A/N: This is by far the best piece of suspense I have ever read in a story where everything starts making sense. Again if you have not read the novel or watched the film... you need to. Enjoy!

Rebecca

Grace5231973 prompted: A crashing of a ship near Manderley leads to an emotional confrontation and reveal from Anthony Gold. (Rated T)

Funny how things can change so quickly.

One second Belle was standing on the precipice of life and death; the next, reason and sense prevail so life can reign. As Belle stepped down from the ledge, she turned to face her housekeeper Zelena West. The red-headed woman had the audacity to appear contrite after she almost tried seducing her mistress to commit suicide.

That was a mistake.

"Ms. West," Belle said coolly. "I believe it might be best if you return to your quarters and remain there for the rest of the evening until I call you. Is that understood?"

Zelena pressed her lips firmly together and nodded.

"Go."

After a quick curtsey, Zelena was gone and Belle staggered to the closest chair and clutched the top as she took several deep breaths. She could not believe how close she came to walking through the window and down to the sea below. And all because her husband did not love her.

"Never again," she vowed to herself. "I love Anthony. If he cannot love me, then as long as I can still breathe I will love him for the both of us. That will sustain me."

Then she heard the explosions.

xxXXxx

The following several hours were a whirlwind of confusion, panic, and chaos.

A ship had run aground and dozens were injured as a result. Anthony, his servants, and other able-bodied men went to the aid of the sailors. Belle tried searching for her husband to see what she could do, but it seemed that every time she ran from the shore back to Manderley she missed him.

It was not until the harbor-master Captain Triton came with grave yet news of consolation. He had wished to speak to Anthony, but as her husband was indisposed, Belle listened to what he had said about a diver's discovery while searching for the cause of the ship's misfortune.

The news was astonishing to say the least. However, Belle believed her husband should find some comfort in it once he was told.

Belle was escorting the captain out when Anthony came home. Her husband was surprised to see the harbor-master, but Captain Triton immediately told him that they needed to speak. Belle wasn't given a second glance as the men exited to Anthony's study.

Perhaps he was still angry with her about the costume.

Belle fought back the urge to cry and instead chose to wait outside. When Anthony was ready to speak to her… he will come for her. Ten minutes passed and Belle watched as the captain went into his car and drove away.

It was done. He told Anthony what the diver found and her poor husband was still inside the house—no doubt he was in shock and grieving anew. As much as Belle wanted to hold onto her resolve to have her husband come to her, her heart ached and longed to be with him during this time of crisis. He could be waiting for her, calling out for her while she selfishly and heartlessly withheld her wifely comfort.

The heart won out as Belle scurried inside and headed into his study. While it was not what she imagined, Anthony was there, standing with his back to her, staring out the window, out towards the sea. His posture was rigid, his countenance difficult to discern from its reflection and darkness. However she knew her husband was strongly affected by the harbor-master.

He was lost to his own council, and Belle knew she must make the first move. She took his hand and pressed his fingertips to her lips. One by one she bestowed soft, gentle kisses before sealing another kiss on the back of his hand.

"My darling…" she murmured. "My poor Anthony. I cannot have you bear this alone. I am here."

He still did not speak, but what were words when actions were much stronger? Anthony put his arm around her and pulled her close so her head could tuck beneath his chin. His fingers stroked her lower back as he pressed her closer to him.

Belle closed her eyes in bliss. For so long she had gone without his embrace… This was heaven but he was very much stuck in hell. He needed her.

"You forgive me. You have no idea how happy that makes me."

"Forgive you?" Anthony gazed down at her. "I do not understand. What are you to be forgiven for?"

Belle's brow puckered in confusion. "Why, for last night. The costume. You were so very angry and thought I did it intentionally."

"Did I?" Anthony looked away. "I don't recall. I actually forgot about it. Was I terribly angry at you?"

She nodded. "You were."

"Ah." He said no more.

Belle knew it was time for her to act. To tell him what she always known along and to tell him how it did not change for her.

"Anthony, is it possible for us to start over? To face the world together come what may? You don't have to love me. I will not ask you for what you cannot give. All I want is to be your friend, your companion, your confidante. Nothing more than that is platonic."

Her husband inhaled sharply, his eyes snapping to hers. It was then Belle noticed the shadows lurking in him, the exhaustion. These past hours have been very trying, draining. No wonder Anthony looked ghastly pale.

"How much do you love me?" he questioned her. Desperation laced in his voice and the tortured pain that she wanted him to avoid was staring back at her. "Dear God above… it's too late. We've lost our chance for happiness."

"No Anthony. I'm here. I'm still with you," Belle said urgently, her hand resting on his cheek. "It's not too late. Please don't say such horrid things."

"It must be Belle. Everything is over. My worst fear has happened."

"What fear? Anthony…"

"It was the one thing I knew that would return to haunt me. I dreamt of this for too long. Every day, every night. It was always there and I thought marrying you would make some small difference in my pathetic existence. But I dared too much. I should have known not to find happiness. People like me we're not meant for it."

Baffled, Belle was uncertain what to make with her husband's cryptic remarks. Why could he not speak directly from the heart? Why these riddles? Why this mystery? Her heart was racing and she wished she could find the right words to assuage him, but her husband was in an awful state. He did not make sense, yet in his mind, he made perfect sense.

"Forgive my ignorance. I cannot pretend to understand you. What are you telling me Anthony?"

He broke away from Belle's grasp to put some distance between them. "Isn't it obvious? Cora has won."

Her blood turned to ice. Of course Cora won… Belle knew all along that the ghost of Manderley's former mistress was everywhere. But to hear it from her husband's lips… to have it confirmed… Belle should not have been surprised. Blinded with her misery, she almost missed Anthony's elaboration.

"…damn her. No matter what I've done she was there in the background ruining things for me. Even when I longed to hold you as I've just done, to kiss your lips, and to hear those loving words from your mouth… Cora had to get her claws into it. For as soon as I would feel myself getting closer to you… I would see Cora and I would remember my fear and I could not… My hopes and dreams were constantly being punished and I could not put her to rest. I remembered her eyes, her face, her devious smile. She knew Belle. She knew this would happen. She knew she would win. She always knew. 'I always win Anthony,' she told me. 'Love is weakness. Don't ever forget. In the end, I will be victorious.'"

"Anthony?" But he couldn't hear her as he covered his face with his hands.

"It's over. The boat. They found it. The diver found the boat," he moaned.

"Yes," she said slowly. "Captain Triton told me. Is this about the body they found as well? In the cabin?"

"Yes."

"Anthony, it's all right. Don't you see? It means she wasn't alone. She didn't suffer and die by herself." Belle knew how finding Cora's body all beaten and unidentifiable was traumatic for him. Nothing of his beloved wife was left thanks to Nature's cruel hand. She could not understand why this did not bring some solace.

"No…" He shook his head. "You don't understand. She was alone."

"Perhaps you thought so. But this could be a blessing. Cora wasn't alone."

"There was no one with her," Anthony reiterated. "Cora was alone."

Belle watched as he lowered his hands and looked into his eyes. There was nothing grieving about them.

"It is her body the diver found in the cabin. The woman I buried in the crypt is not Cora. She is an unknown, unclaimed. I said it was my wife and I buried her. There wasn't an accident Belle. Cora did not drown. I killed her. I shot her in the cottage in the cove. I carried her lifeless body to the cabin. I took the boat out to sea. I sunk the boat so I would never have to see her again. It is the boat and her body that they found. The crime I committed."

Moving towards her in act of distress, Anthony seized Belle by her shoulders and shook her once. "Will you look into my eyes and tell me that you love me now? Knowing I have my wife's blood on my hands? Will you tell me that you love me?"

Hmm… does she? Prompt away.