Chapter 6

"Also, you mentioned meeting with Kyle. Why? Don't tell me you're having second thoughts." Chloe looked genuinely worried. She knew Belle better than anyone and understood that Belle's tough exterior was mostly a front. Deep down, Belle carried a lot of guilt and regret when it came to Kyle. Whether there were lingering feelings, Chloe couldn't say for sure. After all, Kyle had once been 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 for someone like him." Belle's lips curled into a frosty smile. "Do you know the best way to make someone truly learn their lesson?" Chloe shook her head. "What is it?" "Despair," Belle said icily. "Back then, there was only a small difference between us, but now? It's a chasm. He could try to catch up, but he'd never make it. He'll have no choice but to accept how weak and insignificant he is. 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." Chloe nodded firmly. "You're right. He needs to learn his place. He needs to feel so small that he can't lift his head again. That way, he'll live every day knowing exactly who he is, trapped in regret and misery." Belle leaned back with a satisfied smirk, 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 rang. 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 famous Faith Curtis to call 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 released? 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 her. "You've always settled for my scraps, haven’t you? Some things never change," Belle said sarcastically. "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. Your family gave you up for their benefit, 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 know. 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 me?" 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, Belle gave Faith Kyle's address and number, fully expecting her not to have the courage to act on it. After hanging up, Belle's temple throbbed, her anger bubbling just beneath the surface. "Faith. She always hovered around Kyle back then, and now, years later, she still can't move on. She's shameless." Sitting beside her, Chloe 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 their advantage. "Honestly, Belle, isn't this a good thing? You want a clean break from Kyle, right? If he and Faith get together, it just means fewer headaches for you." "What did you just say?" Belle snapped, her voice sharp. "My divorce with Kyle is between him and me. Faith has no right to get involved. Who does she think she is, preaching to me about how I should treat him? Acting all high and mighty, like she's some saint. It's disgusting." Her hands 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 shameless one, sniffing around someone else's man." Chloe raised 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 drastic her actions were, it was clear she still had some feelings for Kyle. Belle might not have realized it yet, but Chloe had no doubt. But Chloe couldn't let that happen. If Belle softened even a little or, worse, regretted the divorce, Chloe's plans would crumble. Her chance to rise above her station would vanish. She had to make sure Belle kept moving forward, with no time for second thoughts. "Exactly, Belle," Chloe said, her voice dripping with contempt. "Faith's nothing but a hypocrite. Acting all sweet and noble, but she's the fakest person I've ever met." She leaned closer. "Remember how she'd come around back then, acting like she was helping us out? That was just her way of feeding her own ego. Tossing us scraps like we were charity cases. She treated us like beggars." 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 know how jealous her fiancé is. He'd never let it slide." She smirked. "Faith will 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.