At that moment, hell seemed to break loose, and the silence that followed was as heavy and unyielding as stone. The two of them stood in a tense stillness, staring into each other's eyes, each unwilling to utter a single word.
"My goodness, I believe I shall give you both a moment," murmured the lady, sensing the intense atmosphere, and she excused herself, leaving them to speak in private.
"What did you just say?" He asked, his gaze darkening.
"You heard me well, I seek a divorce. I wish for us to go our separate ways," she replied, her voice steady as she met his gaze with confidence, though inwardly she was shaken by his presence.
Clenching his fists, he began to advance toward her, his gaze piercing and deadly as it seemed to bore into her very soul. Belle swallowed hard, intimidated by his stance and aura, yet she neither cowered nor lowered her gaze.
"What is it you intend to do?" She asked, stepping backward as he closed the distance between them, her hands raised in a defensive stance, fearing he might strike her.
"I…" Her words were stilled as her back met the unyielding wall, leaving her with no place to retreat.
Quinn raised his hand, and she instinctively raised her own in defense, bracing for a blow, only to feel his fist strike the wall beside her.
"You thought I meant to harm you?" He asked, and there was a note of disappointment in his tone, though she was determined not to be swayed and met his gaze defiantly.
"What should I expect? If you are capable of killing your own child, you are surely capable of killing me," she replied, revealing her lack of fear and showing she would not be surprised if he chose to end her life.
"You are my mate, Belle, and I am yours. Divorce is the most foolish notion you could entertain. Do you believe any man would take a worthless creature like you as his wife?" He scoffed, his words biting, causing her heart to ache.
"Why should you concern yourself with it? Prepare the divorce papers, and I shall sign them," she replied with a steady voice, though he only chuckled darkly in response.
"No one could ever treat you with the kindness I have shown. Accept Sofia as my second wife, and I shall promise you this: you will never feel inferior. I will give you another child if that is your desire," he said, shamelessly pressing her to cast aside her principles as though they meant nothing.
Belle just scoffed, forcing back the laughter that threatened to come out. Could he even hear himself? She hated his guts and wished to strip him of that guts, no matter what it took.
"You once vowed never to mistreat me or be unfaithful, and yet here we are. I would sooner perish than believe your words again," she replied with disdain, feeling repulsed by him.
"People change, Belle," he said, to which she forced herself not to laugh.
"Oh, do they? Then perhaps I am changing as well. I wish for a divorce," she retorted.
"I hate to disappoint you, but your greedy father sold you to me, and I paid handsomely for you. How will you repay that debt?" He asked shamelessly, causing Belle's disgust to deepen. How could a man be so devoid of honor and remorse?
"I know not why you bear such hatred for me, but I beg you, do not deprive me of my chance at happiness. I will offer my assets, that should satisfy your demands," she replied, resolutely willing to sacrifice her hard-earned wealth to be free of him.
Quinn found it nearly inconceivable that she would not yield to his will, no matter his words. Frustrated, he resolved to employ threats instead. "Do you truly think you can secure a divorce so easily? Even if I consent to a legal separation, I shall never reject you as my mate. You shall never be free of me," he declared, stepping back from her with a darkened gaze.
"Oh, you will, Quinn," she replied coolly. "You have a week to make your decision and reject me as your mate, or I shall take away the one thing you desire most." Her gaze flicked briefly to Sofia, a smirk curling on her lips as she looked back at him.
"You wouldn't dare," he murmured, understanding her implication. She merely smiled before turning and leaving his chambers.
Once she was gone, Quinn slammed his fist against the wall, fury darkening his expression. This was not the Belle he remembered, she was no longer the naive, stupid girl who believed in love and allowed herself to be ruled by him. To see her making her own choices dissatisfied him. He wanted her dependent on him, helpless, bound to return to him, pleading.
He vowed that, no matter what, he would not fully release her. Legal separation or not, she would remain his, and none would free her from him but himself.
…
Back in her own quarters, Belle collapsed onto the floor, pressing her hand to her chest to steady her racing heart. She scarcely knew what possessed her to speak so boldly, to dare to threaten Quinn, yet the weight of it bore down upon her.
"My lady, what did he say?" Mia rushed to her side, her eyes bright with hope.
"He did not agree to the divorce directly, but he demanded compensation for the bride price, so I offered him my assets," Belle replied, her words drawing a shocked gasp from Mia.
"What? How shall we survive once we depart?" Mia exclaimed.
"What else was I to do? He is doing all in his power to prevent the divorce, and I could think of no other course," Belle responded.
"It's a trap! He knows that, deprived of assets, you will have no choice but to return, begging him for support," Mia said, clearly perceiving the man's cruel strategy.
"I know, but I had no other option." Belle lowered her head, already feeling the sting of regret. The trap was worth the risk if she would gain her freedom.
Mia sighed, then seated herself beside her. "I have managed to save a small sum. It should suffice for shelter and food for two months, but we must find a means to sustain ourselves beyond that," she confided.
"I know someone who might assist us in establishing a business," Belle replied, a glimmer of hope returning as Mia's face brightened.
"That's the spirit. Let us hope he signs the divorce papers and rejects you as his mate soon," Mia said, though her cheer faltered as she noted the shift in Belle's expression.
"Please, tell me there is good news?" Mia asked.
"He threatened to never reject me as his mate," Belle murmured dejectedly.