I want to say thank you to the readers and reviewers out there. I am unable to really respond back because of the site but I just want to say thanks! I hate to be all 'review, review, review' but this is really time consuming and I'm wondering if I have enough interest to keep this going. So, please, just take a second to even just say 'good' or 'yikes' or 'what the hell'. You have no idea what it will mean to me :)

Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns these characters and the awesomeness that is Twilight! I'm just subjecting them to my fun little schemes.

Chapter 11

"...you know I can't."

"You can. Just get on the plane with me. We'll call everyone once we've landed. You don't even need to bring anything. We'll buy everything you need when we get there. My parents have a large pool house...or you could stay with me..."

Bella couldn't seem to form words as he poured out these unplanned ideas. She wanted to say yes. She wanted to get onto the plane and never look back—except for Rose, Alice and her father—who she knew would kill her if she did this. "I can't," she finally and firmly choked out.

"Bella, please..."

"I'm sorry. It's time to go. We have to head to the airport and I need to get back to..." To what? To Jake? To Rose and Ally, who are both never going to forgive me when I tell them the truth? To my father whose heart is going to break when I tell him about his best friend's son.

"Alright, yeah, let's go."

"I love you." Bella said it quickly, not knowing what else to say or do. "I don't even have a passport. Edward, I want to go but I can't leave the people who I love back here. God, this hurts so much..."

"I'm sorry, too."

Bella watched him stand up and dress. Her heart was completely shattering, something she thought had happened little by little every time Jake took his anger out on her. She knew now that any emotions she'd ever felt for her husband were overpowered by this haunted man in front of her.

The ride to the airport had been completely silent. The only discussions the two had since they were in the bedroom was when she tried to help him carry bags and he refused to allow her to carry anything and when he convinced her to let him drive. Now, they were in her puttering car, in awkward silence. Once they pulled into the airport, he went to get the bags from the trunk and he shook his head. "I don't like you driving this car. It's not safe."

"You seriously need to quit worrying about me like this. I'm going to be fine. I've always been fine. I can take care of myself."

"Dammit, Bella you shouldn't have to. We don't always love the right people. You are in danger, baby. You're life is in danger." He faced her now, standing in front of his gate, ticket in hand.

"I don't want to talk about this right now. Please. I don't want Jake to be the last thing we talk about."

"Alright, I'll drop it but I swear to God, if something happens to you...if he...I swear to God, I will use that gun."

"I know. I'm going to miss you, Edward. I don't want to say goodbye..."

"We have to. I'm not safe for you to be around either. If you need anything, you find Em or Jazz. Do you understand? They'll help you."

"Yeah. Alright. They're doing last call. You have to go."

He kissed her softly and she fought tears. He gave her a smile and said something but she couldn't process his words. All she knew was that she was absolutely in love with this man and she would never see him again. It took every ounce of energy she had to stay where she was and not pull him back towards her. He began to walk away, his back to her, and she grabbed onto a nearby beam to stay standing. She couldn't believe that after only two short weeks, she could have developed feelings this strong for a man she barely knew.

After watching his plane take off from the large window to her left, Bella got into her car, and drove. There were calls from Alice, Rosalie, Jasper, Emmett, and even her father. She couldn't talk to them. She could barely breathe. When she did finally decide to give her car a rest, Bella headed back to the hotel, still unable to face anyone. She decided to call her dad, figuring if Jake hadn't called her yet, her father probably wasn't calling about her disappearance. "Hello?"

"Hey, you called," it was the first time Bella had spoken since she was at the airport and she realized she sounded completely pathetic.

"Yeah. Jake's been acting weird, Bella. I think maybe we should talk when I get back. He's saying that you are cheating on him..."

"Dad. I'm...I don't want to discuss this over the phone." She began to cry again.

"We'll be back Sunday but I wanted to make sure you were okay. This isn't like you, Bella."

"I'm fine. Really. I...we can talk on Sunday."

After getting off the phone with him, Bella climbed into bed and pulled the blankets up around her. They smelled like him and she began to feel sick again. She had no idea how long she laid there but after the sun went down, she heard a knock at the door. Assuming it was hotel staff, Bella walked over and opened the door. "Emmett..."

"I figured you were here. He's gone?"

"Yeah. He's gone." Bella stepped aside and gestured him in.

"I called Rosalie. I don't care if you hate me or not. Judging from the look on your face, I'd say you really need her. Alice isn't speaking to Jasper right now..."

"Bella?" Jasper said, practically jogging down the hallway towards the still open door.

"Jazz..."

"Where's Edward? What the hell's going on? Alice flipped and said something about him leaving. Does she know it's just to visit..."

"It's not, man. Jake told Danny Edward is the one who hurt her."

Bella couldn't listen to them as they discussed the fate of their best friend. She silently walked away, over to the kitchen, and grabbed a bottle of water that was left behind in the refrigerator. As she brought the bottle to her mouth, she realized she was shaking. Snap out of it. He's gone. He's not coming back. Move on.

"Bella! Where is she?" Rose's voice rang out from the front room of the suite. Seconds later, she saw Rose round the corner and in less than a second, she was in her best friends arms. "Bella! Oh, God! Why didn't you tell me? I've been so worried about you! Alice is calling it quits with Jasper...Bella, you have to tell her. You have to tell your dad! He can help you!"

"Rose..." Bella whispered, tears running down her face, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I'm hurting everyone and Edward's gone. He's gone. He's not coming back."

"Edward? Bella, Jake's hurting you. Why are you...Edward didn't leave on his own, did he? They made him..." Bella nodded her head. "What happened?"

Bella sighed and gave her friend a pained look. While Rosalie lead her to the couch in the next room, Jasper and Emmett got quiet. They all looked expectantly at her and Bella took a deep breath before beginning. First, she began with Jake. Next, she explained why she kept the secrets that she did. Last, after prompting from Rosalie, she tried to explain the fucked up situation that was her and Edward. When she was done, Bella realized she was wrapping her arms around herself as if to stay in one piece. They all looked at her, stunned, and Bella began to wonder if she should have told them as much as she had.

Finally, Rosalie, shook her head, "You need to tell you dad. Jake should be in jail!"

"Rose, I can't. You can't either! He'll hurt my dad if I say anything. You're all in danger just because you know about him. He's crazy. He'll come after you, too."

"No. He won't." Emmett said it with deadly force and Bella was shocked to see the darkness that radiated from his eyes.

"So, I mean, I won't judge you but...did you...ya know..with Edward."

The look on Bella's face must have given it away because Rosalie nodded knowingly and sat back on the couch while Emmett shifted uncomfortably and Jasper pretended to play with his cell phone. "What are we going to do?" Emmett asked her.

"Nothing. I'm serious. You all need to just stay out of this. I've already ruined Edward's career, I won't do it to yours."

"Bella, do you love him? Edward, I mean," her best friend asked quietly.

She smiled a sad smile and nodded, "Very, very much."

"Then you have to tell him!"

"Who?" Bella had no idea if she meant she wanted Bella to admit it to Jake or Edward.

"Edward!"

"Rose, Jake will kill him. If I try to leave he'll go after my dad, Edward, all of you, he's dangerous!"

"I can't believe Edward left..."

"Rose, please, I can't..."

"Bella, you shouldn't hurt this bad just because he left. He's not just another dance partner and you know it! You need to tell him how you feel!"

"He knows."

"And he just left? Just like that?"

"Rose, it's complicated! He doesn't want to be in a relationship. Definitely not one with me."

"That's not true." Bella was surprised to hear Jasper speak up after his long stint of silence.

"Jazz?"

"It's not true. He loves you, too. He's just...he's being Edward. He blames himself for everything. This isn't about you. I've never seen him as happy as he has been with you. You make him smile. He doesn't smile anymore."

"It's over, guys. Edward and I are better of without each other. He's not coming back. I have to deal with Jake on my own and I plan to. First, I need to talk to Ally. Jasper, I am so, so sorry for doing this to you. She doesn't know but I'm going to make this right. I swear it. I have to..."

"She's not going to take it well. Call me when you do it. I should be there for her after."

"Yeah. I will. Rose, I am going to mention to my dad that there is something definitely not okay. I just need time. Em, I have absolutely no right to ask you this...he's made it clear he wants to be left alone...but I need you to make sure he's okay. I'm worried about him. He's so depressed."

"He's always been that way, Bella. Ever since I met him. He needs space and I just pray to God he doesn't get involved in...things...again. I'm worried to. Believe me, I'll be in contact with his mom and Keira both. If he slips up, I'm going to do everything in my power to fix it."

"I'm scared, Emmett. I miss him and I'm scared and I just don't know if I can do this..."

"You'll get through it. You're not alone anymore, Bella," Rose put in.

"Yeah, now, let's get Ally in here so that she can see that I didn't mean to upset her..."

Bella smiled at her new friend, he was completely head over heels in love with Alice. She could tell from the way his face lit up when he said her name and the way he seemed to be completely focused on her other best friend. Bella wouldn't have it any other way. "I'll call her now."

Later that night, Bella was back in the Edward-scented bed, trying desperately to fall sleep. After telling Alice everything, they both cried for a good twenty minutes before Alice left to go down the hall and find Jasper. Alice had said the same thing Rosalie did, "This shouldn't hurt that bad, Bella."

What her mind was really thinking about was Edward. They were right—this shouldn't hurt like this. Trying to remind herself that it was just a fling, that he had no feelings for her, that she shouldn't have feelings for him, Bella couldn't even believe her own lies. What she wanted to do was call him. Make sure he landed safely. Listen as he talked about the flight, his day, what he was going to do tomorrow, what he'd eaten, if he'd seen his parents...it didn't matter what he said, as long as she could hear his voice.

Around three am, she finally gave up and went into the small kitchen. With another water in hand, Bella plopped down on the couch and switched the tv to a global newscast. After watching the devastation that had hit Japan, a story about a man who was arrested for animal abuse, and a report on the rising gas prices, Bella felt even more depressed than she already was. She had to figure things out, come up with a plan, get the hell away from Forks...and not into the arms of Edward Cullen. He was gone and she had to come to terms with that.

Grabbing hotel stationary and a pen, she began to make a list.

to dad on Sunday—tell him that I didn't cheat. Tell him Jake has hurt me. Tell him I don't want Billy to know.

on dad's reaction, explain the Edward situation (minus the sex), tell him that I am safe and he needs to be careful.

Jake agree to get help, if not, tell him I'm leaving.

Jake gets help, try to work things out.
Jake refuses...run.

On another piece of paper, she wrote a list with a heading this time. 'If running.'

out how much money I have.

out of the apartment with the girls.

my dad and even Billy that I'm leaving for awhile but I'm safe.

the girls goodbye...and Jazz and Em.

.

They were overwhelming lists. Each item depended on the reactions of others. It could all go smoothly or it could all go to hell. One thing was for sure, if she did decide to run, she would be sure her dad knew the truth and would be willing to arrest a man he thought of as a son. If not, she would stay with her husband...even if it would cost her her life. There was no way in hell she was putting the girls in danger.

Tired of sitting around, Bella called the Intelli-phone for the local bank where she and Jake kept two separate accounts and one joint. She checked the joint first and found the five hundred was still there that Jake allotted her each month. The next account she entered an account number and pin for was her own. She listened, expecting there to be a little less than one thousand—nowhere near enough to help her out of the situation she was in. "Current ledger balance is $30,897.73," Bella almost dropped the phone, "Amount available for cash withdrawal, $30,897.73 with transactions performed today totaling positive, $30,000.00 dollars. For all transactions performed since your last statement, press one." The bank really fucked up this time. She added 'call the bank' to her first list of things to do.

Bella woke up on the couch around nine o'clock the next morning. Without a doubt, yesterday had to have been the longest day of her life. The pain from Edward's leaving was still very real to her but she felt slightly refreshed and ready to deal with the outside world. After checking her phone to see if Edward called her—which he hadn't-she called the bank. The girl answered, "Forks National Bank, this is Jennifer speaking, how can I help you?"

It was an automatic hello and Bella felt bad for even calling on a Saturday. They were only open until noon but she was pretty sure they were busy. "Yes, this is Isabella Black. I need someone to check the balance on my account. Do you need my account number?"

"Nope. Alright, I found you. For verification, I need the last four digits of your Social Security number." Bella rattled them off and waited anxiously. "You're balance as of yesterday is $30,897.73. Have a nice weekend."

Bella could tell the girl just wanted her off the phone. "Wait! I need to know where the deposit for the $30,000.00 came from yesterday. It must be a mistake..."

"Nope. It was wired into your account..."

"Wired?"

"Yeah, someone took the money directly from their account and put it into yours."

"Miss, look, I know you're busy but I really need your help. I didn't deposit that money and I have no idea who has."

"Alright, let me get your number and I'll call you back. I need to make some phone calls and see if I can get the original wire forms that were faxed to us. It will at least tell us the name of the sender and could possibly have a reason written down. Not to alarm you, this could be a scam. Have you given out your number to anyone recently?"

"No. Absolutely not."

"Then give me about fifteen minutes and I'll call you back. No need to worry. Just don't try to touch that until we know it belongs in the account, otherwise, you'll have to pay it back."

"No problem, thanks for your trouble."

In less time than it took Bella to wash her face and look around for a toothbrush, the girl called back—she sounded slightly out of breath and Bella realized she seemed excited. "Is this Isabella?"

"Yes. Hi. What did you find?"

"It's not a scam, at least, it doesn't seem to be. Says here it came from United Kingdom Savings Bank."

"Why doesn't it seem to be a scam?"

"There's a very kind note handwritten into the memo box. 'Bella, Edward said you weren't safe. You need a new car. Here's the money. Don't argue, just take it. Liam.'

"Holy shit! I'm sorry...I'm...I'm just kind of surprised..."

"No worries. Do you know this Liam guy?"

"Yeah...I mean...kind of," Bella realized she had no way to get a hold of Liam and resolved to at the very least, call and ream out Edward for getting involved like this. "Is there a number or any contact information for Liam Masen?"

"No. The only information is to the UKSB directly. We do have an address for the bank if you'd like that."

"No, no. That's fine. Thanks for your help. It's been...an interesting morning..."

"Isabella, if you don't mind my saying, I don't know if you're married or not but whoever this Liam is...I say get him before he's taken." The girl laughed and Bella pretended to find it funny. The truth was, she didn't want the man who'd sent the money, she wanted the man who undoubtedly gave his brother the money to do it. There was no way in hell she would use a penny of the cash. No. Way. In. Hell.

Freshly showered, Bella left in the clothes she'd worn yesterday to head to the apartment. She started her car, after it sputtered for a few seconds, and halfway home she decided to try to call Edward. He had to know she couldn't just take his money like this. No one was around when she got there so she brushed her teeth, threw on a pair of jeans, and sat down to call Edward.

She wasn't surprised when it rang and rang before just going to voicemail. She figured it wouldn't matter and just waited for the beep. "You know I can't accept this money. It was very thoughtful of you but I just simply can't. On Monday, I'll be sending it back to Liam. Thanks, though. I know you were trying to be helpful. I hope your plane landed and you got home safely. I hope things are well at home. Call me back...I mean...you don't have to...unless you want...You know what, never mind. Goodbye."

Cringing, she realized how bitchy she sounded and called him again, once again the beep went off and she began to talk, "I didn't mean for that to come out like that. Sorry."

"Bella! You're home!" Alice called, bouncing over to her and giving her a hug. "Who were you talking to?"

"No one...just...no one. So, you and Jazz are okay again?" Bella asked hopefully, excited for her friend but also wanting to change the subject.

"Yes!" Bella smiled, knowing Alice had taken the bait. "He took me dancing and...I'm sorry. I shouldn't be telling you about all of this right now."

"It's okay. I'm glad to see you happy again. Edward and I should never have been and it's over now. What we did was wrong, no matter what Jake has been doing. I was unfaithful."

"Aside from the sex, do you really think you two weren't meant to find each other? Bella, if he hadn't ended up in your life, do you really think anything would have come out about you and Jake? Edward did what he could without totally stepping and going to the authorities—he got Jazz and Emmett involved. He saved you!"

"Ally, you've been reading way to many fairy tales. This isn't a fairytale. I cheated on my husband. I lied to my best friends. Edward left and doesn't want there to be a fairytale ending for us. You have your prince charming, Al. I truly am happy for you. That is a fairytale."

Alice gave her a small smile before hugging her again. "I don't know if I should tell you this now or later but I ran into Tyler this morning. Danny told him yesterday after Edward left that the two of you would be paired together. I don't really know how you are going to feel about that..."

"I'm not sure, either," Bella said with a frown, "I'm thinking of quitting, Alice. For good. I'm in way over my head with Jake right now. He needs help. If he doesn't get it...I'm going to have to leave him."

"And go to London?" Alice's entire face lit up.

"What? No. No. I couldn't. He doesn't want this, Alice. It was just a little fling. It's over. Besides, it's not like I even have a passport or anything like that."

"True. You could get one..." she hinted.

"Alice, I am not going to London. Just drop it. I still have a husband. If I have to run, I'll need somewhere safe to go."

"London," Alice said as if she were coughing into her sleeve.

"Alice!"

"Okay, I'm done, I'm done. I do think you'll be making a mistake if you walk away from dancing."

"I don't have a choice. Jake's right, I'm getting nowhere fast. I need to let this go so I can do what makes me happy..." She saw the look on her best friends face and glared, "Mary Alice Brandon, don't even say it!"

Alice smirked and said innocently, "What? Do you mean Europe?"

"Ugh!" Bella groaned. "Alice!"

The next day, Jake came home and Bella tried to keep her distance. He seemed to be in a good enough mood but the guilt of what happened between her and Edward was enough to make her sick. When it was time to meet Charlie, Bella found him in a small diner they'd eaten at hundreds of times over the years. "Hey, dad."

"Hey, Bells. So, have a seat. What's been going on, kiddo?'

"Dad...Jake's...there's something wrong. Something different."

"Bella, look, that still doesn't give you the right to be with...another man," he said awkwardly, obviously uncomfortable with the discussion.

"No, it's not...dad...he hits me. He pushed me into walls...I have bruises to prove it!" When he didn't say anything, Bella looked down at her arms, suddenly remembering the bracelets he'd wanted her to wear—which were now in their boxes at home. "He wanted me to wear these bracelets so that I'd 'remember who I belonged to'."

"Bella, in all of the years I've known Jake..."

"Those years mean nothing compared to the years you've spent with me! You said it yourself! This just isn't like me. Dad, I'm scared!"

"What do you expect me to do? Arrest him?"

"Why are you being so uncaring? I'm your daughter! He hits me!"

Charlie softened, "I'm sorry, I'm just surprised to hear this. Really, though, what do you want me to do? I can bring him in for questioning...do you want to press charges against him?"

"Well, yes but no. I think he needs help. He wasn't always like this and I think he should see someone."

"Billy's going to have a heart attack when he hears this..."

"No! You can't tell him. Dad, promise me."

"Why the hell not? If his son is smacking my daughter around, Billy should damn well know about it!" The shock had finally come out of his words and he was reacting the way Bella originally expected, he was pissed.

"He'll try to hurt whoever knows, even you."

"Don't worry about me."

"Well, I do," Bella said, frustrated.

"So, is it true then?"

"Is what true?"

"Have you had...er...relations with another man?" Again with the awkwardness.

"Dad..."

"Bella, did you cheat on him?"

She couldn't lie to her father, nodding her head, she gave in, "Yeah, yeah, I did."

"Do you love this other guy, Bella?"

"Dad?" Bella looked at him confused, having no idea where he was going with this.

"Your mom left me after she had you. I know you already know that," he said, shaking his head, "but she didn't love me. There was someone else. He had nothing figured out with his life and her parents hated him. They wanted her with me, who they'd known practically forever, and had a stable job. So, she did it, she married me. Things were great for awhile but it just wasn't there anymore, Bells. When she got pregnant with you, I thought things would get better, bring us closer. She loved you, we both did, but having a baby with someone is a lot of emotional strain. She always looked like she was longing for a completely different life.

Finally, I couldn't stand seeing her in so much pain. So I told her it was okay. I would raise you, she could leave. At first, she fought with me to take you. I told her that if she did, there was no way in hell she was going far away. Eventually, she did leave and left you with me. I think she knew she couldn't stay around here. She was too afraid to tell her parents, so she just left and didn't say anything to them."

Bella stared at him for a good minute. She'd known her mom had obviously left a long time ago but couldn't believe that it was because she had fallen in love with someone else. "Dad, why are you telling me this?"

"I've seen that look before Bella. I've seen it every day since your mother left when I look in the mirror.

I've seen the same look on your mother's face when she was desperate to see a man who wasn't me. So, I'm only going to say these things once. Don't tell Billy about what Jake has done, it will kill him. If I feel he needs to know, I'll talk to him. Promise me that when you leave Jake, you'll do it before a child comes along and you come back to visit. You're all I have, Bells."

When, not if. Charlie is expecting me to leave Jake. "Dad, Edward doesn't want this. He doesn't want a relationship," Bella said, completely defeated.

"Can I let you in on a secret? I have a bit of a confession to make."

"Yeah?" As if your little story wasn't confession enough for one day.

"I spoke with Alice this morning. She's told me everything. Bella, this man doesn't sound like he's as willing to turn his back as you think he is. I want to meet him."

"Dad..."

"I know what you're going to say. Don't. I would someday like to meet him. Anyway, we need to start discussing your husband before you have to leave. Are you in danger? Is it bad?"

"He...um...it depends on the mood he's in. He's usually not too bad but it's been getting worse. Dad, I'm getting scared."

"Alright. He said he's going back to Vancouver tonight. It's going to take a couple weeks before his two week notice is up. He'll be coming back for good then. I'll come back with you today, stay until he leaves..."

Bella could see how upset he was getting. "Dad, are you okay?" she asked quietly.

"I never would have thought he'd do this. He fooled the hell out of me, Bells."

"Finish your coffee. He'll be wondering what's taking so long."

Charlie walked Bella into the house and she saw him visibly tense when he saw the tall, muscular Emmett standing in their kitchen. Emmett did the same, seeing the man in uniform. "Em, this is my dad, Charlie. Dad, this is Emmett."

"Hello, chief Swan. It's nice to meet you."

Charlie responded with a curt nod, before turning to Bella, "He sounds British."

Bella shook his head, "He is, dad and he's standing right there..."

"I'm one of the dancers from London. I'm seeing Rosalie."

"Oh? Is Rose around? I haven't seen her in awhile," Charlie asked, glancing around.

"She ran into town with Alice and Jasper. I actually need to talk to Bella."

"Well, don't let my being here stop you."

"Dad. Wait for me in the living room. I'm sure there's some type of sports game on. Jake's car isn't here, he's probably at La Push. Go relax."

As soon as he was out of earshot, Bella walked over to Emmett. He lowered his voice, "I talked to Keira this morning."

Next chapter will probably be tomorrow. Sometime soon, we're going to get a glimpse at Edward's POV. Until next time, LP xoxo