Divorce The Duke, Marry The King!

"The Duke has returned!" The maid's words hit Izabella like a bolt of lightning, leaving her in a state of shock.

"So soon!" Izabella muttered, her heart sinking. The Duke was supposed to be gone for three days, how could he return on the second day? She had barely had time to relish her victory, nor had she tortured Belle to her satisfaction. It was all going wrong.

"Quickly! See to it that Belle is cleaned up. We must make it appear as though we have not harmed her too severely. My son still holds some misplaced affection for that woman!" Izabella snapped, her voice laced with irritation. Without another word, she hastened out of the room to greet Quinn.

As she reached the entrance, Izabella's breath caught in her throat. The sight of Quinn, his face dark with anger, sent a chill down her spine. Has someone informed him of her actions? What if he takes Belle's side?

"My son, you have returned just in time," Izabella said, her tone feigning joy as she reached out to him, taking his hand.

"Where is she?!" Quinn thundered, jerking his hand away from her grasp.

"The dungeon," Izabella replied, stepping back.

Without hesitation, Quinn stormed towards the dungeon, tearing open the prison gate where Belle lay.

"How dare you try to poison my woman?!" Quinn's voice, full of rage, jolted Belle from her sleep. Slowly, she rose to her feet, leaning against the wall for support.

For a brief moment, Quinn's anger faltered as he took in her tattered state, his eyes narrowing in confusion.

"You are back," Belle said bitterly, offering a faint smile, a flicker of hope igniting within her.

"Did you do it?" He demanded, stepping closer.

"Do you truly believe I would do such a thing? And 'my woman'?" Belle scoffed, her voice laced with surprise. The way Quinn had referred to Sofia made her stomach twist. She clearly remembered the endearment he had once reserved for her.

"Answer the damn question!" He roared.

"I expect an investigation before any accusations are made, something your mother has clearly neglected," Belle replied coolly, her fear now replaced by resolve. "If you wish to uncover the truth, then follow the proper procedure."

"Very well," Quinn muttered, gesturing for the guards to take her out.

…

In the grand hall, the tension was palpable as the servants and onlookers stood in silent anticipation. Belle, her body nearly lifeless, lay on the floor, awaiting her fate. Her eyes scanned the room in search of Mia, but the absence of her friend only heightened her worry. What had Izabella done to her?

"Belle Brooks, did you poison Sofia?" Quinn's voice rang out, cold and accusing.

Belle slowly sat up, forcing herself to face the question with defiance. "I did not poison Sofia, and I see no evidence to support such an accusation," she declared firmly.

"Belle, please, confess, and perhaps the Duke will overlook your actions for the sake of your position," Izabella interjected, her voice dripping with false concern. Belle couldn't help but scoff. A smile spread across her face, though it was one of bitter irony. The servants exchanged knowing glances, they all recognized this as Izabella's scheme, yet none dared speak up, for fear of their own lives.

Belle's heart twisted as she thought of the man she had once loved, the man who would have never allowed her to suffer this way. How could he stand by and watch as she was brutalized, without a hint of concern? It was a cruel irony.

"You accused me of poisoning Sofia, and you are the most suspicious person here. Shouldn't we be questioning you as well?" Belle shot back, deciding to turn the tables on Izabella.

"You—" Izabella began, her face contorted with rage, but before she could continue, Quinn's voice thundered.

"Enough!" He roared, his command silencing everyone in the room.

"Where were you when Sofia was poisoned?" Quinn demanded, his voice cold as he fixed his gaze upon Belle.

"Do you truly think I would poison Sofia?" Belle retorted sharply, her tone laced with disbelief.

"You once threatened to," he replied, his mind recalling the time when she had used Sofia as a tool to try and manipulate him. But when Belle burst into laughter, his resolve faltered. Could he truly believe her capable of such a thing?

"Do with me what you will," she muttered, her spirit seemingly broken, as she sank to the floor in resignation.

"Belle Brooks!!" Quinn bellowed, his fist slamming onto the table with such force that the room seemed to tremble. His fangs bared, and everyone instinctively recoiled in fear. Yet Belle remained motionless on the floor, her expression unchanging, unfazed by his fury.

Seeing her indifference, Quinn's rage reached a boiling point. His decision was final. 

"I hereby sentence Belle Brooks to death…" he began coldly.

"Your Grace!! This is the culprit!!" Mia's voice rang out, cutting Quinn off. She strode into the room, a maid, slightly injured, in tow, with Klaus following behind them.

Izabella's eyes widened in alarm as she saw the maid, and her heart pounded in fear. How had that little wench managed to capture her? Hadn't she already sent the maid to the south?

"Who is this?" Quinn's voice turned dangerous, his gaze narrowing at Mia for interrupting him.

"The one who poisoned Sofia," Mia declared firmly. "Klaus and I caught her before she could flee south."

Izabella's heart sank as Quinn's piercing stare fell upon her, his anger only growing with each passing moment.

"Speak!" Quinn barked, his fury palpable as he pointed to the trembling maid.

"Du… Duke…Your Grace, someone ordered me to poison Miss Sofia! I swear, I did not act alone! You must believe me! I would never carry out such a task by myself!" The maid stammered, trying desperately to explain herself.

"Who dared to poison my woman?" Quinn thundered, his dark gaze narrowing on the maid.

The maid shook violently, and her eyes flicked toward Izabella, her head slightly inclined. Izabella's fists clenched beneath her gown in frustration.

"Have her beheaded," Quinn suddenly commanded, his voice oppressing.

The room erupted in shocked gasps. Could he truly be willing to kill her without hearing who had truly ordered the poison?

"Duke Quinn!! She has yet to name the one who set her upon this task. We cannot execute her until the true culprit is revealed!" Mia protested, stepping forward boldly, her finger pointing accusingly at the maid.

"That is of no importance," Quinn dismissed, his tone final, his hand waving it all aside. Belle, still lying motionless on the floor, allowed herself a bitter, ironic smile. She had been wrong about everything, divorce was never the solution. She had been naive, blinded by hope. He never loved her. Izabella had been right all along, she had forced him into marriage, one that Quinn never desired. If it weren't for her desperate plea and sudden proposal, he would have rejected her. And now, with such hatred festering in him, she knew that his threats of ruining her happiness were no empty words. He would always find her, wherever she went.

There would be no end to her misery, and so, with a heavy heart, Belle decided to put an end to it herself.

"I was wrong," she murmured softly, a new resolve taking root in her heart before she lost consciousness, her mind fading into the darkness.