Thank You Laurajaexo for being so awesome and taking her time to Edit this for me.

Chapter 2- It's Just Too Little Too Late

EPOV

After that day over a month ago, I thought things were going to be different with Bella and maybe I had finally gotten through to her. But it's been a month and there was no word from Bella. I'd spoken to Alice and she told me it was time I put my foot down and realize that I can't save someone who doesn't want to be saved. She once said, "as much as I love Bella like my own sister, she's told me repeatedly that she's not the one for you and I'm beginning to think she's right. Edward, how can she heal if, no matter what happening in her life, your door is always open? Maybe if you turn her away, just once, she'll see what's been in front of herself all along, when she doesn't have that instant comfort you have to offer her."

I thought about Alice's words as I drove home. I was going to seek out my parent's advice as well, but for the last month, they've been kind of quiet whenever conversations had to do with Bella. It was like they were hiding something about her from all of us. I was overly stressed as I pulled into my driveway and thought maybe after a good night's rest would make me feel better.

When I opened my front door, I was a bit surprised to see Bella sitting on the couch, waiting for me and by her expression, she looked extremely nervous about something. What pissed me off, though, was when I looked down at her wrist she had medical gauzes wrapped around both of her wrists. Great, I thought, she's back to fucking cutting herself. I wondered if maybe Alice is right. She caught on to what I was staring and began fidgeting even more.

She motioned for me to sit next to her, but Alice's words kept swimming through my mind. She used the words she always used that made me take Alice's advice,

"Edward I need you right now and I need you to hear me out because…" But I did not let her finish before I cut her off.

"Bella I cannot deal with this right now. Could you please leave?" She looked taken back that I was kicking her out, but she still tried to get her point across

"Edward, I really need you to hear me out right now please." She was pleading with me through her eyes, but I couldn't do it anymore. Alice was right. Hell, when is Alice ever wrong? I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose. I knew not only that I was about to break my own heart, but I was going to hurt Bella in the process.

I felt her wrap her arms around me saying, "Eddie you know you can tell me whatever is troubling you right?" I wanted to hug her back, but I just tensed up because I knew if I hugged her, my resolve would crumble. I emptied my face of all emotions as she stepped back once she realized I did not return her embrace "Eddie what's troubling you?"

This was it, I told myself, no turning back now Edward.

"Bella it's you that's troubling me. I cannot deal with this anymore. I thought that by always being here for you through the years you'd change, but I've come to realize that you'll never change and you're draining the life out of me Bella."

I almost gave in when I saw my words hurt her but I kept telling myself that this is the best thing to do

"Edward maybe you should hear me out before you continue this conversation." I was fuming that she wanted to, but we were back to the reason why she was here instead of the issue I was throwing on the table, so I began yelling at her.

"Why should I listen to you Isabella? So you can tell me what some asshole did to you this time or listen to your stupid reason about why your back to cutting yourself again? For crying out loud! You're 21 years old! When the fuck are you going to grow up? I cannot do this anymore Isabella. I will not be that outlet you can run to anymore when some asshole cheats on you or abuses you, whether it is physically or mentally."

She cut me off. She was shaking and in tears now. "Edward would you just shut up and hear me out? I'm begging you."

"No. I am done listening to the same story you've been telling for the last 4 years. You need to get help so you can truly re-evaluate your lifestyle. Most importantly, you're not good for me Isabella. You've been telling me this since I first told you my feelings and you know what? You're right. All you are going to do is end up drowning me further into your madness, which I refuse to continue along this path any longer. So PLEASE just get the hell out my home and leave the keys."

She opened her mouth to say something, but whatever emotion she saw on my face she just closed her mouth and nodded instead. I kept my back to her as she walked towards the door. I did not want her to see the tears that started spill nor did I want to see her sadness or her tortured expression.

I heard when she placed the keys on the table. When she paused at the door, she whispered ever so softly that I almost did not hear her, "I sorry Eddie truly I am. Forgive me, goodbye and I love you Eddie."

As soon as she closed the door, I fell on my knees and broke down crying. This was the hardest thing I've ever had to do and part of me regretted it. I knew I couldn't be alone right now, so I picked up my phone and called Alice.

Alice showed up with Emmett not too long after I called her. We agreed it was the best thing to do. We were talking when I heard a beeping noise come from the kitchen. I was shocked to see that it was the timer from the oven and there was food in it, which meant Bella must have cooked. As I looked around the kitchen, I realized she had brought groceries. The dining room was set up for what appeared to be a private intimate dinner for two, with candles and everything. I began to feel like an ass because Bella never did things like this when she was going through issues. Even Alice and Emmett were shocked by all of this.

We all decided to call her, but all her calls were forwarded to her voicemail. I started to get a weird feeling that I should have listened to she had to say, I should have given her a chance to explain the gauzes on her wrist. Most importantly, I should not have kicked her out the way I did because knowing Bella, she'll do something rash.

The house phone had began ringing shortly.

"Hello Bella is that you?" I answered, without looking at the caller ID.

"No Edward its Mom. I was actually calling to see if Bella was still by you so I would know when to come pick her up."

"She left already Mom. I sorry, but I couldn't do it anymore so I kicked her out and told her some things…"

"YOU WHAT EDWARD?!?"

"Mom I understand you're upset, but this was the only way to get through to her so she can get the help she needs. Plus she's cutting herself again."

"Edward, Bella is not cutting herself again. I picked her up from a tattoo parlor before I took her grocery shopping so she could cook for you. She had important news that she'd wanted to share with you before she shared with the rest of us. And as far as her getting help goes Edward, you might have just ruined the progress she had been making."

She didn't cut herself. It was a tattoo. Fuck.

"Mom, what are you talking the progress she already made? No one has heard from Bella in months and all of a sudden, she's in my apartment with gauze on her wrist. What was I suppose to think?"

"You were supposed to hear her out! Why did you choose now to listen to others' advice? Edward, the reason why no one has heard from Bella in the last month was because she didn't want anyone to know what she was up to, especially you."

"What are you saving mom?"

"You remember the last time Bella came to you a month ago?"

"Yes."

"Well whatever happened between you two that night, the next morning Bella came home with a duffle bag telling us she was ready to get help, but she preferred if it stay between just your father and I. She began therapy and even registered to start classes over the summer. She was finally beginning to show some life. Something also happened a week ago that made her ecstatic, but she refused to tell us until you knew first, which was what she was planning on doing tonight."

The only thing that went through my mind as my mother was saying all of this was, fuck I'm an idiot and probably did just ruined Bella's recovery.

"Edward? Edward are you still there?"

"Yes mom, just thinking about how I messed up big time."

"Edward don't worry. I'm sure Bella won't do anything rash; she'll just probably need some time. But Edward I really wished you had heard her out first."

After hanging up with my mother, I turned to see Alice and Emmett behind me. Alice spoke up asking what was wrong. I retold everything mom just told me and when Alice tried to comfort, but I was too mad at myself that I took it out on them both.

"LISTENING TO YOU BOTH MADE ME I FUCK UP EVERYTHING!" I yelled. After that, I kicked them out.

BPOV

Karma truly is a bitch and I'd just learned that first handed. I ran from Edward's house and just kept running without knowing where I was going to go. All I kept thinking was that if Edward felt this way about me, I can imagine how the rest of the Cullens felt. I had no one to blame but myself.

I looked at my wrist, cursing myself because it wasn't until he saw them that he started going off on me. I should've removed them to show him I wasn't cutting myself but that I just gotten two tattoos this morning. But when he was telling me these things, I drew a blank.

I always knew one day that this would happen; after all, I did put him through a lot of shit. I was selfish to not have seen things clearly earlier, but I needed Edward then and knew he would always be there. But I never thought about how my actions were affecting him. Right now, I wanted to go down the path of self-loathing, but I realized that I never got a chance to tell him my good news. I was tempted to turn around and go back to his apartment to lay everything out it the open. But I refused to cause him anymore pain. So I headed to the bus station, vowing this would be the last time I cause any of the Cullens pain. I left the state of Washington for good this time, promising maybe one day I'll send them a letter explaining everything.

EPOV

A week passed. No word from Bella. She never even showed up back home to get her things

A month passed and still nothing.

I blamed myself. Alice and Emmett blamed themselves as well.

Esme went through the motions of losing another child again and even though she'll never admit it, I know she blames me too.

We hired a private detective to try to find her, but he came up empty-handed. The detectives could not find anyone named Isabella Swan or Isabella Cullen. It was as if she had disappeared off the face of the earth.

A year passed and still no emails or phone calls. Nothing from Bella.

I never gave up hope on trying to find her and I would always regret what happen that day. I hoped that one day I would be able to make it up to her; but I had to move on with my life and career. So when it came time for my residency, I moved to Chicago. I even kept my cell number the same, hoping that one day she would call me.