Helplessness slammed into Bella.

She forced a thin smile. "Forget it. Believe whatever you want. Nothing I say matters."

"Daddy, see? She admitted it! You have to punish her!" Oliver clung to Steven's sleeve, sneaking a glance at Ada.

One tiny nod from her, and he relaxed.

Steven crouched, smoothing Oliver's hair. "Good boy. Daddy will always protect you."

Then his tone snapped cold. "Take Bella to the chapel. She doesn't leave until I say."

Final. No arguing.

He stood, helped Ada up, and the three of them walked out like a picture-perfect family. Not even one glance back.

Ada did. Her smug spark sliced Bella open.

Outside, a car engine roared to life. Miranda smirked, chin lifted, and waved the staff on.

Some of the old servants whispered as they dragged Bella away. "Mrs. Rocca, don't worry. We believe you. Mr. Rocca must have his reasons. He loves you—he wouldn't really let you suffer."

Bella gave a bitter half-smile. She was leaving soon anyway. None of it mattered.

The chapel punishment was brutal.

Days on her knees. Staff, following orders, hurled insults, shoved, slapped—drilling it in again and again: she was nothing.

She stayed silent. Took it all. Bit her lip until the taste of blood spread across her tongue. Let despair sink deeper.

Her mind drifted back seven years—Steven kneeling here almost seventy-two hours just to marry her. His ribs had nearly cracked again, one breath away from permanent damage.

It hadn't just been Miranda forcing him—Heidi warned her. Even her own parents. Everyone knew the Roccas worshiped heirs.

But she pitied him. Believed in them. Married him anyway.

And now? This was her punishment for loving the wrong guy.

'Steven, I hope you regret this for the rest of your life.'

***

By the fourth morning, the Rocca chapel doors creaked open. Steven stepped inside.

"Honey, I've come to take you home." His voice was hoarse, his face worn and exhausted.

Bella didn't move. Her hollow eyes stayed fixed on the memorial plaques.

The ancient chapel was untouched by time, every Rocca patriarch carved into brass and marble, candles burning nonstop.

She'd been stupid to believe Steven would ever give up an heir.

This ending was hers alone.

Bella didn't answer. She pushed herself up, legs dead from kneeling so long, every move ripping at the cuts on her back.

The second she stood, her body gave out. She hit the ground—except Steven caught her.

"Bella, when you screw up, you take the punishment. Otherwise how do you set an example for a kid? And this was just kneeling."

Just kneeling? Then what were all these bruises hiding under her clothes?

She let out a harsh laugh and shoved him off. "Remember what you told me? That if I didn't want the kid, you'd send him away."

Steven frowned, sighing. "My family needs an heir. He's the best option. We're married—you should think about me too."

She'd heard that line so many times it was burned into her ears. She smirked. "Really? If I didn't know better, I'd swear he was your own kid."

Steven froze, eyes flicking away. "No way. I'll only ever love you. But Ollie's a good kid—he listens."

Love or not, Bella didn't care anymore.

Still, the weight of all those years, collapsing into nothing, pressed so hard she thought she might snap.

"Steven Rocca, how long do you plan to—" deceive me?

She never finished. Ada strolled in.

"Ollie's begging to hit the amusement park. Let's all go." Her eyes slid over Bella. "Though Mrs. Rocca looks a little too fragile, maybe she should—"

"She's not going." Steven's voice was flat.

Then, to Bella, just as cold: "Tomorrow's Ollie's birthday. We're throwing a banquet, announcing him officially. As his mother, you'd better be ready."

Bella's chest hollowed out. 'his mother.' The words tasted like poison.

She limped out of the Rocca chapel and spotted Heidi waiting down the path, nerves written all over her.

Without looking back, she headed straight for her. Steven's voice chased after her.

"I'm taking Ollie to the amusement park. I won't be home tonight. Rest. Tomorrow morning I'll send someone for you."

She didn't turn around. Just a soft, "Mm."

But as her figure disappeared, panic clawed at Steven's chest.

Still, he forced himself not to bend. He knew Bella's pride. If Ollie was going to be recognized, this fight had to happen. She loved him—he believed that. After the first pushback, she'd give in.

Meanwhile, Bella sank into the car with Heidi holding her up.

"Bella, I grabbed your suitcase. And this—that woman shoved it at me."

Bella tore open the envelope. Inside: divorce papers. Steven's signature at the bottom.

Through the window, she caught sight of the three of them—Steven, Ada, and Oliver—laughing as they piled into another car. Her eyes iced over.

"Take me to the airport. We're leaving now."

Inside, she muttered, ‘You made your choice, Steven. So here’s mine—I’m done.’