Chapter 8: Sofia has been poisoned?
"My lady!" Mia's voice rang out as she rushed into the chamber, her expression dazed at the sight before her. Belle lay trembling on the floor, stripped of her dignity.
"Oh, my lady, I cannot bear that this torment should befall you again," Mia cried, kneeling beside her and wrapping her in a protective embrace. She gently patted Belle's back, her own heart breaking at the sight. The scene was painfully reminiscent of a darker time, a time when Belle's father had nearly defiled Belle had her late mother not intervened.
"Mia! I wish to leave this wretched place! I hate him, I hate it all!" Belle sobbed, her tears flowing freely as memories of the past clawed at her.
"We shall, my lady. I vow to see you free of this place," Mia promised with firm resolve, her arms tightening around Belle.
"Mia... he swore never to harm me," Belle whispered, her voice fragile and trembling. Mia could only continue to comfort her, knowing that words of reason would do little to ease the pain in her heart.
...
The days that followed brought an uneasy calm to the mansion. Belle performed her duties as the Duchess with quiet precision, avoiding all interactions with the Duke's mother, Izabella, and Sofia, the Duke's new lover. She trod carefully, knowing her freedom was but five days away. Quinn had promised to sign the divorce papers, and she clung to that hope with all her might. If enduring these last few days meant her release, she would tolerate it without complaint.
"My lady!" Mia burst into the room one afternoon, her face pale with panic.
"What is the matter, Mia?" Belle asked, a wave of dread washing over her. "Is it him? Is the Duke coming here now?" She added, bracing herself for another confrontation.