A/N: Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight. All characters belong to Stephanie Meyer

And the plot is over all Carla Estrada's. I tweak it a lot for the flow though.


Marriage of Hate

Chapter 9

Edward Cullen POV

It had been a week since the incident with Bella. Today I would go to her house to visit her and see how she is doing. I was positive her father General Charles was doing a lot better as well. I had it in mind for the past couple of days to check up on her but did not want to force myself on Isabella. Today her mother sent a message with a servant requesting my presence in her home because she would like to speak to me. I tried going over in my head the many possibilities for her wanting to speak to me but could not really decide on what could motivate her to call on me herself.

The past week I have tried to keep Isabella in the far distance of my head but could not accomplish it. She was in my every thought, every second, minute and instance and I just couldn't seem to go through a simple note without thinking what her input would be in any matter I was dealing with. I realized more and more that she could very easily accept to court me but I knew that it wouldn't be so easy for me to just stay in that status with her. Very soon I would desire more with her and I most definitely would propose marriage in no time.

I was also in a dilemma because I had received a telegram from Benjamin that my presence in the estate was becoming more and more necessary. I did not want to leave but also knew that I had to keep my present priorities straight and had to take care of business. I couldn't just leave my responsibilities aside because I wanted a wife. Isabella was important to me because she is exactly who I pictured walking side by side with me at the estate, taking care of the property along with me as lady of the house. I would feel a swell of pride imagining it and coveted her more every day.


Half past noon I was on my way to the Swan mansion and found myself in the study waiting for Mrs. Swan to come down. Soon enough she came in and closed the door behind her.

"Mr. Cullen" she gave me her hand and I kissed it.

"Please take a seat. I have something I would like to speak to you about" I sat down. I was very interested in knowing what she would like to talk about with me.

"I think it is a good thing you had already talked to my husband about your intentions with Isabella or I'd really be uncomfortable with what took place a few days ago in your home Mr. Cullen" I was confused.

"I'm afraid I don't know what you are getting at Mrs. Cullen and don't wish to beat around the bush. What is this about?" I decided to be frank.

"Well you see Mr. Cullen, even when you are a medic, you are still very young and the matter is very delicate to know that you attended to Isabella by yourself. The few times Isabella had been ill she has always been taken to a very well known doctor, Dr. Valdez, he's older in age and any time he saw her it was always with either myself or her aunt present in the room and was never left alone with him" she finally came out with it. I could almost laugh, here her daughter could have been seriously injured and she's worried about what the people might say.

"I understand what you are getting at and I offer my apologies Mrs. Swan. The decision I took was strictly due to finding out as soon as possible the extent of her injuries and as a medic, prejudices are not the first thing that I list off in my mind when I tend to a patient" I said. I went on "I suppose she told you about waking up in a stranger's bed and can understand her fears"

"She didn't tell me about it actually, she told her aunt and as you can imagine the poor thing is terribly embarrassed and feels mortified about waking up in your room without clothing no less, and feels she'd die of mortification if anyone found out about you seeing her in such a state" she said. I understood too, what with Isabella being brought up in a society like this it would feel like society would put her in shame for putting herself in that situation.

"Believe me that I'm terribly and truly sorry." I told her.

"Well that was the reason I made the decision to tell her in order to tranquilize her of your intentions to marry her, so that she would be at peace that her honor was still safe" she said. I lost ahold of the situation I seemed to have up until that moment, and felt my eyes go wide as saucers

"H-how did she react? Was s-she taken aback?" I asked stuttering like a fool. Mrs. Swan chuckled when she saw my reaction.

"She started crying the innocent thing. Of course her tears were of relief because to my utter shock she too has been entertaining the idea of getting to meet with you more often" she said and I was speechless. I just stared far off in space thinking about the next time I could speak to her.

Mrs. Swan soon after got into a more delicate conversation about their financial problems and asked me to help relieve their worries. After some convincing I agreed to but only after I had cemented my relationship with Bella. She and I of course agreed to keep that matter entirely private from Bella because I really didn't want her to accept my marriage proposal because she felt obligated to me and according to her mother it was better because Bella would rebel and try to prove she didn't want to marry for money even though I did not look at the situation in that fashion in the least. I already figured out that if Bella would marry for money she would have been married years ago with a couple kids, I'm sure. She was different. To be completely honest I didn't completely trust her mother but at the moment I would take what it took to get closer to Bella.

I went back to the manor and decided to purchase an engagement ring because I couldn't wait to have that serious conversation with Bella. If what her mother said was true Bella had all but already accepted to marry me and I was desperate to move things along with her. Not just because I knew she felt affection toward me but because I also recognized that we hardly knew each other and would love to rectify that fact as soon as possible.


The very next day I received a very put off gentleman seeking to speak to me. With everything on my mind these days I was desperate to get him on his way for whatever reason he came to speak to me so that I could be on my way to the Swan mansion and begin a more serious relationship with Bella. I quickly went to see what it was this man wanted.

"An honor to meet you Mr. Edward Anthony Cullen" I shook his hand.

"The honor is mine. In what can I be of service?" I responded.

"I have an IOU signed by your brother in law for quite an amount of money insuring that you would respond for his payment". What?

"Brother in law?" I asked.

"Yes, Mr. Emmett Swan" he said. I couldn't believe it.

"As of this moment Mr. Swan and I have no lineage between us and have no responsibility to pay his debts" I let him know.

"But he said it in front of witnesses, it has to be paid" he implored.

"I'm sorry but that isn't my problem" I was not going to take on every one of Swan's problems and it's about time they realized it. I walked the man out of my home and he was on his way.


I decided to make my way to the Swan mansion after having lunch. My mind was up in the clouds thinking about the many conversations I could have with Bella. I was climbing the steps to the front garden of Bella's home when there in front of me was Bella. She looked beautiful. She was the vision of purity and innocence in a soft yellow dress. Her bonnet was simply made out of straw and she was wearing a white apron. I gathered she was gardening. Two seconds after I took her in I noticed the same John Doe badgering Bella about the money Emmett Swan owed him. I felt so much rage that Bella would have to endure such embarrassment because of her irresponsible older brother. I had to put an end to this immediately. A lady should not have to worry herself with such matters.

"…the debts of a game need to be paid! I don't care who responds for it, it could be your grandmother for all I care young lady!" said this man in a voice much too strong for my taste when he's speaking to Bella. Bella looked straight at me and her cheeks instantly turned crimson. The man looked back at me when he saw Bella's expression.

"Well, look who it is, Mr. Edward Anthony Cullen!" said this obnoxious man.

"I'm so glad to see you're doing better" I directed to Bella.

"Thank you" was her shy response.

"Will you please excuse us?" I asked her politely. She simply curtsied with a small bend at the knee.

In harsh whispers I spoke to the man. "That's enough! I'll pay for the debt but quit annoying and disrespecting the young lady. Pass by my house this evening."

"Very well, excuse me. At your feet Miss Swan" he took his hat off in Bella's direction. I closed my eyes and breathed deeply before turning to face Bella. When I turned to look at her she was holding her forehead with the tips of her fingers while she held herself around the waist with the other arm.

"There don't worry about that" I said to her softly with a smile on my face.

"I feel so embarrassed" she whimpered.

"The lack of responsibility was your brother's, not yours" I said to help her relax.

"It's the same when it's about my family" she said to me. She looked at me and turned to walk away but not before saying "You must have a horrible opinion about us."

I caught up to her and got in front of her to stop her.

"What else did that man say to you?" I asked her

"Well, he had already been here this morning and said he came from your house. I can't believe Emmett dared to say what he did" she said softly.

I laughed out loud at how innocent she was "Are you referring to him saying I was his brother in-law?" I asked quite amused.

"Yes" she nodded at the same time.

"Don't feel mortified over that, quite frankly, those are the reasons for my visits" I confessed to her. She looked at me quite stunned.

"I'm quite taken with you Bella, since the very first time I saw you. Even before the ball." I said to her.

"Before the ball?" she asked.

"Yes, you were walking with your brother and maid. A boy tripped with a basket full of bread in front of you and you helped him up" I took a step closer to her and lowered my voice "You hypnotized me Bella". I saw her breath hitch.

"I understand I am practically a stranger to you, but if you give me the opportunity to court you, you might give us the chance to form a special and deep relationship. We might even come to know love" Even though I was already feeling like a fool in love I didn't want to scare her so I kept that to myself. She looked uncomfortable and I suppose that would be how she felt. She has been so shielded she might not even know how to respond to me.

"You don't have to respond to me right away, think about it. I'd love for you to accept but if you were to choose to deny me, I'd at least want it to be a free and honest choice not influenced by those around you" I said with all the honesty in the world.

"Why are you telling me all this?" she asked

"Because if I am to be married, I'd like for my wife to accept me for who I am, and not just for the economic position I hold" I decided to get brave and grabbed her hand and caress her knuckles while telling her this. I had a boost of confidence and kissed her knuckles. I looked up at her and she was looking intently at me and I couldn't help myself, I kissed her.

It was barely a peck but as soon as my lips touched hers she was startled.

"Did it bother you?" I asked to make sure.

"N-no" she sighed and gave me a little smile.

"Well how about we go visit with your father then? Would you like that?" I asked her.

"Yes" and she smiled wider. I extended my hand out and she placed her small delicate one in mine. We walked into her house with me holding on to her hand and I felt elated.


Inside we sat with her father the General and to my utter astonishment I liked this man more with every visit. We talked politics of course while Bella sat next to me quietly. Charles Swan surprised me by being on the opposite side of the rich snobs when it came to politics and we agreed a lot about so many things that it was so easy to hold a conversation with him. He was a very up stand man and was the only member of this family other than Bella that held my up most respect.

At one point Charles looked at Bella and asked her for her opinion.

"Well there is a lot of talk. They say that James Pierce and his people don't have the experience to govern the country, that those who voted for him is the town and because the town is ignorant it doesn't know what is best for the country" she stated.

"Do you agree with that?" General Swan asked her.

"Father you know I don't know very much about politics" she answered softly.

"Yes, but you have a brain sweetheart. What is your opinion on the matter?" he asked her.

"Well, when one walks through the streets or passes the fields, you see so many people in need and I think there is something that should be done. Give those people instruction, work so that they won't suffer hunger, and teach them to be cleaner. And if it is true that, that is what Mr. Pierce wanted to do then I believe he should have been given the opportunity because when there are people who have too much and others that don't have enough, well that's where the problems begin" she finished.

General Swan held a proud look on his face and turned to me.

"What do you think?" he asked me.

"That is the most sensible opinion I have heard in the matter" I turned and smiled at him.

Charles Swan then stood and Bella and I followed.

"Sweetheart, can you please go ask your mother what happened with the little cakes she promised us. The chocolate is getting cold" he told Bella with a smile.

"Of course father" she turned and left.

Charles Swan waited a few seconds then spoke.

"I asked Isabella to go because I know you don't want her to know about the most generous help you've provided us with the money" he looked down and my heart clenched for this man "I am very embarrassed and think that even though we are facing financial instabilities my wife should not have accepted your offer to help us" I felt my eyes go wide when I realized Mrs. Swan had lied to General Swan about how the money came into their possession. "I am referring to the mortgage payments. When Renee informed me I felt very bad because it would mortify me if you would think that we were taking advantage of the knowledge of the affection you feel towards Isabella"

I decided I did not want to cause this great man any more embarrassment and decided to let him believe what his wife informed him.

"I am glad to have been able to help" I assured him, because that part is very true.

"You are a man with a good heart, and if your wish you be married to Isabella comes true, I'd feel overjoyed. I sincerely mean that." he said to me and all I could do was plaster a big smile on my face.

"My daughter is a very good young lady, intelligent, with a noble soul. I've always told her we would never force a husband on her because she is free to choose. I think marriage is a big responsibility and a lot of the time women's opinions on the matter are diminished. I feel only true love can make it work" he said.

"I feel exactly the same way" I responded.

"I deeply desire that she returns the same affection to you. I love her so much, she's the apple of my eye, and deserves to be happy" he continued.

"If your daughter accepts me, I swear to you General that I would do anything in my power to make that happen" I said to him with all the honesty I could bring forth.

Charles Swan extended his hand to me and shook my hand. "I believe you" he said to me.