The following article references miscarriage, as well as emotional and physical abuse.
Emmerdale spoilers follow.
Emmerdale has aired an ominous cliffhanger for Belle and Tom King.
The double bill on Thursday (July 25) saw Belle successfully escaping her abusive husband, but a final scene showed Tom wasn’t willing to let her go.
Earlier this week, Charity and Cain Dingle arrived at the remote Welsh holiday cabin where the Kings were staying to find the place in tatters with blood streaked on the wall.
Viewers would then see flashbacks as Belle desperately tried to escape Tom once he turned violent again over her reluctance to move to Wales.
In the latest episode, Cain and Charity confronted Tom when they found him looking dazed in the cabin. As Cain violently shoved Tom against the wall, the abuser claimed that Belle had left him.
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Tom made it out like Belle had a manic episode and explained away his controlling behaviour — like his security cameras and spending logs — as things she wanted after the recent burglary at Dale Head.
When Cain demanded Tom be honest with them about what happened at the cottage, Tom said that they’d rowed because Bell lied to him about having a miscarriage.
“She aborted our baby,” he told them.
Tom alleged Belle had been experiencing delusions because she was off her medication, leading to an altercation. Tom told another lie about his blood being on the wall.
“I’m worried she ain’t got anything on her. No phone, no money,” Tom reported.
Charity suggested they should call the police, yet Tom tried to sway her against getting the authorities involved because Belle could get sectioned.
The soap then cut back to Wishing Well Cottage where Lydia was surprised by Belle in the middle of the night. Belle told Lydia that she just needed to come home.
Charity soon received a call from Lydia letting her know Belle had turned up at Wishing Well. Charity and Cain then raced back to the village.
At Wishing Well, Belle resisted opening up to Lydia and insisted that her injured hand was caused by her falling on some glass. She broke down in tears as Lydia promised they’d get her settled tomorrow.
The next morning, Belle wasn’t happy to find out that Cain and Charity had gone after her. Once they arrived at Wishing Well, she accused them of going behind her back.
Belle crumbled as Charity said they now knew she had a termination. Charity even defended Tom by promising he was only angry with himself for letting Belle down.
Horrified that her family were now taking Tom’s side, Belle left Wishing Well “to get some air”. At Dale Head, Tom was waiting and taunted her for turning the Dingles against her.
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“They think you’re mental. They think I deserve a medal for putting up with you,” Tom declared.
Tom accused Belle of ignoring his mental health issues and blamed her for ruining their marriage.
He told her: “You used to be such a kind, funny, amazing girl and now, even your own family thinks you’ve lost the plot.”
Tom then promised they could make a new start if he took the job in Wales, adding that he could make Belle “so happy”.
Tom tried to force himself on Belle, but she pushed him away and ordered him to stop.
“I don’t want to be married to you,” Belle told him. “I’m going home.”
Tom tried to physically prevent Belle from leaving, warning: “I will kill you before I let you leave this house.”
Belle broke free after threatening Tom that Cain would take revenge. This was enough to get Tom to unlatch the door so she could flee.
“It won’t be long before you come crawling back,” he insisted.
Belle was next seen arriving at Wishing Well Cottage where she announced to her family that her marriage was over. As she sat alone with Lisa’s urn, Tom was shown watching ominously from a distance.
Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV1, and streams on ITVX.
Read more Emmerdale spoilers on our dedicated homepage
Organisations including Sands and Tommy’s are able to offer help and support to anyone affected by baby loss.
If you’ve been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, organisations including Refuge (www.refuge.org.uk), New Beginnings Peer Support (www.newbeginningspeersupport.com) and Women’s Aid (www.womensaid.org.uk) can provide further support and information. The 24-hour, freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline is 0808 2000 247. The US National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), or text LOVEIS to 22522.