Divorce The Duke, Marry The King!
Chapter 52: Lose you to love me

Chapter 52: Lose you to love me

Song recommendation for this Chapter: Lose You To Love Me by Selena Gomez.

Silence lingered for a moment before Quinn finally spoke, his voice low but resolute. "I cannot explain why I was so convinced you deserved pain, but now I am certain you are the only one for me. Belle, give us another chance." His plea hung in the air, but Belle only scoffed, her disbelief cutting through his words.

Tears streaked down her cheeks as she responded, her voice trembling with anguish. "Another chance? I did everything to make us work, Quinn! I ran errands while carrying your child. I loved you more than anyone should ever love their partner. I never ran away from our misunderstandings butyou did! I tried to understand you, but you never cared to understand me. I tried to make us one, but all you ever did was destroy that dream!" Her voice cracked, and her fists struck his chest with every accusation.

The torrent of emotions overwhelmed her, and she felt as though her body was ablaze, her heart writhing in pain.

"I know," Quinn murmured, his gaze filled with remorse. "And I am sorry. Please, Belle, let me fix my mistakes. I need you." There was no defense, no justification he could offer, only the desperation of a man begging for forgiveness. He knew he didn’t deserve it, but if she granted him a second chance, he vowed never to hurt her again, even at the cost of his life.

"You are sorry?" She repeated, her tone bitter, wiping away her tears. "Do you have any idea what I sacrificed to keep our child alive, even while my health crumbled? I wanted to risk my life for that child, hoping you would love the child, care for the child while I was gone! And what did I get in return? You came home and looked at me with disgust, a result of your mother’s torture!" She struck her chest as if to drive the pain outward.

Quinn flinched, her words cutting deeper than any blade. He could feel the intensity of her anguish, the weight of every sacrifice she had borne alone. How had he allowed himself to be so blind, so easily manipulated? How had he never sought the truth?

"I..." he began, his voice faltering.

"Don’t!" She snapped, cutting him off. "I needed to lose you to learn how to love myself, Quinn. There is no second chance for us. Leave." She turned her back on him, her body trembling with emotion. She didn’t want him to see how broken she still was, how she shed tears for a man who had already shattered her heart.

Thinking he had left, Belle turned slightly, only to be caught off guard as Quinn embraced her from behind, his arms wrapping tightly around her.

"Let me go, or I will scream for help!" She shouted, struggling against his hold.

But he didn’t loosen his grip. Instead, his voice dropped to a pained whisper. "I was a fool, Belle, but one thing I could never truly do was let you go. As long as our bond remains, I will never let you go—not even in death."

Her anger flared, and she scorned him with venom in her voice. "You won’t have a choice once the King claims me. The worst you can do is kill yourself if you can’t accept reality."

Her words were meant to wound, but his grasp did not falter, his desperation refusing to let her slip away once more.

"I know you hate me and want revenge, but Belle, I am not doing this to stop your hatred," Quinn said, his voice steady but raw with emotion. "For you and for our child, I will right my wrongs. I will win your heart again by any means, even if it kills me. Belle, I am too selfish to let another man have you." His words were impassioned, but they only pushed her patience to its breaking point.

"You disgust me. Stay away from me!" She spat, tears streaming down her face. Her voice trembled with fury and sorrow, and at last, Quinn released her. He stepped back, his expression a mix of regret and determination.

"Wait for me, Belle. I will return after dealing with everyone who ever hurt you." He turned and left the room, his resolve unwavering, leaving Belle to collapse into sobs.

Moments later, Mia entered, rushing to Belle’s side. She guided her to sit and gently patted her back.

"Let it out, Belle," Mia said softly, her own expression tinged with bitterness. "You have kept it bottled up for too long." She had held back the guards earlier, hoping to see if Quinn had truly come to his senses. Perhaps, he had.

Through her tears, Belle choked out, "Mia! He finally apologized... but why do I feel sorry? Why do I feel..."

"Moved?" Mia interjected, finishing the thought for her. Belle nodded and clung to Mia, her sobs intensifying.

"Belle, don’t be so harsh on yourself," Mia said, her tone firmer now. "It’s natural to feel moved, but this is your chance to make him pay for everything he’s done."

Belle shook her head, despair clouding her features. "Mia, I can’t do it. You saw me earlier, just an apology from him, and my resolve was shattered. I lied to myself. My heart still races for him. I can’t resist him, no matter how much I try. I hate myself for being like this. Why can’t I be heartless like you? Why can’t I just be selfish for once?"

Mia sighed and placed her hands firmly on Belle’s shoulders, forcing her to meet her gaze. "Belle, have you forgotten the promises he made before you married him? How did they end? Have you forgotten the happy moments you shared? How did they end?" Her voice grew stern, her words deliberate. "It’s fine to feel moved, but do you know what isn’t fine? Succumbing to that feeling!"

Belle’s lips trembled, but she nodded, her tears slowing. "Yes, Mia, I remember it all. I don’t want to get hurt again."

Mia smiled, a sharp, satisfied smile. "Then use his feelings against him. Hurt him back before he gets the chance to hurt you again."