His innocent wife is a dangerous hacker.-Chapter 589 Bella’s wish

The fresh breeze kissed her face, soft and cool, carrying the scent of pine and clean water. The sound of gentle waves lapping against the boat was so relaxing, a natural rhythm that seemed to slow time itself. Her hair and flew lightly around her face, dark strands catching the sunlight as she turned her head to take in the view.

And what a view it was.

The lake stretched before them like liquid glass, reflecting the towering cliffs and the brilliant blue sky. Mountains rose in the distance, their peaks dusted with the last traces of snow. Everything was beautiful. Everything was perfect.

Bella’s eyes widened with amazement as she took it all in.

And not to mention, his hands holding her felt warm and safe.

Leo sat behind her, his chest against her back, his arms wrapped loosely around her waist. His warmth seeped through her clothes, grounding her in the moment.

They sat together on the small boat, the guide having given them privacy by staying near the shore. Just the two of them, floating in the middle of this mountain paradise.

Bella leaned forward slightly, lowering herself until her fingertips brushed the surface of the water. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

It was cold. Perfectly, refreshingly cold.

Her eyes lit up like a child discovering something wonderful for the first time.

"Leo, feel it," she breathed, scooping a small handful and letting it trickle through her fingers. "It’s so clear. I can see all the way to the bottom."

Behind her, Leo’s face softened.

He was not looking at the water. He was looking at her. At the way her whole face glowed with simple joy. At the way her hair caught the light. At the way she existed in this moment, completely present, completely happy.

A gorgeous smile tugged at his lips.

Seeing her like this, childlike, amazed, utterly herself, was better than any view the mountain could offer.

After a while—

"Leo," Bella said softly, her voice carrying that shy, hesitant tone that immediately caught his attention. She was looking down at her hands, her fingers fidgeting slightly in her lap. "I told you I wanted something..."

Leo looked at her curiously. Without a word, he shifted her position, gently turning her so she sat on his lap facing him. Her face went pink, then red, as she looked up at him, those beautiful brown eyes wide and nervous under the mountain sun.

His hands rested on her hips, warm and steady through the thin fabric of her dress. His gray eyes held hers, soft but focused, the way they always looked when she had his complete attention.

"Tell me," he murmured, but his gaze dropped to her lips and lingered there, clearly wanting to kiss her, to taste her, to get lost in her the way he always did.

Bella bit her lower lip, the gesture unconscious but devastating. Her heart was hammering in her chest, but she had made up her mind. She wanted this. Wanted to say it.

"Umm... I want a baby."

Leo blinked.

Once.

Twice.

The silence stretched for a heartbeat, then another.

"A baby?" He leaned back slightly, processing her words as if she had spoken in a foreign language. "Bella, you’re only twenty. You want a baby at twenty?"

She nodded, her expression determined despite the blush burning her cheeks. "Yes. I want one."

He took a slow breath, his hands still warm on her hips. "This is the age when most people study, build careers, figure out who they are," he said gently but firmly. "Not prepare for a baby. Not tie yourself down when you’re just starting your life."

"I don’t want to study," Bella said firmly, her chin lifting with that stubbornness he knew so well. "I want to be a mommy. I want to hold our baby. I want to watch you hold our baby. I want..." She stopped, her eyes getting that dreamy look. "I want to see you as a dad. I think you’d be amazing."

Something flickered in Leo’s eyes at that. Softness. Want. The image she had painted clearly affecting him.

But he held firm.

"No."

"Yes." She leaned forward, her hands pressing against his chest, feeling the steady thump of his heart beneath her palms. "You said you’d give me anything I want. You said that. Anything. I want a baby. I want one."

Leo’s lips twitched, almost a smile, almost exasperation. "Bella—"

"And anyway," she continued, cutting him off before he could build his argument, "lots of rich people in history didn’t waste time studying. They used that time to earn money instead. To build empires. To create things." She made a little money gesture with her fingers, rubbing them together with a hopeful expression. "I could be like them."

Leo stared at her.

The boat rocked gently beneath them. Water lapped against the sides. Somewhere in the distance, a bird called out.

Then, slowly, a smile spread across his face, the kind that meant he was about to enjoy proving her wrong very, very thoroughly.

"As a billionaire," he said calmly, ticking off on his fingers, "I have a double degree. Your grandfather has a degree. My father has a business degree. My mother has a fashion degree. Archer Wyatt has a business degree from one of the most prestigious universities abroad and graduated with honors."

Bella’s confident expression began to waver.

He kept going. "Your best friend Scarlett has a degree in computer science. Dominique actually has two degrees, marketing and acting and dramatics, believe it or not. Jason has a degree in sports. Jace has one in computer science. Jay also has a degree in business."

Bella’s eyes widened. Her mouth opened. Closed. Opened again.

"Oh," she mumbled weakly. "But I’m not talking about them. I’m talking about me. I was only homeschooled through high school, and I earn very well as a hacker. I don’t need a degree to—"

"No."

The word was final. Absolute. But not unkind.

"I want one baby," she insisted, looking back at him with pleading eyes. "Just one. Small. Tiny. With your eyes and my nose. Everyone would be so happy. Nonna would be overjoyed. Your parents too. My grandpa is almost 90 years old. He would be happy too."

Leo’s expression softened at the mention of their families, but he did not budge.

"No."