Chapter Four

Nothing came out of Stella’s mouth. No sign of agreeing or disagreeing. Too stunned to speak, Stella stared back at Belle’s eyes with immeasurable seriousness.

“I mean it,” she said.

“Why would I agree to this?”

Belle couldn’t believe why there was still a need for her to explain her terms when it was clearly in favor of Stella. It was a good deal, a great deal in fact. She is asking for nothing from her side, no help, and no drama.

“What’s in it for you?” Stella was suspicious, and it was written all over her face. Her eyebrow raised. “You are still his wife. The last time I remember, you still wanted him.”

“Geez, that was a long time ago. I think I deserve to move on, right? It’s really simple, Stella. Go, have him. I even came here to give the divorce papers myself. If that doesn't work, I can do it again and again. Until I am free from that shit-hole I once called , marriage. Point is, I simply want to cut ties. That’s all.”

“That’s all?”

"Let me put it this way." Belle lazily checked the time on her phone. She had spent too much time in unwanted territory. It's time to wrap things up. "I am giving you what you want, and the only thing I want in exchange is I don’t want any more questions asked. You can have him. Take it or leave it. Either way, I don’t want him anymore."

Stella was testing her. She is surrounded by high, secured walls that wouldn't falter soon. Belle couldn't care less.

At the end of her very tiring day, she didn't come to make friends here. She didn't want to play best friends with the girl she loathed and envied for years.

There was a laughing sound from the kid, and it made her look up. The carefree laughter made her heart clench again. "I need to leave," Belle hurriedly said. "Send my regards to your kid." Then looked again from the place where the sound was from.

"Hello, Mrs. Laurent?" Preston addressed on the other line the moment she picked up the phone. He sounded like a stranger void of any emotion. Belle knew this tone too much. This is his 'lawyer voice'. This was how he talked to his clients.

"Are you playing a joke on me or what?" She answered back. A draining day after another, and that day is not the day to make fun of her misery. "Please, don't make any jokes right now, Preston. If you could see my face, you'd see how miserable I am."

"I know," he answered back. “I am not calling as your brother. I am calling on behalf of our partner and client, Attorney Laurent.”

“Oh no, no. You are not playing that role today, Preston. Not to me, your own sister.”

“I would like to invite you to our firm to discuss the divorce paper you-”

“He did that.” Belle interrupted her brother. When she was young, growing up with her brother's protectiveness made her timid. At times, she didn't know how to stand on her own. When she was finally independent, she learned how to stand on her own and stand her ground. “I just returned what he sent me. He was the one who initiated the divorce. I was clear, Preston. Any discussion that involves the divorce will be through my lawyer. I will hang up now.”

“Wait.”

Belle’s thumb lingered on the end call button.

“Can you come to my unit then? I am requesting this as your brother.”

She heaved a sigh and decided not to end the call for her brother. “Can I say no?”

“You can, of course. You are grown up and can decide for yourself. I’m sorry if I got too over-involved. I hope you understand where I’m coming from, Isobelle. You’re my little sister. Anyone that hurt you is dead to me. Then, I found out it’s my closest friend of all people?”

The guilt was starting to find its way to her chest again. This wasn’t the first time. Over the years, she was visited by guilt and shame of deciding for herself and not doing a great job at it. Belle tried to be happy, to the expense of many sacrifices. She was aware that she was blindly following her heart. In the end, this process ended up with her heart broken too. She can think this to herself, but it took years to fully accept the fact that she was also responsible for ruining a part of her life. However, she is not ready to say this in front of anyone yet.

“Are you still living in the same unit?” She timidly asked. Maybe it was their sibling connection that she could imagine her brother smiling earnestly right now.

“I just transferred, and I will send you the address right now.”

This was the only good thing that had happened since going home. “Okay. See you tomorrow.”

“See you, Isobelle.”

Her brother gave her the combination password to his unit because he said he had business to attend to. She patiently waited in the living area, where she gushed about what to share. She kept Liam’s existence a secret. It was a long time, and she would have to apologize for that. Preston did nothing wrong, but he was affected by both her and Nikolai. Now that her marriage is soon to be over, it’s time to make things right.

Of course, she would show Preston pictures of Liam. He would be so proud of his nephew, who inherited their brainy side. Belle no longer wants to keep Nikolai in the equation. Liam got his father’s bone structure and the lower part of his face, but she didn’t think much about it. For her, Liam is her son alone.

The door opened, and she got her huge smile ready for a much more welcoming reunion, only to see Nikolai at the doorstep. Her smile dropped. The happiness she was feeling vanished through thin air. What is this man doing here? Did Preston plan this?

“Are you following me?” She asked, then noticed a folder he was holding.

Nikolai wasn’t able to utter a single word. Her wide clueless eyes were still recovering from the sight of her. He was surprised to see her too. His adam’s apple moved, and he licked his lower lip, trying to compose himself.

“I was here to drop some documents.”

“In Preston’s home?”

“I was on my way home, and Preston said he’s not in the office anymore.”

It was amazing how Nikolai was now taking his time to explain things to Belle. She couldn’t even imagine how she happened to endure the months of silent treatment Nikolai gave her. He didn’t get angry. He didn’t show any affection. During the whole time, he was miserable. He made her feel even more miserable.

Now that he was speaking to her, she didn't give a shit of whatever he had to say anymore.

She was ready to leave the room, but Nikolai grabbed her hand.

"Don't touch me." She tried to let go of him. She easily succeeded since it was only a light hold.

"Can't we even speak alone?" It sounded like a plea.

"Do I sound like a bitch now?" She asked, her eyebrow raised while her eyes watered from trying not to cry. "Are you cursing me in your head? Are my words not making sense to you? I don't know, and I don't care what role I play in your perspective. I guess you could say it was my fault. I was fully aware that I was just a rebound girl… even in the beginning. I don’t want it anymore. I don’t want half of you, especially when it’s obvious you never wanted me."

Nikolai bravely looked straight into her eyes. He is a lawyer who was trained how to face every situation. Belle already gave up. She wished he would show a bit of vulnerability, but he didn't. She was never a loss to him.

He is trying, but it will not take long for him to give up. He will move on from his life, and the time they spent together will be nothing but a memory that will vanish when the time comes.

"Can’t you even talk to me? Not even for our child? I believe I get to have a say in this too, Belle. I am still your husband, and I am our child's father."

"Nikolai, I beg you. Don’t say that." Hearing it from Nikolai's own mouth brought a shiver to her spine. "Don’t use my own child against me. You- You don’t deserve a place in our lives. You willingly left while I was still mourning the loss of my first pregnancy."

Nikolai took a tiny step closer when Belle started to sob. She took a step back. Her pride was what kept her standing and not breaking down completely.

He didn't know what to say. She knew him enough to know that. Nikolai is a thinker. He never lets his mouth get the best of his brain.

He was probably calculating how close he should be. What are the perfect words for the situation? Belle was sick of it all.

"You can’t even stay with me for pity. I felt shitty thinking I don’t deserve anything, so no, you don’t get to play the father. Not now, not ever."