30

Hayden’s POV

The car moved smoothly along the quiet road, the low hum of the engine filling the silence between us.

I sat back in the leather seat, one arm resting lazily on the door while my sharp eyes studied the woman sitting across from me, Belle.

She looked far too comfortable and too confident as her fingers rested lightly over her stomach, and the faint smile on her lips carried the smugness of someone who believed she held all the cards.

My jaw tightened slightly as I looked at her. She thinks the pregnancy makes her untouchable and that was exactly the problem.

I had tolerated her games before, I had watched her schemes, listened to her provocations, and let many things slide because they amused me.

But the moment she started questioning my judgment, questioning my choice of mate, she had crossed a line as I don't like being challenged, especially not by someone who believed she could corner me.

I tilted my head slightly, studying her as the passing streetlights flickered across her face.

“You have been awfully bold today,” I said calmly as Belle turned her head toward me, that same confident smile lingering on her lips.

“Bold?” she repeated lightly. “Is that what you call honesty now?” she asked.

My lips twitched. “Careful,” I murmured. 

“Honesty and disrespect are very different things,” I added.

She shrugged, leaning back in her seat. “Oh, please, Hayden,” she said dismissively. 

“You are acting like I insulted your crown,” she said, and my eyes darkened.

You might as well have but instead of reacting, I lifted my hand calmly. “Stop the car.”

The vehicle slowed before coming to a smooth halt on the quiet roadside. Belle raised an eyebrow.

“Why did you stop?” she asked.

I shifted slightly, turning my full attention to her now as my voice was calm, too calm.

“I prefer important conversations without distractions,” I said as her eyes sparkled with interest.

“So this is important?” she said and I smiled faintly.

“That depends on how honest you plan to be,” I said as Belle crossed her legs slowly.

“You’re the one who stopped the car. Speak,” she said as I watched her carefully. She wasn’t afraid, not even slightly.

Most people trembled under my gaze, but  I am without Belle.

She had always been reckless and that confidence was exactly what would make her fall.

I leaned back slightly. “You were questioning my choice earlier,” I said smoothly. “About Livia.”

Belle’s smile faded just a little. “I wasn’t questioning,” she replied lightly. “I was simply surprised.”

“Surprised?” I was confused.

“Yes,” she said with a small laugh. “You chose her as your Luna so quickly.”

I tilted my head slightly, “And that bothers you?” I asked.

Belle shrugged again. “It just seemed impulsive.”

I let out a quiet chuckle. “Impulsive,” I repeated as I looked out the window briefly before speaking again.

“You know,” I said slowly, “Livia is actually a very interesting woman.”

Belle’s gaze sharpened slightly immediately I made the statement.

“Is she?” she asked, her voice low.

I nodded slightly. “She wasn’t always comfortable around me.”

Belle frowned slightly. “What do you mean?” she asked, and I smiled faintly at her.

“At the beginning, she was very shy.” I turned my gaze back to Belle.

“She barely spoke. Barely looked at me.”

Belle’s fingers tightened slightly over her stomach.

“And now?” she asked as my smile deepened.

“Now she trusts me,” I replied, but Belle said nothing.

Her attention had clearly sharpened, and I noticed it immediately.

Why would that detail interest her so much? I thought to myself, but still, I continued speaking casually.

“At first, she was even too shy to share a bed with me,” I said calmly with a smile.

Belle’s head turned sharply, and I noticed the reaction, but even at that, I still continued deliberately.

“She was nervous. Hesitant.” I said, my voice softened slightly.

“But she changed,” I said and Belle’s eyes narrowed.

“How?” she asked, and I let out a quiet laugh.

“She learned to open up,” I replied as I looked directly at Belle now.

“And when she did, she surprised me,” I added and Belle’s jaw tightened.

“How so?” she asked.

I leaned back comfortably. “She makes me feel like the luckiest man alive,” I added, and silence filled the car.

Belle’s smile had completely disappeared now and I noticed it.

There it is, a flicker of something crossed her face, not anger, not exactly, but something darker, and something personal.

I watched her carefully. “You seem quiet,” I said, but Belle forced a small laugh.

“I’m just listening,” she said coldly.

“Are you?” I asked.

“Yes.” she replied.

I tilted his head slightly. “You should see the way she looks at me now.”

Belle’s fingers curled tightly. “She looks at me like I’m the only man in the world,” I said.

Her voice came out sharper than before. “Well, she should. You are her husband,” she said, and I chuckled softly.

“That’s true,” I replied.

Then I leaned slightly forward. “But I imagine it’s the same for you,” I said, trying to watch her closely.

Belle blinked. “What do you mean?” she asked, looking at me.

I locked onto hers. “You are a beautiful woman,” I said and her expression hardened.

“And?” She asked.

“I’m sure your husband finds it difficult to stay away from you.” I said.

The silence that followed was thick and heavy.

Belle looked away for the first time since the conversation began, and I noticed immediately.

I continued calmly. “A woman like you,” I said slowly, “must keep her husband very happy.”

Belle’s voice was tight.“That’s none of your concern,” she said, anger visible in her voice.

I smiled faintly. “Of course it isn’t.”

“But marriages are interesting things,” I added.

Belle looked back at me cautiously.

“How so?” she asked.

I shrugged lightly. “Some couples struggle,” I said.

Her expression stiffened. “Struggle?” she asked.

“Yes.” I replied calmly.

I spoke casually now, as if discussing the weather. “Some can’t seem to build a family.”

Belle froze immediately as I watched her reaction carefully; her breathing changed, just slightly but he noticed.

He always noticed. “You mentioned earlier that you envied Livia,” I continued.

Belle’s voice turned cold.“I said no such thing.”

“You implied it.” I reaffirmed.

“I didn’t,” she said and I smiled calmly.

The tension inside the car thickened as I leaned forward slightly, my voice quiet but sharp.

“Tell me something, Belle,” I said and she glared at me.

“What?” she asked.

“Is everything alright in your marriage?” I asked.

Her eyes widened slightly. “That’s not your business,” she said angrily.