Divorce The Duke, Marry The King!
Chapter 85: Mine again

Chapter 85: Mine again

"Let me go before someone sees us," she commanded, but instead of releasing her, he only drew her closer.

"I am afraid I can’t do that," he murmured, his grip firm. "I gave your man my word to stay away." Yet his eyes, shamelessly fixated on her lips, told another story.

"Then why aren’t you staying away?!" She snapped.

"I never said I would stay away in private." A smirk played on his lips. "Belle, may I kiss you?"

She sighed, exasperation flickering in her gaze. "You already know the answer will always be no, so stop asking. And don’t act as if you have the right to hold me like this, not after ignoring me the last time we met. Where was that man who wanted me nowhere near him, huh?" Her frustration bled into her words, her anger unmistakable.

"That performance was for Steve, so he could report back to his master," he admitted, unbothered. "It’s rather difficult to flirt with you when he’s lurking around. Didn’t I tell you?"

"Tell me what?" She pressed.

"That I would help you be with him if he is your choice."

Belle exhaled sharply, rolling her eyes. "You are really doing a fantastic job of that," she quipped, sarcasm laced in every word as she pushed against his chest.

"What would you have me do, then?" He asked, his tone light, though his gaze remained intent.

"Reject me." Her voice rose slightly as she declared it, the air between them shifting.

For the first time, his expression darkened. His hands slackened at her waist, and Belle knew it was her cue to walk away. Yet... something held her back. A part of her needed to hear it, to know what he truly felt, to hear him say the words she had longed for.

But he remained silent.

Annoyance surged within her, and she spoke before she could stop herself. "Why? Does rejecting me trouble you so much? Stop playing this game, stop acting as if you own me! If you want to leave, leave! I am done seeking revenge, done chasing shadows. I want to live for myself now. My happiness is none of your concern."

Her voice wavered, her eyes glistening, but she refused to let the tears fall.

Still, he said nothing.

She scoffed, shaking her head. "You are a joke." With that, she turned to leave.

But before she could take a step, his arms wrapped around her from behind.

"Let me go!" She screamed, struggling against his grasp.

"That, my dear, has proven to be the hardest task for me," he whispered, his breath fanning against her ear.

Her frustration flared. "What is wrong with you?! Stop confusing me. Stop swaying me. Stop breaking my resolve! Just let me be! We owe each other nothing! Whatever proof there was of our love is gone, and you killed it yourself." Her words struck with the force of a dagger.

His hold on her tightened, his voice a quiet torment. "Belle... that memory haunts me every night. If I could, I would give anything...anything to bring our child back."

"There is no going back for us," she stated coldly. "And there never will be."

Quinn turned her to face him then, his gaze dark with anguish. His heart twisted at the unshed tears clinging to her lashes. Slowly, he leaned forward, brushing his lips against her cheek, then lower until his tongue traced the tear that had slipped free.

Belle’s breath hitched, her eyes widening.

"Quinn!" She gasped, stunned by his actions.

"I told you, Belle," he murmured, his voice heavy with emotion. "If I could take away all your pain and bear it myself, I would. But I cannot reject you. Even if you were to bear his children, I still wouldn’t be able to turn away from you. I have to hold on...to whatever sliver of hope remains, that one day, you will be mine again."

She fell silent, unable to respond.

After a long pause, she whispered, "I am exhausted." Then, as if surrendering to the weight of it all, she rested her head against his chest, her eyes slipping closed as she steadied her breath.

"Come." Feeling the soft rise and fall of her breaths, he gently gathered her into his arms. Too drained to protest, Belle simply leaned into him, allowing him to take her wherever he pleased.

Quinn carried her away from the banquet hall, down a dimly lit path leading to a house standing at a quiet distance.

"Your Grace." The servants immediately recognized him, bowing as they ushered him inside. Without hesitation, they led him to a guest chamber.

"Do not enter unless summoned," he commanded. "And speak of this to no one."

The maid nodded diligently before closing the door behind him.

Quinn strode toward the bed, lowering Belle onto the soft mattress with the utmost care. He pulled the duvet over her, his fingers lingering as he took in her sleeping form. The last time he had seen her rest so peacefully was their first night together after their wedding. She had trusted him completely then, she had given him everything, including herself, to protect and cherish. And he had destroyed her.

A mistake he could never undo.

Though the memories of the past still haunted him, though fear whispered that she might one day become like his mother, none of it mattered. He would never let harm come to her again.

Gently, he brushed a stray strand of hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear. His heart ached with the urge to lie beside her, to hold her close as he once had. But he had no right. Not anymore. All he could do now was watch as another man claimed what had once been his.

The thought burned through him, and with a sharp breath, he turned to leave.

Then—

A delicate touch.

He froze, glancing down to find her fingers wrapped around his wrist.

When he turned back to her, their gazes met through the haze of drowsiness. Her lips parted, and in a quiet breath, she murmured, "Stay... for a while."

His chest tightened.

"I will," he promised.

Taking a seat beside her on the bed, he let his fingers thread through her hair, soothing her into slumber.

His thoughts churned. What had worn her down so badly? Why had she left the hall in such a state? More importantly, why was she always leaving Hezekiah’s side whenever they were together? Had they argued?

So much for asking him to stay away. He had barely been gone for weeks, and already, that man was breaking her heart.

Quinn exhaled slowly, his fingers continuing their gentle rhythm through her hair.

"You are making it impossible for me to stay away," he whispered.