Chapter 74
Koele knew Chloe was creating an opportunity for them to talk. He also wanted to understand what game Telle was playing.
“Whatever you want to say, think it through,” he said, his tone cold and detached. “There are things between us that don’t need to be discussed anymore. In fact, it would be better if we didn’t even see each other again.”
Belle was furious at his dismissive attitude. She wanted to lash out, but thoughts of her planned revenge on Kyle and Faith made her grit her teeth.
“Kyle,” she said, feigning calm, “I think there’s been a misunderstanding between us that hasn’t been resolved.”
Kyle stared at her in disbelief, his voice slurred with incredulity.
“Misunderstanding? Are you even listening to yourself? What kind of misunderstanding do you think we have?”
Belle began to speak, only to be interrupted.
“Was it a misunderstanding when I went to prison for you? When you promised to wait for me and build a life together, only for me to walk out and find… divorce?”
“Was it a misunderstanding when your brother and mother came after me, causing trouble at every turn? Or the way the two of you mocked and…”
By the time Kyle finished, Belle’s face had turned pale, her anger replaced with embarrassment. She knew deep down that she owed Kyle everything. But she didn’t think she was wrong. She was a self-made woman, someone who had climbed the ladder of success one step at a time. And Kyle? He had nothing. He was an ex-convict. Staying with him would have dragged her down and destroyed her future. To Belle, her choices were justified.
Even though anger simmered within her, she reminded herself of her ultimate goal: to make Kyle and Faith pay for everything. To achieve that, she had to endure.
“Kyle,” Belle said with exaggerated gentleness, “I know you’re angry, and I understand why. That’s why you’ve done all these things—to make me angry, to make me regret…”
Before she could finish, Kyle cut her off with a raised hand.
“Let me make this clear—what I’ve done has nothing to do with you. Stop imagining things,” he said curtly.
Belle’s composure didn’t falter. Her voice remained soft, almost soothing.
“Now you’re just saying that because you’re upset. If you truly didn’t care, why would you even stop to listen to me?” Her gaze locked onto his, her eyes probing for a response.
“I don’t believe that I mean nothing to you,” she continued. “If I didn’t, you wouldn’t be Kyle. You’ve never lied to me before. Can you look me in the eye and tell me you don’t love me anymore?”
Kyle let out a long, steadying sigh, as if trying to understand the weight of her words. If Belle had asked him this question just a few days ago, it might have mattered.
He looked into Belle’s eyes, conflicted. During the six years he spent in prison, she never visited—not once. Every time, she had an excuse. Kyle had believed her, excused her, and never resented her. He had poured his energy into thinking of her, working behind the scenes to help her succeed. He was planning for a future where she wouldn’t have to… That load shattered when he walked out of prison.
Kyle knew he could easily erase the memories of their good times. But he also knew he could never go back to the way things were. What had changed in Belle over those years? He accepted that it had, and he had no choice but to move on.
“Kyle said quietly, shaking his head with bitterness. “What you’ve become and how you’ve treated me… it’s your choice, and I respect that.”
A wave of disappointment washed over him. Belle’s expression gleaned with… had found her answer. Kyle still cared about her. He still loved her.
Explaining would be pointless. It was clear she was misunderstanding something, but he didn’t bother correcting her.
For Belle, though, the situation was thrilling. She felt a strange mixture of satisfaction and emptiness, but what stood out most was the feeling of victory. Unshed tears welled in Belle’s eyes as she said, “I made mistakes before, Kyle. I know that you… and I know I failed to support you. But can’t you understand my reasons? Can’t you see how difficult it was for me?”