Hello Everyone. Thank you so much for your feedback.
Below I wanted to clarify the timeline of events:
· December 2013 (Mid): Edward flew to see Tanya in Chicago
· December 2013 (Christmas): Bella read letter to Edward
· January 2014: Edward and Bella Left on three month trip
· March 2014: Edward and Bella Return from trip.
· May 2014: Current month
I hope that provided some clarification prior to reading the below chapter.
I don't own any of the characters or businesses mentioned in this chapter
Happy Reading
Edward POV
I missed Bella. After my conversation with her two days ago at my parents I left and headed here to Chicago.
I hate the fact that I am on the other side of the country away of from her.
I know that she doesn't want to be around me, let alone see me, but she is my wife and I love her.
I have no idea how I am going to save our marriage but I need to take care of business here first.
I can't have this hanging over our heads if I am going to try and win her back.
But what if the baby is mine?
Fuck. I don't know what I'll do.
I mean, of course I will take care of my kid but I will lose Bella for sure.
Well I'll have to cross that bridge when and if I get there.
Before I left L.A I contacted J. Jenks, my family's trusty lawyer and accountant. I explained the situation and he advised me to hire a Private Investigator to make sure that I'm not being played.
I have to meet him at around 6:00pm down stairs in the hotel restaurant. I have about an hour to kill so I decided to check in with Jasper.
Out of everyone the family he was the most neutral. Not that I blamed anyone for treating me like the asshole I am, but I just needed someone to talk to.
I picked up the phone and dialed his number
Ring Ring
"Hello"
"Hey it's Edward"
"I know. I have caller ID what's up"
"Nothing I was just calling"
He huffed loudly. "What on your mind little brother"
"So much I don't even know where to start"
"How about you start with an explanation? Why in the hell would you cheat on Bella?"
Wow he was straight to the point
"Truthfully I don't even know. It just happened. I know everyone thinks that Bella and I were the perfect couple and had the perfect marriage but honestly we were headed for divorce. I guess I just gave up too soon"
"Ed, I don't know what to tell you. I mean, I'm not going to judge you because I wasn't there. I don't know what went on behind closed doors. But she is the perfect woman for you. You need to fix this"
"I know that's what I'm trying to do. I just need to take care of everything here first before I even try to work it out with Bella. I can't have this unknown hanging over us"
"I understand that. But know that I don't think Bella is going to wait for forever. I mean, I don't think that your marriage is at a complete lost but its close."
"I know. Believe me I know. Well I better go I have to meet with the PI in a little bit"
"Alright, well call me and let me know how everything goes."
"I will"
"And hey even though you fucked up big, I still love you. I'm still here if you need me"
"Thanks"
After that we said our goodbyes and hung up.
I had about 20 more minutes before I had to head down stairs but I needed to make one more call.
Ring Ring
Ring Ring
Ring Ring
Ring Ring
"Hi, you have just reach Isabella Cullen. Please leave your name and number and I will call you back as soon as I am able. Thank you", said her voice-mail
"Um…Hi Bella. It's me, Edward. I'm just calling because…cause I wanted to let you know that I made it to Chicago okay. I'm staying at The W hotel, Suite 1202."
She doesn't care about this shit
"Okay look. I'm calling because I just wanted to hear your voice. I know that you don't want to see me or talk to me right now but you have to know I love you. I will come back to you. I promise I will fix this. "
With that I hung up and made my way down stairs.
Bella POV
"Um…Hi Bella. It's me, Edward. I'm just calling because…cause I wanted to let you know that I made it to Chicago okay. I'm staying at The W hotel, Suite 1202. "
"Okay look. I'm calling because I just wanted to hear your voice. I know that you don't want to see me or talk to me right now but you have to know I love you. I will come back to you. I promise I will fix this. "
Click
"End of messages. To delete press 7. To save press 9
I quickly hung up. Not making a choice either way.
Here I sit in our living room trying to figure out what my next move should be.
Do I want to leave him?
I honestly don't know. I mean I'm not dumb and I'm not desperate. But I love him.
The question is can I forgive him?
Better yet would he have forgiven me?
I looked up at the clock and saw that it was 4:00pm and I needed to eat.
I haven't been feeling well at all for the last couple days. Every time I tried to eat something I would throw it back up. Plus I keep having these dizzy spells.
I wonder if it's because of my fall
If this doesn't pass soon I'll have to go to the doctors.
Before I made it to the kitchen my phone rang
I looked at the screen
Ugh…Jacob
He has been calling me non-stop for the last couple of days. I just want him to go away. I never answer and he just won't take the hint. Maybe I need to be more direct.
I decided to go ahead and answer
"Hello"
"Bella finally! I have been trying to get in contact with you for days now."
"I know. I didn't feel like answering the phone. What do you need Jacob"
"What do you mean what do I need? Bella you and I had something special and then you abruptly dump me and leave for months. Then you come back and pretend like I don't exist. Why are you doing this to me?"
"Jacob don't over exaggerate. We did not have something special. It was a onetime thing that should have never happened. Please just stop calling me. I'm married"
"Nothing Special! And now all of a sudden you're married? So what you guys are trying to work things out? That's Bullshit Bella and you know it!"
"Jacob please just stop calling me."
"Bella I am not going to give up on us. Meet me for dinner tomorrow night."
"Jacob No. I am not going to dinner with you"
"Bella I just want to see you to talk. If when you see me you tell me to leave you alone I will"
"Jacob No. I'm sorry."
"So now you can't even have dinner with me? Is this because of him? Does he know about me?"
"No he doesn't know about you"
"Well how about this. Either you meet me for dinner tomorrow at 'Julie Italiano' or I reach out to Mr. Cullen and introduce myself"
"Jacob you wouldn't"
"Oh I would. I only care about being with you. And if you're saying I can't then I have nothing to lose. And he doesn't deserve you anyway"
"Wow thanks for being the asshole I never thought you could be. Fuck you Jacob. I'm not going to dinner with you. So do whatever the fuck you want to do."
And with that I hung up the phone.
What the hell am I going to do?
I should have never let Jacob get that close to me.
7 months ago
I just got out of a meeting with Aro and Caius and found out that I will have to work late…again. This is why Edward and I have so many issues. But I don't see why I need to be the one to cut back. Just because I'm the woman in the relationship he expected me to cut my hours. Not going to happen.
I wonder if Edward will be home tonight
Well if he is it's probably best that I do work late.
Being at home with him is so awkward. We never talk, eat together, have sex. Nothing.
We always wait for the other to fall asleep before we get in the bed.
I wish he would hurry up and file for divorce already
I know that he doesn't love me anymore but I love him and I can't be the one to file first. I just want him to be happy.
I continued walking to my office and when I go there none other than Jacob Black was already there.
Jacob and I have become good friend over the last couple months. He is junior partner and quickly working his way up. He is always there to help and has really saved my ass a time or two.
"Hey Jacob"
"Hey Bella. I hear we have a late night tonight"
"We always have a late night. I don't even know what it feels like to leave at 5pm anymore"
"Yeah and that is why I am still single"
"Pssh…don't let my husband hear you say that. He will use it as ammo against me"
"Uh oh…trouble in paradise?"
"No just ignore me. I'm a little stressed"
"Okay well if you want to talk let me know. I'm here."
With that he walked over to me and gave me tight hug. It made me a little uncomfortable but I just ignored it.
"Thanks. Let's have the team meet in the board room at 6:00pm"
"Alright see you then", Jacob said as he walked out of the office.
I worked for a few more and when I looked up it was 5:55pm.
I guess I should call Edward and let him know I won't be home for dinner
Ring
Ring
"Hello"
"Hey it's me. I was just calling t…"
"Let me guess. You calling to let me know that you have to work late again on a project for a really big client. And you tried to get away but you just have to finish it up tonight. You're so sorry and you will make it up to me. Does that about cover everything?"
"Edward you don't have to be an ass. You know how hard I worked to become partner. I don't want them to think they gave me this promotion in vain."
"Okay"
"Okay? That's it?"
"Well Bella I don't know what else to say. I feel like we have this conversation, over and over and over again. I get it. You would rather be there with your work buddy's then home. I get it. So O-K-A-Y"
"Edward it is not like that. And you are always gone working on this project and that project. You are never home."
"Bella. I also keep a calendar on the fridge and space my trips so that I can be there with you for a few weeks at a time before I leave again. And even then it doesn't matter because you are always working late. Why should I come home and sit there alone."
"Come home? Where are you now?"
"I'm in Chicago where I have been for a MONTH! But of course your never home to notice if I am gone or not. Who doesn't notice that they haven't seen their husband in a Month?"
"Edward okay look I'm sorry. Why don't you just come home and we will talk about it."
"Yeah..you're always sorry. I wish you would just put me out of my misery"
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing. It means nothing. Look I need to get some sleep. I'll just talk to you later"
"Fine Bye"
After I hung up the phone. I just laid my head on the desk and cried.
When did our relationship come to this?
Next things I know there is a knock on my door.
I quickly grab some tissues and wipe my eyes
"Come in"
Jacob walks through the door.
"Hey Bella its 6:15pm you coming?"
"Yeah be there in a second"
"Bella what's wrong? Why are you crying?"
"It's nothing. I'm right behind you"
"What do you mean it's nothing. What going on? Talk to me"
"Just some personal stuff at home. I don't really want to talk about it. Let head on to the boardroom"
With that I grab my items, walked down to the boardroom and got to work.
A few hours a passed and my team made some great progress. It was 9pm and time to let everyone go home. I could finish the rest of this up.
"Alright everyone I think that it's time to go on home. Thank you all so much for you hard work."
There was a round of your welcomes and goodnights as everyone made their way out of the room.
I sat down and decided to finish my write up of our progress.
"Hey Bella aren't you going to take off", said Jacob.
"No. I am almost done. I would rather finish it now and have a clean slate for tomorrow"
"Bella it's after 9:00pm. Won't a certain Mr. Cullen be worried?"
"Jacob Mr. Cullen could care less where I am at right now"
He walked over to where I was sitting and sat down next to me and grab my hand.
"Bella talk to me. Is everything okay at home?"
I looked at him in his eyes and I don't know what came over me but I just burst into tears.
"I think my marriage is over."
He wrapped me a tight hug and just held me.
"Bella why do say that. I am sure whatever you guys are going through you will be able to work it out."
"No I don't think so."
"Bella what's going on at home?"
"Jacob we don't talk any more. We do even look at each. And let not forget we haven't had sex in months. He doesn't support me working as much as I do and I don't want to give up my career"
"Oh wow. I'm sorry to hear that. It sounds like he needs to be more supportive of you."
"No you know what I'm Sorry. I shouldn't be unloading all of my problems on you."
"Bella I'm your friend. I want you to talk to me"
After that we sat down and I wiped my eyes.
"Bella you are a smart, powerful, intelligent beautiful woman who deserves someone that will support their career aspirations."
"Thanks Jacob"
"You know I have something that may help. I'll be right back"
He ran out of the boardroom and quickly came back with a bottle vodka and two cups.
"Jacob I am not drinking that"
"Oh come on just have one or two to take the edge off. It will make you feel better"
I thought about it.
"Alright fine but just one"
So he poured me a glass and we sat and talked.
Two hours and five glasses later I was really filling it.
"So Bella. You guys really haven't had sex in months?"
"Ugh. Don't remind me"
"Damn I don't think I could do it"
"Do what"
"I mean your beautiful. I don't think I could keep my hands off of you if you were mine. Mad or not I would have you ever day"
"Pssh…okay. I think we have had enough"
When I stood up I wobbled a little bit and grab the table.
Jacob stood up a grab hold on my hips from behind to steady me
"Whoa Bella you okay there?"
I turned around in his arms
"Yea thanks. I guess I stood up too fast"
We both got quiet and just stared at each other
Next thing I know his lips are on mine. At first I am shocked and then he tightens his hold on me and I begin to kiss him back.
It feels so good to be in a man arms.
Our little kiss turned in to a full on make-out session very quickly.
I didn't even realize that his hands had moved from around my waist to under my skirt and on my ass.
He picked me up, placed me on the table and moved in closer between my legs.
Next thing I know my blouse is on the grown and my skirt if hiked up around my waist.
He begins trailing kissing down my neck to breast. And he tugs each nipple through my bra.
My body is on fire. I have missed this feeling so much.
While his lips wors over my hard nipples, I feel a slight tug below. My panties are ripped and his fingers are sliding over my lower lips.
Then I feel his finger enter me and there is no turning back.
They slide in and out. In and out.
I was shaking and holding on to him for dear life. I don't know how much longer I can last.
"Come on Bella give it to me"
Then he moves his thumb over my clit. I feel myself about to explode
And I scream, "Oh god….EDWARD", as came.
As soon as I came my reality quickly came crashing down.
Oh no what have I done?
I looked up in horror at Jacob's face and I could see the pain as he looks down on me
"I am not Edward", he says as slides his fingers out of me.
He still has his other arm wrapped around me.
"Bella I'm sorry, but I can deny my feelings for you any longer. The way you held on to me as I took care of your needs…The way you just came around my fingers. That is what I have been dreaming of. I forgive you for saying Edward's name. Next time I'm sure you'll be screaming Jacob."
I pushed him off of me forcibly.
"There will not be a next time."
"Wait what do you mean?"
"Jacob this was a mistake. I am a married woman. I can't believe what I have done"
"Yeah but you said yourself that your marriage was over"
"Well I didn't mean that. I love my husband and I can't believe that I did this to him."
I ran around the office putting my clothes back on and grabbing my work.
"Bella please give me a chance to…"
"No Jacob. Look I am so sorry for leading you on but I don't look at you in that way. I love my husband and I need to make it right with him"
"Bella I'll give you some time but please know that I am here waiting for you"
"Jacob I have to go"
I quickly ran out of the boardroom and headed home
Edward will never forgive me
Present Day
After that night with Jacob I avoided him like the plague. I stopped working late nights and kept to myself at work. Like he said he would he left me alone until right before Christmas. He wanted to give me Christmas a gift and I wouldn't accept it.
To say he was pissed was an understatement.
He felt that he had given me enough time to think. I told him that I did think and I decided that I was going to work it out with my husband. He stormed out of my office and I got to work trying the fix things with Edward. I decided to write him a letter.
So what do you think about Bella and Jacob? And how do you feel about Edward now? Let me know
Please review!
