Chapter 132: Chapter 132 She’s too good for this world
He stood in that doorway for another long moment, staring at the tiny bed and the pile of battered notebooks. A part of him — the part that knew how to survive by turning his heart to stone, told him to walk out and forget it.
But he didn’t.
He pulled out his phone, thumb brushing the side as he forced his voice to stay steady. "Roman," he said when the line clicked, his tone cool as ice. "Have the men pack everything up in this room. All of it — the notebooks, the clothes, the computer, even that broken chair. Nothing stays."
The man on the other end acknowledged the order. Leonardo ended the call without another word.
He walked down the narrow stairs, shoes echoing on the rotten wood, and stepped outside. He didn’t look back. His face was expressionless.
He remembered...
That dress she wore the first day. That wedding dress that looked like it would slip right off her fragile shoulders. She had stood there, trembling, but her eyes... those bright, stubborn eyes that still sparkled with something good in a world that deserved none of it.
He could still picture the way her soft hands had clumsily pressed to his forehead when he was sick–her brows furrowed, lips pursed in worry like he was made of glass.
She had taken a bullet for him. And yet she was the one who still smiled at everyone. She remembered how many guards needed cookies. She hugged cheap plushies like they were family.
How does someone stay like that, he wondered, after living through this filth?
He reached his car, opened the door, and sat down heavily. For a heartbeat, he let his elbows rest on his knees, fingertips pressed to his temples. He could feel it, something unfamiliar blooming in his chest, pushing up through old scars like green shoots through frozen soil.
It made his jaw tighten. It made his pulse do something it shouldn’t.
He shut his eyes. And for the first time in a long time, Leonardo Moretti — the man who had survived betrayal, blood, and a lifetime of distrust felt a single, painful thought echo in his ribs:
She’s too good for this world. Too good for me.
***
Bella came back from EliVFX Studio with a soft bounce in her steps, feeling lighter than she had in days. Her bag was slung across her shoulder, her hair a bit messy from the breeze. She still giggled to herself remembering how Rumi cracked silly jokes and how the whole team praised her little edits.
When she texted Theo not to come tutor her because she was out, he sent back the saddest crying emoji with a dramatic line: "I’ll miss my star student!" It made her giggle.
The mension was calm when she stepped inside. The golden light from the setting sun pooled through the windows, making the halls glow warm. She greeted a passing maid with a cheerful nod, then headed straight to her room.
She took a long, gentle shower, letting the warm water run down her back, washing away the tiny tiredness of the day. She changed into fresh, comfy clothes and then, like a ritual, gathered Berry, Moonbeam, and Snowball into her arms one by one, pressing soft kisses to their little plush heads.
"Good babies... did you miss me?" she whispered, letting her cheek brush against Berry’s tiny ear. They didn’t answer, but hugging them made her chest feel full and safe again.
A few minutes later, she padded downstairs in her cozy slippers and tiptoed into the kitchen. She found her favorite cold water bottle, pressed it to her cheek for a second, and then drank it down in small, careful sips.
She turned around, walking lightly toward the living room. The house felt so big at night but tonight, it felt peaceful, not empty. She settled on the couch and flipped through the movie list until her eyes lit up.
"The Beauty and the Beast!" she whispered to herself, hugging her knees as the opening music started to play.
A shy smile spread across her lips when she heard the female lead’s name. "Belle," she murmured, giggling softly. "Just like me..."
She curled up even smaller, her eyes fixed on the glowing screen.
Every time Belle danced on screen with her golden dress swirling, Bella’s lips parted in awe. "So pretty..." she whispered, hugging her knees tighter. She giggled when Lumière the candlestick flirted with the feather duster. She clapped her hands softly when Belle sang about her little town.
Sometimes she forgot she was alone, nodding along and whispering, "Yes! Go, Belle!" to the screen as if she were cheering herself on too.
But when the Beast roared at Belle, her own lips drooped into a pout. "Mean..." she mumbled under her breath, hugging pillow closer to her chest. When Belle cried, Bella’s eyes grew glossy too. She sniffed, wiping the corners with her sleeve. "It’s okay, Belle... he will love you," she said as if her soft words could reach the other Belle trapped in the screen.
By the time the ballroom dance scene came, her toes curled with excitement. She sat up straighter, eyes shining. "Ah! So beautiful... she looks like a princess..." Her voice was so gentle, as if she was afraid to disturb the moment. She couldn’t help it, she pressed her palms together, grinning. "One day I want to dance like that too..."
After the movie ended, Bella sat for a while on the couch, hugging pillow to her chest and thinking about Belle and her prince. Her heart felt strangely warm, even if her eyes were a little puffy from tearing up.
When she heard quiet footsteps and the faint sound of dishes being set on the dining table, she knew it was almost dinner time. She carefully stood up, brushed down her clothes, and patted pillow before placing it gently on the couch.
She walked into the dining area just as the lights above the long table flickered on. Alessandro was already there but when he saw Bella, his stern face softened instantly.
"Ah, Bella," Alessandro said, his deep voice kind. "Did you have a good evening?"