Summary

Chapter 6 returns to 1984. Ashlyn realized that Belle’s accusations regarding Hemi’s journalistic motivations were correct since Hemi had essentially admitted to using her for personal gain.

Ashlyn reflected on her relationship with her abusive husband, Daniel. They met in college and got married six weeks later. Ashlyn quit school to work to support Daniel’s attempts at writing a novel. He blamed Ashlyn for his lack of success and cheated on her, prompting her to leave.

Ethan Hillard arrived at her store, interrupting her thoughts. Ethan believed that Belle was his great-aunt Marian. They discussed the books, causing Ethan to suspect that other characters in the story were also his family. Ethan wanted to read the books, so Ashlyn arranged for them to read together in the store.

In Regretting Belle, as Belle dresses for a dinner party, Hemi expresses his annoyance...