Chapter 6
“Also, yesmentioned meeting with Kade. Why? Don’t tell me you’r hunding second thoughts”
Chloe looked geminely womed. She knew Belle better than anyone and understood that helle’s laugh exterior was mostly a front. Deep down, Belle carried a lot of guilt and recivet when it came to Kyle.
Whether there were lingering Frelings, Chloe couldn’t say for sure. Alter all, Kyle had once hero good to Belle and the Cotton family.
But Belle shook her head, her expression cold. “I was too soft before, and that made Kyle forget the massive gap between us. Letting him off easy? That’s too kind
Belle’s lips cutled into a frosty smile. “Do you lasow the best way to make someone truly leam Hirir lesson?”
Chloe shook her head. “What i
“Despair, Belle salicily. “Back then, there was only a small difference between us, but now? it’s a chase. He could try to catch up, but he’d never make it. He hurve no choice but to accept how weak and insignificant hels. He won’t even dare raise his voice. That’s despair.”
Her tone sharpened. “I’m going to make Kyle understand. He’ll know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that in front of me, he’s nothing but an ant. A nobody. A washed
– up ex–con who isn’t worth mentioning ”
sad again. That way, he’ll live every day knowing
Chlor nodded time. “You’re right. He needs to leamhis place. He needs to feel so small that he can’t lift his head a exactly who he is, trapped in regret and misery”
Belle leaned back with a satisfied smick, already imagining Kyle’s reaction. She pictured him filled with remorse, regretting every decision that led him to this point—especially raising a hand against Matthew.
Just then, her phone ring
When she saw the caller ID, Belle frowned. After a brief moment of hesitation, she answered.
“Well, well, this is a surprise. What would bring the Lamous Faith Curtis tocall little ol” me?”
A soft, hesitant voice came from the other end. “Belle, I’m sorry to bother you, but i just i just wanted to ask. Has Kyle been celeased? And Have you two
divorced?”
Hearing Faith speak about Kyle so gently made something twist uncomfortably in Belle’s chest. It felt like someone was eyeing something that still belonged to
“You’ve al
always
settled for my scraps, haven’t you? Some things never change, Belle said sarcastically.
ared now. Your family gave you up for their benefit
“What’s it to you? Whether Kyle’s out or if we’re divorced, it’s none of your business. Don’t forget–you’re engaged now. Faith. You should focus on being the perfect little housewife for them Stop dreaming.”
Faith went quiet, her voice dropping. “You’re right. I don’t have the right to ask. But… I just want to low. Can’t you tell me? I won’t do anything, I promise.”
Then, with a sincerity that grated on Belle’s nerves, Faith added, “Kyle’s the best man I’ve ever known. Please don’t hurt him. You’ll regret it if you do.”
Belle’s anger flared Even now, engaged to someone else, Faith was still hung up on Kyle.
“Faith, mind your own business. If you care so much about Kyle, why don’t you go to him? Protect him yourself! Why are you asking, i
Her voice turned icy.“Let me tell you something. Yeah, we’re divorced. And I’d love to see if you’ve got the guts to actually care for him openly.”
A mocking laugh escaped her. “Oh, but let me warn you your family wouldn’t stand for it. If your fiancé found out, you’d end up dead. And the rest of your family? They’d go down with you.”
With that Beür gave Faith Kyle’s address and number, fully expecting her not to have the courage to act on it.
After lunging up, Belle’s temple throbbed, her anger bubbling just beneath the surface. “Falth. She always hovered around Kyle back then, and now, years later,
sitting beside her, Clue let out a sigh. She felt Belle was overreacting. Kyle was out of her life now, and if he ended up tangled with Faith, that could actually work to the advantage.
“Honestly, Belle, kon’t this a good thing? You want a clean break from Kyle, right? It he and Faith get together, it just means fewer beadaches for you.”
“What did you just say?” fielle snapped, her voice sharp. “My divorce with Kyle is between him and me. Faith has no right to get leolved. Who does she think she is, perar hing to me about how I should wat him? Acting all high and mighty, like she’s some saint. It’s disgusting. ”
Herbands balled into fists. “No matter what, Kyle is still my ex husband. Faith has no right to lecture me, especially not when she’s already engaged. She’s the
Chloe talsed an eyebrow but kept her thoughts to herself. Deep down, she suspected Belle wasn’t as over Kyle as she claimed to be. No matter how harsh her words or how drasticher actions weir, it was clear she still had some feelings for Kyle.
Belle might ont luver realized it yet, but Chlor luad nun doubt.
Bot Cline couldn’t let that happen. II Helle softened even a little or, worse, regretted the divorce, Chloe’s plans would crumble. Her chance to star above her station
Would vansh
She had to take sine Belle kept moving forward, will time for serial thoughts.
“Exartly, Belle,” Chlor said, her voice dripping with contempt. “Fall’s nothing but a hypocrite. Acting all sweet and noble, but she’s the fakest person I’ve ever
She leaned closer “Remember law.sle’d come around back then, acting like she was burlping us ust? That was just her way of feeling her own ego. Tossing us scraps like we were chanly cases the treated unlike beggan
Belle’s jaw tightened, her nails digging into her palms.
Chloe pressed on. “Here’s what you do. Let Faith go see Kyle. Whatever happens between them, we can spin it however we want. You low how jealous her fiancé is He’d never let it slide.”
She smirked. “Faith will pay de
I pay dearly for it, and if you still feel anything for Kyle, you can swoop in as the hero. Show him who’s really in control,”
Belle’s eyes narrowed as she gave Chloe a long, calculating look
