Chapter 10

Epov

The room was completely silent. Nobody dared to move a muscle. The only thing that could be heard was the rain against the window and the soft crying of my Bella. I knew that something terrible had happen to my girl. But I couldn't have imagined such a revolting incident like that.
Everybody was devastated by the revelations of Bella. All their thoughts were running through my mind.

"Oh, dear. How could somebody do that to Bella, the poor thing." Esme thought.
If she had been able to cry, she probably would have. She looked like she was standing on the edge of a complete meltdown.

"When I get the stupid mother f*cker in my hands, I'm going to rip his head off. No one messes around with my little sister." Emmett thought.
I was surprised with Emmett's protectiveness. I never knew that he felt so deeply for my Bella, that he already considered her as his sister. I was touched by my brothers devotion.
Jasper had similar feelings.

"The man isn't going to live long. We are going to track him down and destroy him."

Rosalie was also having a difficult time processing this. Maybe a bit harder than the rest of the family. She was blaming herself for not recognizing the symptoms. I really had compassion with my sister. She had been through comparable events long ago when she was human. Now the memories were coming back.

"I never knew that she had been through similar things as I had. Only, this is worse. How could I have been so stupid not seeing this? Oh, god!"

"Rosalie, it's not your fault." I whispered softly, trying to calm her down.

Emmett had heard my comment and took his wife in his arms. The whole family was just blown away from this information.
But Alice was the one with the strangest reaction. Instead of thinking of Bella, she thought of me.

"I'm sorry Edward. It must be horrible hearing this. I'm so sorry, brother."
She came standing behind me and laid her hand on my shoulder, supporting me.

"This is really disgusting, what that James did to her. I just can't process this. Who can somebody do that, keeping someone hostage for 25 years? I wish there was a way for us to undo this incident. I wish we could help her."

"We can." I simply said.

"Come, love. We'll go upstairs. You need some rest."

"That's a good idea, Edward. She did enough for today. I think she needs you. Now more than ever, son."

I took my girl in my arms and carried her bridal style to her room. She felt completely numb in my arms. I didn't like it one bit. It reminded me of my Bella when she first arrived here. Totally frozen and entirely detached from herself.
I laid her down on her bed and took place next to her, lying face to face. Very gently I stroked her face, wiping away all the tears that were appearing on her soft cheeks. But the tears didn't stop from coming. Bella just kept staring at me, her eyes telling me that dreadful story again and again.

"I'm so sorry, Edward."

"Why do you say that? You don't have to apologize ."

Why would Bella want to apologize? It didn't make any sense at all. She kept looking intensely at me, her eyes blurry from all the crying.

"I don't know. I thought that you and your brothers were just the same. The same as James. For all those years, I thought that all the men were cruel, abusive, sex-addicted creatures how only wanted woman for their own personal pleasures. That we were nothing more than slaves to them.
But I was wrong; I was so terribly wrong. You're not like all the others. You're just the opposite. Edward, you're the most kind, lovable, caring, charming young men I ever met in my life and I'm so sorry of thinking that you…"

"Shh, don't be sorry, my love."
I gently placed my fingers on her lips.

"You don't have to apologize. It's not your fault that you had such visions about men. The only guy you only knew, was that son of a b*tch. He did horrible things to you. And that for entire 25 years. You didn't know better. I don't blame you for thinking such things."

"But still…"

"No, Bella. I don't want to hear another word. That is over. This is not your fault. It's all in the past now. He is not going to hurt you anymore. Bella, you mean everything to me. I promise you, my love. I'm not going to let you go."

Her eyes were completely fuzzy and filled with tears. But they were also filled with love and adoration. A little smile appeared on her face. Her whole expression was lighting up. For the first time since her confession she sincerely smiled at me. Bella lifted her hand and began stroking my face, letting her small fingers glide from my hair over my cheek to my chin.

"Oh, Edward. I just don't deserve you. I'm so lucky to have found you. Well, you found me. You're just too good to be true."
She let her hand wander over my mouth, following the lines of my lips. I tenderly kissed her fingertips which made her eyes grow big.

"That's where you are wrong, my dear. It is me who's the lucky one. Because you are the most beautiful, endearing, sweet, mesmerizing woman I have ever seen in my whole life. You are just perfect, in every possible way. You're my one and only love, Bella. I love you."

It maybe wasn't the right time or the best moment to tell her that. But I just couldn't hold it back anymore. Bella had me under a sort of spell that was unbreakable. I just needed to tell her that I loved her. She had to know that I would be there for her at all times and that I would never leave her. That I was hers forever. Bella hadn't blinked or took a single breath ever since I told her that I loved her. She was completely blown away from my declaration. She didn't say a word.

I was starting to get a little nervous. No, scratch that. I was started to get really nervous, almost ready to combust. What if she didn't felt the same way? What if I scared her with my words? What if she didn't believe me? That she thought it was all a lie? Just some words to brighten up her mood, something I just said to make her feel better?
She didn't need to answer my feelings right away. I would give her time. It wasn't my intention to scare her away from me. And surely not at this particular moment.
Bella still kept her mouth shut.

"Bella?"

"Edward, I love you too."

My smile almost reached my ears. If I was still human, it would probably spilt my face in half. Bella loved me back! She truly loved me! I never felt so happy in my life. Bella gave me also a heartmelting smile. She kept her eyes lock with mine but even now and then she let hers fall down to my lips. I knew what she was hinting for. Even so carefully I leaned a little bit closer to her. Slowly I closed the gap between us. Bella came little by little towards me and sealed her eyes.

Finally I let my lips brush against hers. The very first seconds Bella seemed to be a little surprised but soon she started to return the kiss. It felt so good, heavenly almost. I never experienced such a divine feeling. Her lips tasted so delicious, so soft and perfectly shaped for my mouth. Bella pressed herself closer to me and slipped her fingers into my hair. All of a sudden I felt her tongue very lightly trace my bottom lip. I opened my mouth a little wider, meeting her halfway. Wow, I never thought this could be so good. No wonder everybody keeps chatting about it in their heads.

I didn't had a clue how long we stayed there, exploring each other. But I was the one who eventually pulled away. Bella's lips were a bit swollen and even more reddish than usually. Probably mine had the same outcome. Bella grinned at me which made me smile even more. I pulled her close to me, leaning my head against hers.

"Don't you worry. I will never leave you, Bella. I'll protect you, no matter what."

Jpov

"I'm going to find her. She is mine, Bella is mine!"

"You sneaky little bitch. Trying to escape from me? Oh no! You're mine and nobody's else's. I created you. Simply for my pleasure. Your ass and all that's attached to it belongs to me. I'm going to find you. And when I do, you'll be sorry for trying to leave me."

"Don't you worry, my little pet. Soon you will be back with your daddy. You're going to be safe again, in my arms. And when you're home again, you'll give me a gift. Because you probably missed your daddy. And you will be sorry that you ran away from me. Oh yes, you will give me a treat. I had been without for so long. Bella baby, I'm coming!"

Hey, I'm back with a new chapter. I hope you like it.
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