Chapter Two

“Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Laurent.”

Belle wasn’t nervous… or at least, this is what she kept telling herself while earlier, she was looking at the mirror, combing her hair. Even after changing her mind for what felt like the hundredth time, she is still unsure if she chose the right dress.

Heck, she was even nervous thinking about what type of makeup look she would be wearing today. There was no need for her to please the parents. Her actions, however, say otherwise.

It was hard to show a sweet smile, but she managed just fine. On the inside, there was an uneasy feeling, an internal chaos she wouldn’t like to admit was happening. Their presence made her almost forget that Nikolai was in the same room.

It was surprising to see Oliver Laurent smile. Nikolai has consistently described him as a strict father growing up, giving her the image of a grumpy old man. Adeline’s fake smile was easy to spot, on the other hand. It was a contrast to the intense stare Belle couldn’t help but notice.

The last person she noticed was Preston on the same table, with a stoic expression. Looking ready to attend a business meeting.

That’s when she saw the empty chair next to Nikolai. The seat where Belle thought she was supposed to sit.

“Please, have a seat,” Adeline said, pointing at that chair as if she could read what was on Belle’s mind.

After finally taking a seat, she finds herself at a loss for words and unsure where her eyes should land. Coming here was like serving herself willingly, trapping herself in a spider’s web. It would be better to be anywhere else but at that restaurant. It didn’t help that there were no other customers. By this time, her plane was supposed to be flying, and she was probably looking at the skies, thinking about the concept of her next photoshoot.

There’s apparently two Mr. and Mrs. Laurent here, huh?” No food was chewed, but Belle almost coughed and choked on nothing with Adeline’s comment.

She was subtly attacking her, and everyone knew as much, but Adeline’s sophistication was causing Belle to feel intimidated.

“I hope you didn’t mind, Isobelle. I didn’t know what food you would like, so I let Niko order for you.” Adeline said with that fake smile. Her lips merely curled, and her cheek slightly lifted in a forced way.

“No problem. Please call me Belle.”

The silence of the men was almost annoying, especially from Niko, who could be nervous or uncomfortable with having Belle seated so close next to him. Belle would like to think it was the latter. She would take whatever kind of effect she had on Nikolai—adding that to her list of petty victories.

"We're getting divorced." Out of the blue, Nikolai announced.

Silence. The announcement came as no surprise for everyone. Even his parents continued to munch on their food and ignore what Nikolai just said.

“And we don’t want you to meddle,” he continued.

“You should try the truffle,” Adeline told her, not even giving her son a glimpse.

Belle wasn't sure whether the lack of screaming and fighting was a good or bad sign. From what she knew, their family speaks through codes and hidden meanings.

Treating their situation like a puzzle or strategic game makes her head feel like it's about to burst. Even after all the preparation, she finds herself at a loss for words and remains an observant outsider to a family that she is technically still a part of, even with the lack of a wedding ring on her finger.

“My son has his ways of getting on my nerves, doesn't he?” Adele was looking straight through her eyes. “I’m sure as his wife; you would know a thing or two about his… patience, or the lack thereof. Something he definitely got from his father.”

“This is none of your business. We will handle this ourselves, Mother. I am begging both of you whatever it is you are planning,” Niko pleaded. “Just stop wasting your time and let us handle this.”

“You are right. Let’s stop wasting our time.” Oliver said. “No one is getting divorced.”

“He never wanted to marry me in the first place,” she butted in. Every word was a challenge to utter. She had already made peace with this fact but admitting it out loud was different. “I’m sure you wouldn’t approve of me if you learned about this… marriage. It will be for the best if we pretend none of it ever happened.”

“Really?” Adeline asked Belle. Gone was the pretend sweetness in her voice. “Do you think it’s for the best?”

“Mom, Dad, why are you so involved with this?”

“We are not here for you,” Adeline answered. She pointed her finger at Belle. “Or for you. If I heard about someone like you marrying my son, as you said, I don't even think a mistake disguised as a wedding would happen. But it already happened. You are still legally married to my son. We didn't take part in any of your decisions, but I think now is the time we rightfully meddle. Right, hun?"

Belle was furious. One of the things she hated the most was being forced on what she should or shouldn't do.

“For the love of God-”

“We know about the child,” Oliver announced, making everyone fall still and silent.

Belle felt like it was a trap but only this time did she feel stuck, unable to make a single move.

It was like ice-cold water was poured over her body, and was left frozen to die, except that she will have to stay alive even when it felt like death already.

“A boy, I heard?” Oliver continued. "Discovered about him just in time for his first birthday."

Belle could not even bring herself to open her mouth. She was scared of what his parents could do with this information. What if they decide to get him? What if they take away her child? Thoughts like this start to run through her mind.

She would rather run away than let them take her son.

That moment, she wanted to storm off the room badly.

“I’m sorry, what?” Nikolai finally spoke, but Belle couldn't answer. She can't even look him in the eyes.

This secret can't be hidden forever. Maybe she withheld that information, but she wasn't hiding it. If Nikolai could have at least tried once to reach out to her, to see her and ask her how she has been, maybe he would know.

But he didn't. After losing Belle’s first pregnancy, Nikolai looked at and treated her like a burden... an unwanted obligation.

But she tried. She tried so damn hard, but in the end, she got tired.

What difference can a child make?

He still hates her. He would still be forced. Maybe it would make him stay, but that impossible space to fill will always be present.

Her son doesn’t deserve him as a father.

“What are they saying? Can you please explain?!” Nikolai raised his voice, stirred with the sudden revelation.

“We will proceed with the separation,” she wipes her mouth with the napkin, finishing her meal. “And as initially planned, my lawyer will stay in touch. If you have anything to say, you may contact her with the number on the card I gave you.”

Without a proper goodbye, Belle walked out as fast as she could. Not even giving anyone a second glimpse.

All this happened in just one day. How cruel can fate be? She hasn't even tasted a single day of independence yet.

Belle was impatiently pressing the elevator buttons. Repeatedly cursing in her head when it was still not opening.

“Belle.”

Just when the day could not get even better.

“Fuck,” she uttered under her breath."

“Was that true?”

He held her arm, but she was quick to brush him off. Looking into his eyes, she got a clearer view of his bruises from yesterday.

Now is not the time to get worried!

“Don't touch me.”

“Is it true?” He asked again.

After almost two years of not seeing each other, here they are. They are standing eye to eye in front of the elevator.

There was a certain look of desperation on Nikolai’s face that Belle had witnessed for the first time. His eyes were pleading, and the fearless lawyer Belle knew was gone, scared as hell with what could be the truth.

“You said it would be best if we never had a child.”

“That was when-”

“You said it would be a mistake.” She cuts her off. It was time for him to hear the words he had said before. These kept haunting her memory. Nikolai was never the same person after hurting her with those words. "When you said those, I was already pregnant."

Belle had the upper hand. Nikolai is hurting, probably regretting, but this isn't worth it. It would be better to bury the trauma of her past rather than relive it today.

“That was when we just lost our baby. I was hurt when I said those things.”

“And? Didn't you mean it back then?” Tears were starting to fill her eyes. It was impossible to hold back all the loneliness and anger she had kept inside of her. “What difference does it make?”

When the elevator opened, she could no longer control her sobs. Belle immediately rushed in.

“You always wanted to get rid of me. Well, you got what you wanted. Send my regards to that woman you left me for and that child you raised together.” She managed to say before the door closed.