Rumple wasn’t being a coward. His presence wasn’t helping Belle, she was terrified of him. He was desperate to get her to remember and he was only making the situation worse. Emotions were running high for him and her. The best thing for both of them was for him to leave her alone and that wouldn’t have been an easy decision to make. She is the woman he loves, she’s telling him to go away, he’s respecting her wishes. That doesn’t mean he’s given up on her, he’s just allowing time for everything to calm down before he tries again.
Finding Bae has always been his lifelong goal. Before Belle lost her memory she was encouraging him to go. If he can’t help Belle at this moment in time, he might as well find his son and give time for the dust to settle. Rumple fully intends to return to Belle hence his threat to the Charmings. Even Belle, in her right mind, would’ve agreed that he should find his son.
All magic comes with a price!
Keeper of Felix