Prologue
Goodbye
"Bella, we're leaving."
"Right now? Edward, why can't we wait till the end of the year?"
Edward sighed heavily. "Bella, you're staying…"
I stared at Edward, not understanding. He leaves...I stay.
"But… Why?" my voice quavered.
"There are reasons," he said quietly. For a second, I saw pain flash in his eyes but he pulled himself together again and looked coldly at me. I don't believe it... Something is wrong. He can't just leave me like that! He does love me! He does...doesn't he? Look at him and look at yourself. I felt empty. The surrounding sounds rang loudly in my head. I don't believe it... I don't believe it... I don't believe...
"I don't believe you," I whispered and tried to embrace Edward. He moved from me and stepped back.
"Goodbye, Bella. It will be better this way," he whispered. Then he turned around and quickly walked away.
Better? For who? I rushed after him. "Edward, wait! Don't do it!"
Of course he was gone but I kept running. Where? Why? This must be an awful dream! My breath hitched and there was a buzzing in my ears.
My thoughts were spinning like a merry-go-round. It can't be true. This is a nightmare! He can't just leave me like that. He can't. I'll wake up now and everything will be in place again.
But I won't wake up. His words were echoing in my head. Goodbye. Goodbye. Goodbye. Why is he doing this to me?
Exhausted, I leaned against a tree. My insides were torn apart. The tears were burning my eyes, burning to my core. He's gone... I sat on the ground and tried to take a breath; with sharp pain the air broke into my lungs. Breathing out, I gripped my head. It just can't be true. It can't. it can't... The tight knot in my chest wouldn't let me breathe. The tears clouded my sight.
The words "he's gone" were pulsing in my head. He is gone.
Breathing in a jagged breath, I fell into darkness.