Prologue

"…Izabella Yazmin Cullen."

The woman was startled. She would have sat motionless, had it not been for the comforting gentle touch of the man who sat beside her. The years had only added distinguished gray's in his unruly copper hair, fine laugh lines at the corner of his eyes. Otherwise, he was still the same man she'd clung to when she'd crawled out of her hell.

"Darling…"

She gave him a smile before standing up and heading towards the stage.

Once, the very stage had daunted her, the language had scared her, the people had seemed to crowd her, but now she was well-versed in the art of championing her cause.

Her Edward had taught her that.

She reached the dais, the lights unnaturally bright on her face.

Today the memories were sharper.

Today, she set aside the speech she'd prepared.

"Hello, everyone." Her accent was slightly evident.

The chime of bells-Edward always said with that half-smile on his face.

Once, there had only been silence.

"There was once a girl named Izabella…"


I don't have a beta, so I apologize for all the mistakes. Leave me some love, people…