Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or Edward Cullen (although I so desperately wish I did). They belong to Stephenie Meyer.


"Edward," her voice trembled as she said my name. It took just about everything I had to look away. "Please don't do this to me." She was crying – my Isabella was crying. I hated myself so much; hadn't I promised her that I would never hurt her?

"Bella, this is what's best."

"What's best is having you by my side! What's best is us being together, Edward!" Her voice went shrill as she yelled, although I could tell she was more upset than angry. She should hate me for doing this, but she still looked at me with the most loving pair of eyes I had ever come across.

She loved me.

She loved a monster.

"The last time I believed you, you were almost killed!" Instantly, I saw an image of a vicious-looking James towering over her fragile body. I didn't think I could ever cry, but I felt the unfamiliar prick of tears at my eyes when I envisioned it. Bella said my name again, sounding even more heartbroken than the first time.

"You don't want me anymore?" It wasn't a rhetorical question and it almost killed me when I answered her. I didn't like lying to her. Of course I wanted her! Isabella Swan was my life, my soul, my only reason for existence – I discovered that the first time I saw her.

"No." I managed to say in an expressionless voice.

"Fine." At that moment, when she tore her eyes from mine, I wanted to run forward and embrace her warmth in my arms. I wanted to feel her snuggled up against my chest as she tried to crush me to her. I wanted to bury my face in her hair and tell her the truth, the truth being that I loved her more than anyone could ever love anyone else. "Go then." She said bitterly.

"Goodbye." I forced myself to say.

Then I ran.

I ran away from the one person who gave me a reason to live. Away from my feelings, away from everything I ever wanted. Bella ignited feelings in me that I never thought possible, especially because my heart stopped beating almost a century ago.

However, despite that fact, I felt like that dead organ in my chest was alive – it was on fire. I felt an immense pain...my heart was breaking.

I ran faster, fighting the sudden and very strong urge to turn around and run back to her.

At this moment, I almost wish that she were a vampire...just so that she could hear my next words.

"I love you, Bella."

And I ran until I couldn't smell that awful smell anymore – the smell of her tears.

-FIN-