A MIND-BENDING Emmerdale episode saw Belle Dingle finally open up about her abuse.
The character – played by Eden Taylor-Draper – married Tom King (James Chase) in scenes aired earlier this year.
Unfortunately, Tom went on to physically and mentally abuse his new wife across several months.
Although Belle escaped the troubled relationship, her torment was far from over.
Tonight’s episode ended with Belle opening up to Charity (Emma Atkins) about what she’d faced at Tom’s hands.
She revealed: “There’s no way out. Everywhere I turn, it’s a dead end.
“If I trick him, he’s one step ahead. If I call him out, I look insane. If I do nothing… I can’t keep living in this pinball machine.”
In earlier scenes, viewers saw Belle haunted by three nightmare possible futures.
The first scenario saw her visit Tom, who had just slept with Amelia Spencer (Daisy Campbell).
Belle claimed she wanted Tom back, revealing how much she loved him and the estranged couple prepared to move back in together.
However, soon after, Belle revealed it had all been a ruse, saying: “Do you really think I would ever get back with you? After everything you’ve put me through. I had to show Amelia exactly the kind of man you are.”
Furious, Tom attacked Belle, pinned her down and said she was his.
The scene jumped to Christmas, with Belle bruised, silent and pregnant.
Tom went to walk their dog “Pippa”, while the real Belle was shown watching from outside as the imagined scenario ended.
Next, Belle imagined a sequence of events where she told Kerry (Laura Norton) about Tom’s behaviour.
The two tracked down Amelia, asking if Tom had ever hurt her.
The younger woman revealed her boyfriend’s claims that Belle had abused him.
Belle argued Tom did horrible things to her, overheard by her half-brother Cain (Jeff Hordley).
Cain confronted and violently beat Tom, having to be stopped by Jimmy (Nick Miles).
No one believed Belle’s version of events and she was sent to be treated.
In the last scenario, Tom and Amelia are imagined as an engaged couple.
Spotting a scald mark on Amelia’s hand, Belle offered her support but Amelia refused.
Over the years the likes of EastEnders, Emmerdale and Coronation Street have all tried to try outdo each other with their outlandish plots in a bid to keep us tuning in each week. But here are some of the darkest that had fans in shock…
Afterwards, Tom asked his fiancee who she’d been talking to.
The imagined sequence then showed Amelia’s corpse being removed in a body bag, having supposedly died in an accident.
Back in reality, what will happen next with Belle?
Emmerdale airs on ITV and is available to watch on ITVX.
