His innocent wife is a dangerous hacker.

Chapter 839: Chapter 839 Cold

After a few minutes, Nonna’s fingertips paused at certain places around Bella’s scalp, pressing lightly before moving in slow circles.

A pleasant cooling sensation spread through Bella’s head.

Her shoulders gradually relaxed. She felt lighter with every passing second.

Curious, Bella opened one eye.

"Nonna..." she murmured.

"Hm?" Nonna replied.

"Is this acupressure?" Bella asked.

Nonna smiled proudly without stopping. "Yes."

She gently pressed another point near Bella’s temple. "There are many pressure points on the scalp."

Her fingers continued their rhythmic movements. "When you massage them correctly, blood circulation improves."

She moved to another point behind Bella’s ears. "It helps relax the mind..."

Another gentle press. "...reduces headaches..."

Her fingers glided toward the crown of Bella’s head. "...relieves stress..."

Then she softly massaged the base of Bella’s neck. "...and even helps people sleep better."

Bella let out another peaceful sigh. "It feels amazing... I almost feel like I could fall asleep."

William smiled as he watched his granddaughter slowly melting into the chair. Her face was relaxed, her eyes closed, her lips curved into a soft, contented smile.

William said softly. "She’s already asleep."

Nonna glanced down at Bella’s peaceful face.

"Let her rest," she whispered lovingly.

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Bella ran barefoot through an endless meadow, her laughter drifting softly through the warm summer breeze. The grass was soft beneath her feet, cool and gentle, like a thousand tiny feathers brushing against her skin.

The world around her felt impossibly beautiful.

Golden wildflowers swayed like tiny dancers beneath the gentle wind, their sweet fragrance filling the air. Petals of gold, white, and pale pink drifted lazily around her, catching the sunlight like tiny jewels. Above her stretched a brilliant sapphire sky without a single cloud, while warm sunlight poured over the land, wrapping everything in a comforting glow.

Her long white gown fluttered gracefully behind her with every step she took, the delicate fabric floating across the soft grass as though it belonged to the wind itself. Her brown hair streamed behind her, catching the sunlight.

She smiled.

Everything felt... peaceful.

There were no worries and no fear.

She stretched out her hands as she spun happily among the flowers, feeling as though the entire world had become wonderfully quiet. Her jingling laughter echoed across the meadow.

Then...

The wind stopped.

Bella slowed her steps.

A strange chill brushed across her skin. She frowned slightly and lifted her head.

The beautiful blue sky was changing.

Dark clouds rolled across the heavens with unnatural speed, swallowing the warm sunlight one piece at a time until the golden meadow was covered beneath a dull gray shadow. The vibrant colors of the flowers seemed to drain away, leaving behind only muted shades of gray and white.

The air grew heavy.

The flowers that had been dancing only moments ago stood completely still. The birds that had been singing fell silent.

A distant rumble echoed across the sky.

Bella hugged herself. "...It’s going to rain."

The first cold raindrop landed on her cheek.

Then another.

Within seconds, rain poured from the sky. It fell in thick, heavy sheets, soaking her hair, her gown, her skin.

"Oh no..." She looked down at her white gown. "It’ll get dirty..."

Looking around anxiously, she noticed a tiny cottage standing alone in the distance. Its old wooden roof peeked through the curtain of rain, its windows dark and empty.

Relieved, Bella gathered the edge of her gown and hurried toward it. Her bare feet splashed through puddles, the cold water shocking against her skin.

The rain soaked her within moments. By the time she reached the small porch, strands of wet hair clung to her face and her gown was heavy with water.

She pushed open the wooden door.

Creeeeak...

The sound echoed strangely, long and drawn out like a voice calling from the past.

She stepped inside. The cottage was quiet and looked abandoned. Dust floated lazily through the dim air, dancing in the thin beams of gray light that filtered through the grimy windows. An old fireplace sat cold in one corner, its hearth filled with ash and cobwebs.

Near a rain-covered window stood a simple wooden bed covered by a faded white blanket.

Bella sighed softly. "Oh..." She brushed the rainwater from her sleeves. "I’m completely soaked."

She walked over and carefully sat on the edge of the bed. The mattress sagged beneath her, releasing a puff of dust.

Outside, the rain grew heavier.

Tap...

Tap...

Tap...

The steady rhythm against the window was oddly calming. It filled the silence, a familiar sound in an unfamiliar place.

Bella wrapped her arms around herself, waiting for the storm to pass.

Then...

She heard very slow footsteps.

Thump...

Thump...

Thump...

Bella frowned. "...Hello?"

No answer.

She looked toward the hallway. Nothing. Only darkness, thick and heavy like a curtain that had been drawn over the world.

The room suddenly became colder. Her breath misted in the air.

The rain outside no longer sounded peaceful. It sounded violent. The windows rattled in their frames. The candle on the nearby table flickered before dying completely.

Darkness swallowed the room.

Bella’s breathing became shallow. "...Is... someone there?"

Silence.

Then...

Thump.

Closer.

Thump.

Closer.

Thump.

Right outside the bedroom door.

Her heart began pounding. She could feel it in her throat, in her ears, in her fingertips.

She slowly stood from the bed.

The hallway beyond the doorway had become impossibly dark, as though the shadows themselves were alive. They twisted unnaturally, stretching across the walls like grasping hands. They crawled along the floor, reaching toward her. They breathed, a soft, rhythmic whisper that filled the silence.

Bella took one frightened step backward. "N-No..."

The shadows suddenly rushed forward.

A tall, human-shaped figure emerged from the darkness. Its face was impossible to see, just a void of blackness, a hollow where features should have been. Only two burning crimson eyes floated within the darkness, glowing like embers in the night.

Before Bella could scream—

A freezing hand shot forward.

It wrapped tightly around her throat. Her eyes widened in terror. Cold.. So cold... Like ice had been pressed against her skin.

She clawed desperately at the icy fingers crushing her neck. Her nails scraped against the shadow but they passed through it like mist.

No matter how hard she struggled...

She couldn’t breathe.

The shadow dragged her closer until those burning eyes were only inches from her face.

Its voice was deep and broken, filled with unbearable hatred. "YOU..."

The walls trembled. "You little bitch..."

Its grip tightened.

Bella gasped desperately for air.

"It was because of you..." The shadow roared, its voice echoing from every corner of the cottage at once. "BECAUSE OF YOU... I DIED!"

Its scream shook the entire cottage. The windows rattled. The roof groaned. The walls seemed to close in around her.

Rain slammed violently against the windows, like fists pounding on the glass.

"You killed me!"

"It was your fault!"

"I LOST EVERYTHING BECAUSE OF YOU!"

The crimson eyes burned brighter and brighter until they became the only thing Bella could see. The rest of the world faded away, swallowed by that terrible red light.

The shadow leaned closer, its icy breath brushing against her face.

"I finally found you..."

Its voice became terrifyingly quiet.

"And this time..." Its fingers tightened around her throat until darkness crept into the edges of her vision. "...you won’t escape."

The cottage suddenly echoed with Bella’s silent struggle as the nightmare swallowed every trace of the beautiful dream that had come before. Her vision darkened. Her lungs burned. The crimson eyes were the last thing she saw before everything went black.

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