"Even if I don't mention Rachel, she's still between us. That's indisputable. Do you really feel nothing when she's around you? I don't believe it." Duke had withdrawn his arm from around Belinda. She turned on her side, causing the coat to slip.
"If that's what you think about me, then all my explanations would go in vain." Duke didn't want to get angry, but a sense of overwhelming frustration seized him. Everything he did was futile when it came to her.
"I knew it. You don't even intend to explain yourself. We aren't married out of love, so we don't have to be faithful to each other." Belinda rose to her feet. She shook the sand off her shirt and began walking dazedly, away from Duke. In her hurry she forgot to pick up the overcoat he had put on her.
"Belinda, are you in love with me?" The wind carried Duke's words to Belinda, as the scent of seaweed grew in the air. But Belinda was in no mood to enjoy the pleasant smell, because Duke's words had shocked her. They stood with their backs facing each other. Neither could see the sorrow on the other's face.
"Ha! You think that could ever happen?" Belinda smiled and said in a mocking tone. Duke's love was out of her reach. He probably had feelings for his ex-girlfriend. How could she admit to her love for him when his own wasn't certain? She was afraid of stepping on her own heart.
"If not, excellent! Don't fall in love with me. I can't give you the love you want." Belinda closed her eyes in bitterness. She had expected that answer, but she still felt a stabbing pain in her chest. She didn't mean what she had said, but apparently, Duke didn't love her anyway.
"You don't have to worry about that. I'm not a naive girl; I don't ask for things that aren't mine to have." A single tear slid down Belinda's face. She tried to get a glimpse of Duke from the corner of her eyes, but it was in vain. She bit her lip to suppress the impulse to cry, then she turned around and began walking briskly. It was too painful to remain on this beach any longer.
Duke swallowed angrily as Belinda walked away. At long last, he turned around to follow her. To his surprise, she wasn't heading to his car. Duke panicked, hastening his pace. As soon as she was within his reach, he took hold of her wrist.
"Belinda, where are you going? Are you crazy? Stop testing my patience, please!" Daisy had told Duke about Belinda's temper. But her capriciousness and ruthless words had hurt and enraged him so much that he left the advice far behind.
"Let go of me. After all, you think I'm a crazy woman who likes to make trouble for no reason!" Belinda shook his hand away violently. She resumed walking without turning back again. Her face was stained with tears.
"Look at yourself, Belinda! You're using Rachel as a pretext to express your dissatisfaction with me." Duke clenched his teeth to subdue his fury. Belinda was determined to leave, and he couldn't do anything but watch his stubborn wife leave.
"You can think whatever you want. If you think I'm mad enough to make a fuss over nothing, then my explanation would only appear deceiving to you, just like you said!" Belinda turned to cast Duke one last glance. Then she stepped forward and left without hesitation.
Duke stayed in place, having lost the will to keep up with Belinda. Anger took possession of him. He should walk away and pay no attention to her. No matter how awful she felt or the dangers she could walk into at this hour, he'd do well to turn a blind eye to her. But he couldn't! He wouldn't have felt this pain if Belinda meant nothing to him. The beach looked like an ugly monster this late into the night. All Belinda could feel was her sadness. In spite of the dark and the unknown trail ahead, she kept walking with purpose. Compared to the abyss behind her, she was willing to be the prey of a wolf, tiger, leopard or any other dangerous animal. There was no way she'd retreat.
Like a naughty fairy, the sea wind played with Belinda's hair until it was a tangled mess. The hair veiled the woeful expression on her face. She couldn't take the smothering pain in her heart any longer. The person who was first to fall in the snare of love was the one who suffered the most, she felt. Just look at Daisy and Edward. They were the best example of it!
If there was a way she could time travel, she'd wish she never met Duke. He was her fatal venom, who had poisoned all her senses so she was no longer the woman she used to be. He had changed her. She was deeply affected by his every little conduct.
Belinda had never envied two people in love, for they seemed to undergo tremendous pain, although there must be sweet moments between them too. It was hard for her to grasp that her own love story was full of torments. It wasn't until this moment that she understood why Daisy had lost herself after her being Edward.
A flash of light came up from behind her, illuminating the rugged road beneath her feet. However, Belinda's pain was still shrouded in darkness. With no intention of blocking the road, she stepped aside. But the vehicle didn't pass her. Instead, it pulled over by Belinda's side.
"Get in the car," said Duke coldly. The passenger door on her side flew open. "No, thanks. I can walk home," Belinda stubbornly refused, glancing at him indifferently. She didn't linger for a moment longer before walking ahead.
"The house is quite far away. Are you sure you want to walk?" Duke asked through clenched teeth. His handsome face had darkened.
"I'm sure. Don't bother. it's none of your business." Belinda spoke the words against her wish. She didn't, of course, want to walk home or refuse Duke. But her pride was at stake.
"Fine. Do whatever you want. I won't insist any longer, if it means forcing you into doing something you dislike." Duke shut the car door furiously. Stepping on the gas, he drove away at full speed. He was enraged to the extreme. So it was none of his business, huh? He'd like to see how long she could stay out here.
More tears streamed down Belinda's cheeks. She stopped to watch the lights of Duke's car eventually disappear out of view. Sadness overwhelmed her like a rampant flood. She lost the strength to support herself and crouched down. Burying her head between her legs, she cried her heart out.
Belinda remembered how Duke had said he'd never leave her. But now, he had just driven off and left her behind. Duke had broken a promise. Men were truly untrustworthy liars. Even if she refused to get in the car, couldn't he have held on for a little longer? Didn't he care? Did he not know that sometimes, a woman's refusal was a disguise for wanting attention? In her vulnerable state, a woman needed even more love and understanding.
He wouldn't have left her behind if he had seen that. But whom could Belinda blame for this sham of a marriage? They weren't lovers. Sure, they were husband and wife, but they didn't act like a real couple. Was Rachel truly better than her? She was Duke's ex. He must have been hers, body and soul. But as Duke's legal wife, what did she own?
The seaside of S City was quite remote from the downtown. The night was pitch black and only a crescent moon hung in the sky. The trail was shrouded in darkness. As she stood up to walk, Belinda lifted her teary eyes to take measure of her gloomy surroundings. The terrible sight made her hair stand on end.
Belinda sped up as fear spread in her heart. She finally grasped what she had gotten herself into. She hastened ahead. It was so dark that she tripped on gravel, feeling a sting on the palm of her hand. In spite of the sharp pain, she got up and went in the direction of the highway. She could take a taxi once she got there.
She felt a sense of helplessness she had never experienced before. She had never been as fragile before now. Belinda wasn't usually a person who cried a lot, but tonight her eyes were a river of tears. She knew very well that Duke had a heart of stone, but his coldness went beyond her imagination.
Suddenly, a staggering figure caught Belinda's attention. She stopped, afraid. A man singing an obscene song came into her view. Belinda quickly took several steps aback. Was he drunk? she wondered, cautiously studying the man. If that was the case, what could she do? She turned around to take a look at the beach. But it was so far away! How would she run? The beach might not necessarily be a safe place either. There were several roads from the beach leading to the highway. What if the people at the beach had left by the other roads? What if nobody was there? Who could help her? If she went back, wouldn't she be further away from home?