Chapter 286: Chapter 286 Flirty
He inhaled deeply, steadying himself, and pushed open the door to her room.
Alexa lay on the bed, her figure propped slightly against the pillows. She turned her head at the sound of the door, her expression pale but carefully arranged, her lips curving in a fragile smile. "Archer..." she whispered softly, her voice trembling just enough to sound convincing.
His steps were steady as he entered, though his eyes were cold, searching her face for the truth. He stopped at the foot of the bed, towering over her. "You’re pregnant," he said flatly, the words like stone dropping into the room.
Alexa lowered her lashes, fingers brushing over her stomach with a tender slowness. "The doctor already told you, didn’t he?" she murmured. Then she looked up, her eyes shimmering as though with unshed tears. "I... I didn’t know either until recently. I thought I was just tired, but... this little life is inside me, Archer."
His jaw tightened. He studied her every movement, the practiced softness of her tone, the delicate way she stroked her belly. Every piece of it screamed manipulation. Yet the reality was undeniable. Pregnant.
He exhaled sharply, dragging a hand down his face. "So that’s why you delayed the divorce," he muttered, his voice laced with suspicion.
Her lips parted in a wounded gasp. "Divorce? How could you even think of leaving me now?" Her hand clutched the blanket, her eyes wide and trembling. "I know I’ve made mistakes, but this baby... this baby is a gift. Don’t you see? It’s a chance for us to start over."
Archer’s expression hardened. His heart was heavy. He took a step closer, his shadow falling across her. "Don’t use the child as your shield, Alexa. Don’t think for one second that this erases everything you’ve done." His voice dropped lower, dangerous. "But I will take responsibility for what is mine."
Alexa blinked, her face softening into an innocent mask. Yet deep inside, her heart sang with triumph. That’s right, Archer. Responsibility. You won’t escape me now.
She reached out slowly, her fingers brushing his wrist. "I don’t want to fight anymore," she whispered sweetly, her eyes locked on his. "I just want us... to be a family."
Archer didn’t move for a moment. His gaze focused on her hand, then on her stomach. His chest felt heavier than ever, a storm of emotions battling inside him. Finally, he pulled his arm free and stepped back, his voice low. "Rest. The doctor said you need it."
Without waiting for her reply, he turned and walked toward the door, his tall figure rigid, his steps clipped.
Alexa leaned back against the pillows, her lips curving into a smile the moment his back was turned. A slow, triumphant smile that held both victory and madness.
****
"Let me go... I have to go home," Bella stammered, her throat tight as she swallowed nervously. Her eyes darted up at him, but when she realized he wasn’t showing any sign of recognition, her heart pounded even harder. He doesn’t know it’s me... if he did, he would’ve already asked in disbelief.
Leo’s lips curved slowly into a smirk, his sharp eyes glinting. Still pretending? Fine, he thought, amusement flickering in his chest.
He stepped closer, his tall frame casting a shadow over her. "How should we let you go home," he drawled, his voice smooth and dangerous, "if you don’t answer our questions first?" His gaze hardened, his hand lifting slightly as he gestured to his men. At once, they lowered their weapons and stepped back, leaving only him advancing toward her. "Tell me," he said, his tone sharp but laced with intrigue. "Are you that hacker?"
Bella’s breath hitched. She lifted her chin, trying to sound braver than she felt, her lips trembling as she whispered, "Y-yes. What are you going to do? Kill me for helping you?"
Her attempt at defiance only made Leo’s heart stir with a rush of forbidden excitement. My little bunny... so stubborn, so cute, even when she’s trying to act tough. Even dressed and disguised as a man, her beauty was impossible to hide—the delicate curve of her jaw, the glow in her honey-brown eyes, the way fear and pride warred on her face. It was maddening, and he couldn’t look away.
"Not killing," Leo murmured, his smirk deepening as he took another step toward her, the cold weight of his gun still in his hand. Bella’s brows knitted instantly, her lips pressing into a pout. If he’s not killing me, then why is he waving that gun around? Very bad man!
She wanted to scold him right then and there, but her voice caught in her throat."I will repay my gratitude," he said instead, his chuckle low and dangerous, sending a shiver down her spine. His gaze locked on hers, heated and unrelenting. "I’ll give you a job in my company. You’ll hold a prestigious status by my side."
Bella blinked, her heart skipping at the intensity in his eyes. She stumbled back a step, her cheeks heating despite herself. "No—I don’t want that. And... and can you not come so close?" Her voice wavered as she retreated another step, only to bump into the sleek, cool surface of a car.
Leo’s smirk grew hotter, his eyes drinking in her every reaction, the thrill of her resistance only making his desire to claim her stronger.
Her breath caught as the metal pressed against her back. Leo’s smirk deepened, and he closed the distance, his tall frame casting her in his shadow. One of his hands came up, bracing lazily against the car roof just above her head, while the other still held the gun loosely at his side.
The dark door reflected their images faintly—her side and his sharp, dangerous profile leaning over her. His eyes drank her in, slow and deliberate, lingering on the curve of her jaw, the way her lashes trembled, the stubborn pout on her lips.
My little bunny, Leo thought, his chest tightening with a thrill he refused to show. Even when disguised, even when frightened, she was impossibly beautiful. So delicate, yet so bold, looking at him as though she could defy him.
Bella’s fingers curled against the car, her chest rising and falling quickly. He was too close—his scent, his heat, the intensity of his gaze—it was overwhelming. She wanted to push him back, to scold him for playing with a gun if he wasn’t planning to shoot, but her voice caught in her throat.
Leo lowered his head slightly, his lips curving into that dangerous smile again.
"What’s wrong? You said you don’t want the job... but your eyes, they tell me you’re hiding something else." His words brushed against her like a tease, low and velvet.
Her cheeks burned hotter. "I’m not hiding anything," she snapped back softly, though her trembling gave her away.
And Jeffery stood frozen a few steps away, his eyes growing wider with every second. What on earth was he witnessing? His boss—cold, ruthless, terrifying Leo—looked like he was... flirting. Flirting with this supposed "hacker guy."
Jeffery’s brain nearly short-circuited. Why is Boss leaning in like that? Why is he smiling like that? Oh my God... is this how men smile when they’re about to shoot? No... no, that’s not it. That’s not a murder smile—that’s a flirty smile!
He rubbed his eyes quickly, convinced he was seeing wrong.