Chapter 716: No, You're Lying (part two)

"I'll tell you. For a while when she was younger, she had gained a few extra pounds. We told her that she looked adorable, but she wanted to lose the weight right away when she was fat-shamed by her classmates at school. So she started eating vegetarian meals. Later, that became her inspiration for opening a vegetarian restaurant."

.90Duke reminisced, as if it had happened yesterday. It was obvious he was fond of the lovely memory he shared with his little sister. It made Belinda realize that no matter how reluctant he was to admit the love he had for his sister, he deeply cared for her in his heart. He wouldn't have looked this happy otherwise.

"She's so slender now, I wouldn't have thought she was a chubby kid." Belinda couldn't imagine Leena being overweight. She was so petite.

"It took her about a year of exercises and vegetarian meals to get back in shape." Duke poured out a glass of water and put it in front of Belinda. In those times, he used to accompany her to the gym for all kinds of exercises. Edward had done it too.

"She's quite persistent. Once she sets her mind on doing something, she doesn't stop until she succeeds. I really admire that." Belinda was slowly coming to understand why Duke liked spoiling her. Leena was a unique girl. She was coddled by a lot of people, but she never got cocky. That was remarkable.

"She's not only persistent; she's also very stubborn." Duke involuntarily smiled, thinking about how heartbroken they were when they saw her put in the efforts at exercise. They tried to persuade her to quit, or to at least tone it down a bit. But she hadn't listened to a word they said. She stuck it out and achieved her goal in the end.

"I know that very well." The corner of Belinda's mouth lifted. She loved the hot and sour potatoes at this place. Every time she was here, she enjoyed having the dish.

Duke didn't say anything further as he silently watched her eat. He made mental notes of her preferences secretly. He piled up her plate with more food, as he had done during lunch, earlier in the afternoon. Duke didn't eat much himself, Belinda noticed.

Time passed by in silence. Finally, they finished dinner and walked out of the restaurant. It was nighttime and the city had lit up. The scenic beauty was a feast for everyone's eyes.

"Let's go to the seaside and get some fresh air, what do you say?" Belinda's eyes were hopeful as she raised her head to look at the tall and handsome man beside her.

"Right now? It might be a little cold there at this time." Duke scrutinized her outfit. Belinda's outfit was suitable for the downtown city where it was warm, but if they went to the seaside, she'd need warmer clothes. He worried she'd catch a cold otherwise.

"That's okay. Don't worry. We won't be there for long." Their marriage wasn't based on love. Sometimes that made Belinda feel insecure, for it meant that it hung by a thread. She couldn't deny that she was developing feelings for Duke. This distant but gentle and handsome man constantly occupied her mind. She only hoped that he was slowly falling for her too. Only then she'd feel at ease.

"Fine. Let's go." Duke couldn't bear to reject her eager face. He agreed to the simple request without another thought.

Belinda bubbled with excitement when she heard him agree to go. She rarely got an opportunity to spend time with Duke, just by themselves. Her eyes beamed with happiness.

The sea breeze was coolly blowing as the tides rolled by. In the misty night, the sky and the sea had become one. It became impossible to tell them apart. Belinda couldn't resist the temptation to take off her shoes. She began sprinting freely on the beach. She was like a seagull flying in the sky, without a care in the world.

The corner of Duke's mouth twitched into a smile. When she wasn't busy being the powerful CEO, Belinda was just like any other girl-next-door. He hadn't seen this side to her before. As he watched her, something in his cold heart melted.

"Duke, come get me!" The sea breeze moved against her long hair. Belinda's voice sounded fainter by the minute, but Duke heard her words. He was always calm and restrained. He didn't play these childish games. So even after he had heard her, Duke didn't move. He stood there, his eyes locked on his wife's silhouette.

It was the season of late autumn and not many people were on the beach in the evening. There were only a few couples, all of them either snuggled together or were having fun. Duke and Belinda stood out as the most distant pair in the vicinity.

Duke didn't want to join her and Belinda could only do so much by herself. She walked back in disappointment. She decided not to sit next to Duke. Instead, she sat down at a distance and played with the sand.

Duke was staring at the invisible line between the sky and the sea, his eyes intense and soulful. Except for Duke himself, nobody could tell what he was thinking.

Belinda was engrossed in building her various sand castles. She didn't bother him. She could tell she didn't really hold a place in his heart. He only paid attention to her from time to time, when it was convenient or when she happened to be close-by. She was aware of how little she mattered in Duke's life.

A sudden, immense wave came up and wiped out the castles she had been building. Belinda stood and found another dry place to sit, still keeping a distance from Duke. Suddenly, she regretted her decision to come here. She felt a little mistreated and her eyes reddened slightly.

Belinda had never been a sensitive woman. But since marrying Duke, she felt like her heart was made out of glass. She felt vulnerable and got emotional about little things. Not only that, she got suspicious when it came to him. She knew she should put more trust in Duke, but she didn't know how to get a grip on herself.

Rubbing her cold arms, she bit her lip and gazed at the doting couples with envy. She couldn't help but feel sorry for herself. What was she doing? Her eyes darted away and she stared blankly at her toes.

"What's wrong? You're not playing anymore. Are you tired?" A magnetic voice next to her ear asked, as a coat faintly smelling of peppermint was laid on her shoulders. Duke sat down beside her. He casually put his long arm around her and held her close.

"Do you want everyone to think I'm mad?" Belinda struggled, trying to get out of his arms. She didn't want to be pitied.

"If you were a madwoman, you'd be a beautiful one." Duke smiled helplessly. He hadn't chased her around on the beach, but he had been watching her every action. He had only been distracted for a short moment while watching the sky.

"Duke, was marrying me the worst decision you have made in your life?" Belinda sniffled as the sea breeze blew against her long hair, causing it to fall onto her eyes.

Where did you get that idea from? Why would you ask me that all of a sudden?" Duke frowned. He had to admit that women were indeed fickle. Belinda was so happy moments ago, but now, all of a sudden, she looked dejected. He didn't understand why.

"Don't worry about where I got the idea from. Just answer me, was it the worst decision of your life or not?" Belinda gently shut her eyes for a moment. She hated being like this. She hated being insecure and petty. She felt awful about herself.

My answer is an emphatic 'no'. What else do you want me to say?" His hand around her waist tightened. No matter what she thought or said, he never regretted marrying her.

"You're lying. You regret marrying me. Ever since you met Rachel again, you've been having second thoughts about our marriage. Am I wrong? You wouldn't be this miserable otherwise. You're only lying to comfort me, or maybe you're just lying to yourself." Belinda still remembered the way he had unconsciously released her hand in front of Rachel. If Duke really didn't care about that woman, why didn't he want Rachel to see them holding hands? She didn't mention to him that she had noticed, but it bothered her greatly.

"Do you really have to bring up Rachel when we are talking about us? I thought we'd already reached an agreement on this. Things between us have nothing to do with Rachel. I thought you were a reasonable woman, Belinda. It looks like I was awfully wrong. You disappoint me."

Duke quickly let go of her. He stood up, frustrated. These days, everything he did for her was a waste. She didn't realize how he was indulging her at all times. After everything, she still couldn't completely trust him.