A/N: Hey there. This was something I had started writing a little more than two years ago on a whim, pursuing a different avenue from the initial one a story I was working on had taken. It was something I never really intended to let see the full light of day but after some encouragement from a few special people (you know who you are) I decided to test the waters. After a few name changes, I posted the first portion within the beginning chapters. The response was mixed, some loved it, some weren't quite sure what to make of it, but all of it was positive and encouraging. There were a few disturbing elements contained within the story that left a bitter after taste for some and if I'm being completely honest, also for myself. This is what prompted me to remove it and re-edit it. I was unsure as to whether I would re-post it, not sure I should since some of the material was still disturbing, but after receiving a few requests, it forced me to think it over and recall why I wrote this piece in the first place. When writing this route the story had taken, I had decided to throw everything I had at it, to let go and just write, letting everything flow into it. It was one of the most freeing experiences I've had as a writer and it was truly therapeutic writing it. In that essence, the names from the first draft have been left in each chapter as well as Jake's true role to Ness and Bella rather than the "milder" one from its first posting on here. This was written as one long standing piece with hardly any breaks so please bear with me as I try to choose how best to divide this story into multiple chapters. One change I did make which will be a permanent one is Bella's age. Initially, I had her at seventeen which is the age of consent in NYS and I had my reasons for choosing that age at the time I wrote it. As I re-edited each portion, it occurred to me that Bella's age should be increased in response to everything that happens and that she goes through in the story. Eighteen seemed to be the best middle ground I could reach without changing all of the other characters' story lines around too much. Let me just say, this isn't the best story in the world, it's a far cry from the world of Twilight, it lacks a traditional beginning or back story, it's simplistic writing at best and it's still riddled with mistakes, but it's something truly from the heart of this amateur and grossly inexperienced writer. If you still choose to read/re-read, I thank you and am immensely appreciative. :)

A gigantic thank you to Rhodes11 for the beautiful banner she made for this story and her continuous support. x3

Prologue

I arrived at Dad's around eight as planned. From there, he and I got into the car he had waiting for us, a stretch limousine. I rolled my eyes, making Dad chuckle. When we were inside, the driver carted us off to the city. When I asked about everyone else, Dad assured me he had a car that would arrive at the shop to take everyone. It was the best meeting point for them all. Esme would make sure everything went smoothly. I nodded and thanked him. He grabbed my hand and squeezed it, smiling. Thankfully, he didn't question me about the night before.

Instead, he asked me if I was alright and I was ready. I nodded silently, still looking out the window.

"Bella, if this is going to be too hard on you..."

I turned a smile on him. "It's fine. I'll be alright, I promise." I squeezed his hand and then turned to look out the window once again. He wrapped his arm around me and pulled me into him, kissing the side of my head. I gratefully laid my head down on his chest for a moment and then turned back to the window, though he kept his arm in place.

It was a good decision for me not to eat anything before we left. My stomach was roiling badly; my nerves were on edge. Outside, I was perfectly calm but inside, I was a mess.

We met with Dad's lawyers in a smaller conference room in the building of their offices. They ran some things by us, telling us what to say, when to let them talk, etcetera. I nodded but when I wanted to talk, I would talk. The hell with these guys. They weren't facing an undetermined length of time in a psych ward, thank you very much. Especially, when it was my very family that was trying to put me there. I'd handle things my way and screw everybody else. Dad knew it, too, but didn't admonish me or tell me to keep quiet once the negotiation started. Instead, he just squeezed my hand underneath the table.

Time passed after our preparation. We were made to wait in the room while the legal team filed out, getting ready for the real thing in an hour.

"Do you want me to get you anything?" Dad asked.

I shook my head. "No, I'm okay, Dad. Thanks, though."

He nodded. A lawyer came in then and asked to see Dad for a minute. Dad looked towards me. "I'll be right back, love." I smiled wanly at him and nodded. When he left, I pulled my iPod out of my small bag, plugged in my earbuds and picked a song off of my recent playlist.

(Lies - Evanescence)

I pulled out my pocket-sized notebook and looked over everything I had added in there once again. I just couldn't wait until this was over.

...

A quarter after ten, they moved us up to the boardroom. When I walked in ahead of Dad, I froze. The room looked exactly the same from my nightmare. Without even meaning to, I started to shake. Dad appeared from behind me. "Are you alright, love?"

I turned to look at him. "Please don't leave me unless I ask you to," I whispered.

His brows furrowed. "Of course, love. I wouldn't leave you. Come, let's sit." He kissed my temple and led me over to the left side of the table and a few chairs down. I sat in the chair on his left while the lawyers sat on his right.

Two minutes later, Mom, Grandpa, Grandma Rose and their lawyers came in and took up the right side. Grandma Rose smiled at me and I smiled back. Grandpa scowled at her and then me. I glared right back at him. Mom refused to meet my eyes. An associate from Dad's legal team's firm hurried over to Dad, telling him that the rest of his party had arrived. Dad nodded. "And everything's set up as I asked?"

"Yes, sir."

"Okay, Tom. Thank you." Tom nodded and walked towards the doorway, sitting in the chair next to it.

"Alright, let's get to it, shall we?" Grandpa asked haughtily.

I sat back with my hands clasped in my lap, more than ready for the proceedings to begin.