Chapter 277: Chapter 277 Curse truth
After finishing her long day of disguises, work, and sneaking around, Bella slumped into the backseat of the car, letting out a soft sigh. By the time she reached home, her legs felt like jelly, and she dragged her bag upstairs as if it weighed a ton.
"Huh... so tired!!" she thought dramatically, puffing her cheeks.
But her exhaustion melted away when she entered the kitchen and saw Aunt Clara smiling warmly at her. On the counter sat a tall glass of chilled orange juice, the kind Bella loved most, bright, frosty, with little beads of condensation sliding down the glass.
"Your favorite," Aunt Clara said knowingly.
Bella’s heart warmed instantly. "Thank you, Aunty!! You’re the best!" she chirped, hugging the glass like it was treasure before drinking it down in happy gulps.
Refreshed, she went upstairs, tiptoeing into her room like a little thief. She carefully packed her wig, men’s shoes, and sweatshirt into a bag and shoved it deep into the corner of her wardrobe, covering it with a blanket. Safe, she thought with a relieved nod.
After that, she took a long shower, letting the warm water wash away the stress of the day. Her hair fell soft and fluffy around her shoulders as she changed into her cute bunny-print pajamas. The fabric was so soft and cozy that she couldn’t resist spinning once in front of the mirror, giggling at how silly she looked.
Finally, she curled up on her bed with plushies in her arms, her face glowing with satisfaction. Today she had pulled off everything perfectly, her disguise, her work, her return home. And even though she was tired, a proud little smile lingered on her lips as she whispered to herself, "I did a lot today."
She hugged her plush tighter, feeling safe and happy in her fluffy pajamas. Within minutes, her eyelids drooped, and Bella drifted off, her dreams as sweet as the orange juice she had just finished.
·༻𐫱༺·
"She fell asleep?" Leo’s brows furrowed as he held the phone to his ear, his tone sharp.
"Yes, sir," the maid replied nervously. "As soon as she came home, she went straight to her room and fell asleep."
Leo leaned back in his chair, his jaw tightening. He had been calling Bella for the past half hour, and every time the line went unanswered, his irritation grew. This little bunny dares to ignore me again? he thought, though deep down his chest ached with worry. Was she sick? Was she hiding something?
The maid’s hesitant voice broke through his thoughts. "Should I let her sleep, sir?"
"No," Leo said firmly, his voice low and commanding. "Wake her up at dinner time. She needs to eat."
"Yes, sir," the maid said quickly before hanging up.
Leo dropped his phone onto the table with a dull thud, his fingers drumming against the armrest. His gray eyes darkened as he muttered to himself, "Sleeping without eating... she’ll be the death of me one day."
Still, the image of Bella curled up under the blankets in her pink pajamas, hugging that ridiculous plush, flashed in his mind and despite himself, the corner of his lips tugged upward.
Leo rose from his chair, sliding his phone into his pocket. The moment he stepped out into the dim corridor, the warmth he had felt when imagining Bella asleep vanished. His features hardened, his gaze turned sharp, and his expression became cold and unreadable, like a machine programmed only for control and dominance.
By the time he reached the heavy double doors of the next room, his aura had already shifted. No longer the husband who worried whether his wife had eaten, but the Mafia King whose name was feared across continents.
He pushed the door open, and inside, several mafia bosses were already waiting, the room thick with smoke and tension. The sound of cards shuffling, glasses clinking, and low murmurs ceased instantly as every head turned toward him.
Leo’s polished shoes tapped against the floor as he entered. His tall frame and impassive face sent a shiver down the spines of men twice his age. He did not acknowledge their greetings. He did not need to. His presence alone commanded silence.
He took the head seat, crossed his legs, and leaned back lazily, though his eyes were anything but relaxed. They were cold steel, scanning each face with calculating precision.
"The meeting begins now," he said flatly, his voice calm but carrying enough weight to silence even the boldest.
The conversation stretched long into the night. Territories, shipments, alliances, betrayals, and every word was heavy, every glance a threat. But Leo did not falter, did not blink. His demeanor was emotionless, robotic, designed to dismantle weakness and keep control.
Hours later, when the meeting was still dragging on, he lit a cigar between his fingers, exhaling smoke with deliberate slowness.
·༻𐫱༺·
The next morning, Bella shuffled out of her bed with heavy steps, her bunny slippers making soft puchi puchi sounds on the floor. She rubbed her eyes, still half-asleep, her head swaying left and right as if her body wanted to drag her back to bed.
She dragged herself through her morning routine, splashed cold water on her face, brushed her hair quickly, and then forced herself to go downstairs for breakfast.
Halfway through nibbling a croissant, her mood shifted in an instant when she spotted Victoria entering the dining hall. The old woman’s sharp gray eyes softened the moment they landed on Bella.
"Nonna!" Bella exclaimed, her face lighting up. She jumped from her chair and ran toward her, hugging her tightly.
Victoria chuckled warmly, patting her head.
Bella froze. Her face cracked like broken glass.
Wait. Wait. Did Nonna just call her that word? The word Jay had told her was a curse? Her lips trembled as she looked up at Victoria with teary eyes.
Victoria frowned, surprised by the sudden shift. "What’s wrong with you, child? Why are you about to cry so early in the morning?"
Bella sniffed, holding her cheeks. "Nonna... are you cursing me?"
The room fell silent for a beat. Victoria blinked. "...What?"
"You just called me that word! Bell... bellissima! Jay told me it’s a curse in Italian!" Bella blurted, her voice breaking with pure distress.
For a moment, Victoria stared at her. Then her lips twitched. Then she burst into laughter so loud the maids standing nearby nearly jumped. "Who told you such nonsense?! Child, that word means beautiful. Gorgeous. Lovely. It is the highest compliment, not a curse!"
Bella’s mouth fell open. Her eyes widened in disbelief. "W-what?"
Victoria nodded firmly. "Yes. You silly girl. I would never curse you. You are my granddaughter-in-law. Why would I waste such words on you?"
Bella blinked rapidly, her tears drying in confusion until realization dawned. Slowly, her shock turned to fiery rage.