Chapter 75

Belle stood there, her expression a portrait of anguish, as if carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. Kyle's brows furrowed tightly. This was clearly a misunderstanding. Everything he’d said was meant to make it clear that their relationship was firmly in the past! Belle had somehow twisted his words into something that sounded like he still loved her.

“Wait, that’s not what I—” Kyle barely managed to begin before Belle cut him off, her tone bitter yet sorrowful.

“Kyle, you don’t need to explain. I understand better than anyone.”

“These past years, while you were in prison, do you think I was truly free? Every step I took was cautious and filled with fear. I may look successful now, but in reality, I’ve been walking on thin ice.”

“You have no idea how many smiles I’ve had to fake, how many kind words I’ve been forced to say. It’s been so hard, Kyle. One misstep, and I would have fallen into the abyss. Do you even understand that?”

The more Belle spoke, the more Kyle felt like he was watching a performance. This wasn’t the Belle he was used to; she was never this melodramatic. Others might not see through her, but Kyle did. Her so-called struggles couldn’t possibly have been as difficult as she’d claimed. He knew exactly how many people had supported her, helped her, and even pushed her forward. It was that very smooth journey that had turned her into someone so self-important and arrogant.

Kyle narrowed his eyes slightly.

“Let me guess—your entrepreneurial path has been pretty smooth, hasn’t it?”

The question caught Belle off guard, and for a moment, she faltered. But she quickly shook her head, her voice firm. “Kyle, you’ve been in prison for six years. The world outside has changed so much. You just wouldn’t understand.”

“Fine, I don’t understand. But tell me, what does any of this have to do with our divorce?”

Belle’s expression stiffened as Kyle continued, his tone growing sharper.

“Let me make a wild guess—you didn’t want the stigma of being married to an ex-convict. Maybe you were worried it would tarnish your reputation. Or perhaps…” He leaned in slightly. “…you didn’t want your ‘special someone’ to find out you had a husband like me.”

“Well, you’re always telling me to be honest with myself. How about you be honest and admit I’m right?”

His words didn’t hurt anymore; instead, they filled him with a sense of cold detachment. After years of love, he’d gone to prison for her. He had done everything he could to help her. And what had he gotten in return? Divorce papers the moment he stepped out. Even the kindest of souls would feel bitter.

A slow, steady lava of anger built within him.

“Let me be clear, Belle. The only reason I’m standing here and listening to you is out of respect. Nothing more.”

He paused, his voice becoming tight. “And let me tell you something else—I didn’t have to go to prison. I chose to, because I wanted to teach you a lesson. To show you that no one achieves success on their own. I thought it might humble you, but clearly, I was wrong. You’ve only become more arrogant.”

Belle clenched her fists, anger bubbling just beneath the surface. He chose to go to prison? Acting like he was some kind of martyr? It infuriated her. She knew better than to show her true feelings so easily. She softened her voice, lowering her gaze.

“I may have made so many mistakes, Kyle. I was wrong, and so was my family, but that doesn’t excuse you letting my mom and my brother…” She trailed off, unsure of who was right or wrong. “I just want to tell you I regret everything. I regretted it the moment you signed those divorce papers.” She choked back a sob. “Together, it’s tearing us apart. I know now I still love you.”

“I gave you everything I ever had, freely. Now that you see it that way, does it make you happy?”

Two teardrops slid down Belle’s cheeks.

Kyle stared at her, momentarily at a loss for words. Then,

“Aren’t you supposed to be a powerful CEO? Yet you’re crying in the middle of the street. Aren’t you worried about making tomorrow’s headlines?”

Once, he had loved Belle with all his heart. But that didn’t make him a fool. He could now see through her act. If she wanted to put on a show, fine. He’d play along.

Kyle shook his head lightly.

“Alright, tell me. What do you want now?”

The moment Belle saw Kyle’s attitude soften, her eyes lit up. She knew her tears had worked. Without missing a beat, she clenched her fists and playfully pounded on Kyle’s chest, her tone suddenly coquettish…