Xxx
Belle walked into the room, a tray of tea in her hands. She placed the tray before the imp, who gave her a soft smile. Belle was immediately on edge. There was something... wrong about his smile. It seemed... sad and fearful. Belle self-consciously placed a hand on her swollen stomach. She still had five months till the child was due and the wait was already driving her crazy! The first month after she had found out, she had been a mess, but Rumplestiltskin treated her like a normal person, though he was careful with her. That in itself was the greatest kind of help she could get.
If only he could love her the way she did him.
But she knew better. He was kind, but she was dirty. She was carrying another man's child. No one would ever want her. But if she could at least have him as a friend, for however long he'd have her, she could cope. For now, at least.
"Is something wrong, Rumple?" Belle asked.
Rumple looked up at her, ignoring the tea.
"Belle... you may leave."
Belle froze.
"Having a child born here... it's not the best thing. I can assure you safe passage to wherever you want to go, and I can arrange for all your needs to be taken care of," he said.
"If... you think it's best," Belle said.
"I do."
Belle closed herself off, trying to hide from the pain that plagued her heart.
"You may leave whenever you wish," Rumple said.
Belle nodded.
Xxx
Belle looked back at the Dark Castle. She knew he promised to take her wherever she wanted to go, but there was no way she could without breaking down. He didn't want her anymore. Who could blame him?
She continued to walk down the road surrounded by the forest. Hopefully, she'd be able to find a map and-
Belle didn't even have a chance to scream. She was dragged away into the forest, something on the cloth covering her mouth and nose causing her to slowly lose consciousness. She tried to fight, and fight she did, all the way until everything turned black.