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 knitted 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 start 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've fallen into the abyss. Do you even understand that?" The more Belle spoke, the more Kyle fe