"My lady!" An elated young girl hurried over to a slender woman tending to linens on a clothesline.

Smiling, the lady turned her attention from her task to the girl, amused by her spirited demeanor. 

"My lady, my lady!" Breathless, the girl finally reached her side, bending slightly as she held out a letter, her eyes alight with excitement.

"It appears you have received a reply. What news does it bring?" The lady remarked, believing it was a letter for the girl. She dried her hands on her gown and stepped closer to her.

"No, it is a letter from the Duke himself! I managed to intercept it..." But before the girl could finish, Belle had already seized the letter, widening her eyes at the horror they were about to face.

She widened her eyes, bewildered, and scolded,  "What have you done? If…" about completing her sentence, she halted when she heard the receding steps of a familiar person and wished for the Goddess to stop time at the moment. Just the thought of being caught was making her lose her mind, what was she going to do if her mother-in-law beat her again? 

"Dear heavens!" Belle whispered, realizing their time had run short. She pulled Mia behind her, quickly snatching the letter to shield her from the woman's wrath.

"I…" Belle's words were abruptly silenced by a slap across her cheek, causing Mia to gasp in shock and fury.

"How dare you steal the letter my son sent to me?" The older woman thundered, her gaze fierce as though she might strike again. 

"My apologies, Mother," Belle murmured, lowering her head. "I merely wished to know if he had written me a word. I have missed my husband 

When she heard that the letter was missing, she immediately thought of Belle's audacious maid. Belle was too stupid to do anything bold on her own, it could have only been her maid and she honestly enjoyed it, it allowed her to maltreat her endlessly. 

"Spare me that cunning look, I know what you are but you shall not deceive me!" She cried out, on the verge of losing it. If it wasn't for the child in her stomach, she would have beaten her up. 

Knowing the woman wouldn't believe whatever she said, Belle could only defeatedly lower her head and give in to her insults. It was better than getting beat up every day. 

"You shall scrub the Duke's chambers until there is not a speck of dust remaining." Her mother-in-law ordered a malicious intent lacing in her eyes. 

"I…mother…" Belle started, stammering as she tried to summon the courage to beg for leniency. 

"Hold your filthy tongue. See to it that the room is spotless," the woman commanded coldly. Turning to leave, she paused with a malicious glint in her eye.

"Ah, one more thing. I know of your little plans to reconcile with my son. Allow me, as a loving mother-in-law, to offer a hint. He will be bringing a lady guest with him. Do ensure that his chambers are suitable for her comfort. Who knows, it may be the beginning of a new chapter in your marriage." She smiled, a bitter gleam in her eye, leaving Belle dismayed. 

Could it be true that the Duke was returning with another woman? Or was this just her mother-in-law's attempt to hurt her? Belle watched her retreating, and could only sigh as she thought over her last words. She and the Duke might not get along well, but he wouldn't cheat on her.

"I am sorry for putting you at odds with her," Mia whispered as they left, her face full of remorse.

"It is nothing, Mia. Let us go and prepare the Duke's room," Belle replied, though her heart ached.

…

Later that day, the Duke's entourage arrived, and Belle felt her breath seize. Without sparing a thought to what she wore, she rushed toward the main entrance, eagerly darting her eyes over the entourage to find her husband.

She didn't want to anger her mother-in-law by going outside the mansion so she decided to wait for him at the entrance.

"My son!" A familiar voice drew Belle's attention and there he was, standing upright amidst everyone, his aura gripping that she almost choked just by seeing him.

As she looked upon the Duke, he exuded an air of silent authority. His midnight-blue coat, adorned with silver embroidery, fit him perfectly, while a finely tied silk cravat, secured by a jeweled pin, added an elegant touch.

Beneath, a subtly patterned waistcoat hinted at his wealth and status. Every detail, from the gleam of his cufflinks to the sharp cut of his collar, was crafted to perfection, marking him as a figure both refined and formidable. It had been two months, she was both happy and worried to see him.

Her joy was cut short when a beautiful, endowed, and estranged woman suddenly wrapped her hands around his elbow in an intimate manner. 

'They are probably just friends,' she convinced herself inwardly, not until the Duke bent over and dropped a light kiss on the woman's lips causing Belle's heart to ache in a way that she couldn't explain. It was more of grief than a heartbreak, she felt like she had lost something at that moment.

"Quinn…" Belle murmured, barely able to summon the strength to utter his name. If she was told Quinn would cheat on her with another lady some months back, she would swear that he wouldn't. This was the same man who promised to never take another woman no matter what misunderstanding they faced. Could it be a prank of his to scare her? If so, it was working and she hoped he would stop anytime from now.

What she was seeing was too much for her to bear and she could feel her sanity losing its grip.

"My lady!" Mia came to stand beside her and called, devoid of how to comfort her.

"Mia, what am I to do for our child?" She whispered, glancing down at her rounded belly, holding back the tears that threatened to fall.

"He has truly brought another woman home." She said, letting the realization dawn on her.