The relationship between the two has been turbulent and the last time they had some screen time in “Once Upon a Time,” Rumple stopped Belle from leaving Storybrooke by threatening their unborn child’s fate.
As Rumple appeared to be spiraling out of control, Belle wanted to run as far from Rumple as she can. With their current situation, there seems to be no hope for a reconciliation on the odd couple.
As if Rumple is not dark enough, the character unveiled yet again another dark side of his past in the same episode of “Once Upon a Time” Season 6.
Through the use of a flashback, Rumple was seen capturing Jack, played by Nick Hunnings, and the son of Jill, played by Tammy Ills, and used the boy as bait to lure a powerful being to him.
Gold also used the same strategy in the present day Storybrooke using his and Belle’s son as a lure. By the time Belle discovered Gold’s plans for their son, she persuaded Hook and Emma to help her steal squid ink that can immobilize him. As a result, Belle was left to make a sacrifice that had a telling effect on the lives of everyone in Storybrooke.