I'm back. Sorry guys, I've been locked in a cave for the past 2 days reading The Host (it's actually really good and not what I expected at all. It still has nothing on Twilight, duh). But that's not my point. You demanded more B&E and I live for nothing more than to serve my awesome readers, and the awesome-er ones who review!

Disclaimer: I do not own the Twilight series. They belong to Stephenie Meyer and always will.

Bella's POV

Edward had stayed true to his promise. Everyday for the past week, he had come by my room in the hospital. Sometimes he would only remain for a few minutes but, usually, we would sit and talk for hours on end.

He never once mentioned Charlie or my failed suicide attempt. I was grateful for his understanding. It always surprised me that he truly seemed to care about me. I kept reminding myself that he was probably only trying to maintain my sanity on his fathers orders.

Dr. Cullen was an amazing doctor and an even better man. He never told another soul about my father's abuse. Although, I suspected Edward's sister knew what was going on.

Alice had come to visit me to. She was eccentric and enthusiastic, sometimes it got rather tiering. Edward or Dr. Cullen often had to drag her out of my room because she was becoming too excited. She wanted to take me shopping and do my hair and just generally torture me for her own entertainment.

It was funny watching Edward and Alice arguing with each other. They always found something to disagree upon, like only siblings could. That was why it came as such a shock to me when I heard that they were adopted. It did explain why Dr. Cullen was so young, though.

I was already getting caught up into this strange new world. A family that cared about each other . . . and me. All three of them were kind and loving in their own ways. It was as if they had accepted me already.

That week of lying in a hospital bed was quickly turning into the best seven days of my life. The Cullens almost made me forget about what was waiting for me back at home . . . almost.

The shock hit me like an ice cold bucket of water being dumped over my head. That was the day I woke up, looked at my situation with realistic eyes for the first time sine I had awoken in the hospital.

It was so sudden, unexpected. I was sitting with Edward in my room. Dim sunlight filtered through the curtained window.

"I brought you some books to read." He had said, just as cautiously as ever, holding out a small pile of paperback novels. "Just some that I found when we were unpacking. I don't know how long you're going to be trapped here, so I figured you would want something else to do. —"

"Thank you," I had cut of his unnecessary rambling. "I was actually hoping to get something to read soon. What books did you get?"

And, with that, he began to list off the titles and authors for me. They all sounded interesting. Some I had heard of before, others were completely foreign to me.

It had been awkward between us at first but we soon bonded. Yet there were still strained silences where I was sure he was thinking of what Charlie did to me. I could see the worry and anger flash across his perfect features. Then there were times when his fingers would accidently brush across my skin, sending a jolt of electricity through my body. He always pulled away instantly but the tingly sensation remained, as did the urge to reach out and touch him again.

I had just selected a book to start with, when the door burst open, causing both me and Edward to jump in surprise. Dr. Cullen had come marching in, anxiety replacing his normally serene mask.

"What's wrong?" I questioned, my voice cracking.

He took a deep breath before beginning. "You are doing much better."

I nodded, I was feeling better, too. Under his watchful eyes and Edward's distractions, I was making a full recovery. I couldn't see what was causing him this stress.

Edward sat in the chair next to my bed, body tense, his expression mirrored his father's. Dr. Cullen couldn't meet my eyes as he spoke. "Well, it's about time you go home. There isn't much else I can do for you here."

My breath caught in my throat as soon as I heard the word 'home'. I knew what awaited me there.

"I'm sorry, Bella." He said sadly. Edward still had not made a sound. "He's been calling everyday. He wants to know when you can come back and I'm running out of excuses."

The crushing pain in my chest was too much to bare. It's weight dragged me down, submerged me in an icy ocean, leaving me gasping for air. Tears stung my eyes and I blinked them back, furiously.

I had known that this was coming. Yet, I had let myself hope that, somehow, my life could be turned around. It was stupid, I'll admit, to let myself grow close to Edward, Alice, and even Dr. Cullen. They were the first people to show me anything resembling human compassion in ten years.

I was suddenly aware that Dr. Cullen had left my room. Edward's cool hand rested on my cheek. He whispered soothing words to me, but they meant nothing.

"Bella? Bella, please listen to me." His voice was low and hushed. "It's going to be alright. I promise. I'm not going to let him hurt you."

My heart clenched in agony, wishing I could believe him. But I knew that the truth couldn't be ignored anymore. This past week, I had forgotten the fact that I could never be just another teenager. I had responsibilities.

I flipped over, burying my head in my pillow. The tears escaped then, they soaked my face as violent sobs racked my frame. Edward let his hand fall when I moved.

I cringed away when I felt him stroke my hair. "I'm so sorry, Bella."

I don't know how long we stayed like that. Me crying my eyes out, and him confused and longing for a way to erase my pain.

"You don't have to go back," Edward after what felt like hours. "You could tell someone, get yourself out."

My words were muffled because I kept my head pressed into the pillow. "I told you before, I'm not going to say anything. And neither are you."

"That's one thing that I can't guarantee."

"You have to." I said, finally rolling over to face him. "I've been dealing with this for a long time. In three years I'll be eighteen. Then I can move out."

"Not good enough." We were both angry now. "I'm not going to let you go back there and get hurt again."

"It's not your choice to make." I spat. I wasn't even sure why I was reacting like this. The flood of emotions was doing nothing to help my think clearly.

We stared at each other for an immeasurable period of time. Then his expression softened. It filled with nothing but sympathy and sorrow. I turned away again, I did not want anyone's pity.

"There's nothing you can do, Edward. I've let this go on for too long. It's not fair to you."

"What are you talking about?"

"I broke everything I ever stood for by getting closer to you. I had learned a long time ago that trust can only lead to a shattered heart."

"Bella, listen to me." He spoke firmly. "It's not like that. There is a whole world out there. People do care about each other. It's not your fault that you have had this life."

"Maybe it is, maybe I do deserve all of it."

"No! God, Bella, I could kill him for making you think this way." I flinched away from the venom in his voice.

"I'm going back," I said so quietly that I was surprised when he responded.

"Why?" Edward thundered.

"What other choice do I have? He's my father." I knew my fate, I accepted it.

"Well, I hope you're happy. Because your 'father' is coming to pick you up in about an hour." The pain of hearing this cut through my heart with a knife.

A moment of silence passed. Tears welled up behind my eyes and flowed down my cheeks. Edward just stood there, his chest heaving.

Then he seemed to realize what he had said. A look of horror spread across his angelic features and he dropped to his knees beside me.

"God, I'm so sorry, Bella. I didn't mean it. Please forgive me." His tone was broken.

"Just go, Edward. It's better for both of us." My voice cracked. I had let myself depend on him already and I couldn't go on any longer.

"I'm so sorry." He whispered as he rose to his feet. Then he left . . . he was really gone.

I sobbed into my hands again. Agony crashed over me in waves. It's safer. You'll get over it. It's safer. Those thoughts ran through my head over and over. But they were not enough to ease my suffering.

XxXxXxXxXxX

I sat in the front seat of the police cruiser, Charlie beside me. Neither of us spoke.

The strained silence lasted for the entire car ride. However, I could feel the hostility rolling off of him.

We made hit home without a word. I hopped out as soon as the car was safely stopped in the driveway. Maybe if I made it up to my room fast enough, he wouldn't —

"Where do you think you're going?" Charlie sneered. I halted in my tracks, one foot on the edge of the staircase.

"I told you what would happen if you were ever caught. Good thing you're a klutz. It makes a great cover story. And that stupid doctor of yours believed it. Ha!"

I watched from the corner of my eye as he bent over. When Charlie stood up, there was an empty beer bottle clutched in his hand.

He took a step closer to me. As he did so, his arm flew out. The glass bottle smashed against the living room wall, sending tiny shards flying across the room. I winced as a few of them sliced my face.

Charlie moved forward, still holding the neck of the bottle. The end was jagged, like a shark's teeth.

"I thought you would learn." His mouth twisted up into a sick grin. "Maybe a little reminder would do you some good."

He was inches from me now. A sharp, stabbing pain hit my stomach as he dragged the rough, broken edge of the bottle down my abdomen. It cut through my shirt easily, slicing the tender skin underneath.

"You're lucky that you're going to school tomorrow, or it would be much worse." Charlie sauntered up the stairs, humming to himself. I sank to the floor clutching my bleeding ribs. Every breath caused me unbearable pain.

It was then that I remembered why I had held the gun to my head in the first place.

I crawled up to my room, holding my stomach. Once there, I wrapped myself in several shirts to stop the bleeding. I was lightheaded from the scent. When I was sure that it was secure enough, I lugged myself to my bed and let unconsciousness take over.

Don't hate me! Good things are coming, I promise.

Good news! I made it to the top 4 in the Denali Coven's competition. Voting started today (hint, hint!!) Link's on my profile!