squeaky.

"You do. Look at you. Bag full of books, laptop, notebooks, water bottle, probably snacks." He tapped the bag gently with his finger. "Just like a turtle carrying its home."

Bella’s pout deepened. Her cheeks puffed out even more. She looked like a chipmunk storing nuts.

"I am not a turtle," she said. "Turtles are slow. I am not slow."

William laughed, the sound warm and rich. He reached out and pinched her puffed cheek gently between his thumb and finger.

"You’re adorable when you’re annoyed," he said.

Bella’s voice came out muffled. "I’m not adorable. I’m fierce."

"Of course you are, little turtle."

Bella groaned and dropped her face into her hands. Her ears were red. Her cheeks were warm. She could feel the heat radiating off her skin.

"I can’t believe you’re calling me a turtle," she mumbled into her palms.

William’s voice was soft, amused. "A very cute turtle."

"Grandpa!"

He patted her head, his hand warm and gentle. "Come, come. I have tea and cookies. Your favorite."

Bella peeked through her fingers. Her eyes were still wide, her cheeks still puffed. "With chocolate chips?"

"With chocolate chips."

She lowered her hands, still pouting but unable to hide her smile. Her lips twitched. "Fine."

William offered his arm. She took it, and they walked together toward the living room. Her bag bumped against her hip with each step.

"Grandpa," she said as they walked, "you know you can tell me anything, right?"

William glanced at her, his eyes soft. "I know, little turtle."

"Why won’t you tell me what’s making you so happy?"

"Because it’s a surprise."

"A surprise for when?"

William’s eyes twinkled. "For when the time is right." He patted her hand. "Now drink your tea before it gets cold."

Bella sighed, but she was smiling. She let him lead her into the living room, where the tea was waiting and the cookies were warm.

She sat on the couch, set her bag on the floor beside her, tucked her feet under her, and took a sip of her tea. The warmth spread through her chest.

William sat across from her, watching her with gentle eyes. His hands rested on his knees. His shoulders were relaxed.

"You look tired," he said.

Bella shrugged. "I’ve been busy."

"Too busy?"

"Not too busy. Just... busy." She took another sip of tea. "I started working on a new project. Robotics for hospitals."

William’s eyebrows rose. "Robotics?"

"There’s this girl, Winter. She’s very smart." Bella smiled into her cup. "She makes robots. I’m helping her."

William leaned back in his chair. His eyes studied her face. "And you enjoy it?"

"I do." Bella nodded. "It’s hard, but it’s good and interesting. I am liking the difficulty of this project."

William was quiet for a moment. Then he smiled.

"I’m proud of you, little turtle."

Bella groaned. "Grandpa."

"Little bunny?"

"Grandpa!"

He laughed. The sound filled the room, warm and happy.

Bella shook her head, but she was smiling. She reached for a cookie and took a bite.

The chocolate melted on her tongue. The tea was warm in her hands.

She was happy too.

⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹

A few days later, Winter was still adjusting to the world she had stepped into.

She had learned, first, that Bella was married. Not just married, but married to Leonardo Moretti, a powerful businessman with rumors swirling around him about deep connections to the underworld. She had been taken aback, not because Bella had hidden it (for Bella had never lied, just never mentioned it), but because the warm, soft, sunshine girl was connected to someone so dangerous, so powerful, so cold. It did not fit. It was like finding out a butterfly had made its nest in the mouth of a lion.

Then Winter had met the others.

Jace, quiet and watchful, with eyes that seemed to see through her skin and bones and into the parts of her she kept hidden.

Jay, easygoing and warm, with a laugh that filled the space around him and made the air feel lighter.

Scarlett, sharp and bold, with confidence in her speech and her eyes and the way she held herself like she had never been afraid of anything in her entire life.

Zion, steady and calm, like a rock in a storm, the kind of person who did not need to speak loudly to be heard.

Dominique, dramatic and beautiful, with a grin that could charm anyone and a voice that could fill a room.

Hazel, scarred but striking, with eyes that held stories Winter could not read.

And Leo. Silent and intimidating. He had looked at her once, nodded once, and said nothing else. That single glance had been enough to tell her everything she needed to know. He was not a man you crossed. He was not a man you made small talk with. He was the kind of man who sat in the corner of the room and still somehow commanded every eye in it.

Now she sat in the plush leather seat of the private jet and looked around carefully.

The cabin was elegant, with soft lighting and cream-colored seats that felt like clouds. Through the window, the clouds stretched out like a white sea, endless and peaceful, the sky above them a deep and perfect blue.

The girls were seated together. Bella, Scarlett, Hazel. Winter sat beside Bella, close enough that their shoulders nearly touched.