He is the master manipulator and while long ago I would have thought it extremely unlikely that he’d manipulate Belle is such a manner, he clearly has no qualms about doing it now.
I hate to think it but I do think it was manipulation. Rumple wanted to be the one to return Belle’s heart. If he truly wanted her to be free of him and move on with Will, wouldn’t it have been sweeter for Will to return her heart?
edit: Sorry. Quote from RumplesGirl
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