Hello my beloved readers! Hell month is about to start at school so I can't promise that I'll be able to update every week so I'm going to give you a long chapter.

I finally found a beta! *applauses* And she is AlwaysAndForever13. She's going to help me revise the whole story so that the story will be more efficient and relatable. I really finished the whole story plot in my head so I promise that as long as there's somebody out there reading my work, I'll finish this as soon as I can.

ENJOY! :D

Disclaimers are applied.

Chapter 14: Aftermath

"Bella. I waited for you but you never came."

"I'm here and that's all it matters, right?" I was trembling.

"You never write back. You even broke your promise."

"I'm sorry. I know I made a huge mistake. I need you. Please. Let me go back to where I belong. Let me go back to you!"

He scowled.

His face was grim yet so beautiful. His green eyes that once sparkled were now filled with sorrow. He was taller than the last time I saw him but he was more built, more muscular. I will exchange one decade of my lifetime just to hold him, tracing the angles of his jaw line and hearing him say he loves me one last time.

But I destroyed us single-handedly.

He snarled. "Bella, just because now you are willing to admit that you needed me doesn't change the fact that you threw me away like trash."

"I didn't throw you away." My voice was getting weaker.

"You did. You treated me like some toy that a child discards immediately after being taunted by a shiny new one."

"Do you mean Matthew? He's just a friend."

"It doesn't matter whether he's a friend or not. The mere fact that after all that we've been through, you gave up on us in a snap."

I felt my throat tighten as he continued on.

"You never relied on me. Sometimes, I wonder if I was even the one for you during that time because you seem so distant but when you needed something, it seems that you're like holding on for your dear life."

"But you are the one for me. I love you Edward." I pleaded.

He groaned. "I love you too Bella and you know that."

I prefer that he'd stop at that sentence but I think that will be a far cry from reality.

"But I think it's too late. We're already broken enough as it is."

I sobbed. "No, it's not too late."

He pulled me into his arms. I inhaled his scent, knowing this might be the last time he will pull me close to him.

"You know I love you Bella but everything is irreparable now."

As he went on, listening was getting harder and harder for me. "We're too late to fix everything."

I choked. I know that he still loves me and I do too but why isn't that enough? Why isn't that enough for us to go back together? Why everything has to be so complicated?

I know that trust is like glass. Once you drop it and it breaks, it'll shatter into a million pieces. No matter how hard you try to put it back, the glass won't have the same beauty as before. But isn't love more genuine, more subjective than that? Isn't love enough to make everything better?

Is the reason pride? Is the reason my inability to relate to what he is going through? I felt a huge pang in my heart. I have the same pain lurking in me. I have the same love as he did for me. What is making everything so complicated?

Maybe that's why people often say that life is not fair. I admit that I am very confused about my situation. I love him no matter what but the reason why I let myself leave is for his sake. I wanted to protect him. I want to protect him from me but I don't think that will be any good as I thought before. We were strong once but I destroyed us by tearing us apart.

He is my weakness. Nightmare after nightmare, it was always him getting hurt in behalf of my existence. He will always be in pain when he is with me. He will be in grave danger in the future if we continued on but I overanalyzed my situation. I hadn't taken into account that we are weaker apart than we are together.

I'd rather die than to live without him.

"I'm sorry for hurting you Edward. I love you, more than anything in the world."

"It'll take time to heal the pain."

Another tear escaped my eye. He wiped it with his finger. His frown was getting bigger. "But I forgive you. Though I think it's better if we have distance for a while… I believe that I'm not the same Edward you have known before."

"What do you mean? You've always been the same Edward to me!"

"I need to breath and fix myself Bella. All my life, I have made my world revolve around you. My world crashed and left me with nothing as soon as you left me. I thought that you coming back to me will fix everything but it didn't."

"I was being stupid Edward! I thought I wasn't good enough for you. I wasn't healthy for you."

"Who are you to decide whether what I should feel or not? Don't you ever think of me?"

"I do. I always do."

"Lies. I'm tired of all these lies."

"I never lied to you especially about these things!" I cried out.

"Why can't you just accept the fact that you treated me like shit? Now, you think that I'll just swallow everything and welcome you in open arms?"

"I made a mistake. I know that. I apologize with all my heart. Is that what you want me to say? What do you want from me?" Our dramatic reunion is brewing into a full-fledged argument.

"You need to realize Bella, that I'm not a knight in shining armor nor a leading man who often stands in the side-lines. I could only take so much. You already took away everything that I have."

I bit my lip, trying to stop the hiccups that kept on coming. He continued on.

"I want us to work but I just can't as of this moment. Maybe we'll have another shot in the future but not now. I can't be here for you, for everything, when I know I can't give my one hundred percent to you. Our past will keep on haunting me until I take my time to face it and you take your time with yours too."

I sighed. "I really screwed us up didn't I?"

Then he said the dreaded sentence I avoid to hear in my entire lifetime.

"I think we're better of as friends now."

I forced a smile. "I think I like the sound of that."

Liar. I told myself. You know you don't want to be friends. But I needed him. If being friends is the closest distance I'll have, I'll take my chances.

I pushed away from him. "I think you'd better go."

"I'm here for you Bella, no matter what."

"As my friend, I know. You made your point clear."

He frowned.

"I was just teasing you." I joked though I meant it. "You know that I'm here for you no matter what too."

I moved closer to him, wrapping my arms around him then enveloped him with a hug. "I missed you."

"I missed you too." He hugged me tighter. He kissed the top of my head before we let go of each other.

"I shall be visiting soon." He smiled slightly.

"I shall take your word for it."

He placed a hand on my shoulder. He turned around then went on his way.

I watch him enter his car before driving off.

The skies rumbled as the dark heavy clouds took over. It is unusual to rain hard during the summer. I hate that the timing was always right. I hated the rain; it reminds me of scenarios I tried so hard to forget.

Last time I saw him, it was raining also. It was the last time he left knowing he was mine. The last time I could confidently say that I was his.

Hours turned into days, days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months. Time dragged on whilst I rather float my way on purgatory.

I wonder what it was like to die? I never died before. Maybe it's like falling asleep but never bothered waking up or maybe it's as drastic as feeling the life force drain from your body… Perhaps.

My new room was very unfamiliar to me. I hate preoccupying strangers with my presence but it seems that the family I tried to avoid at most became my guardian meanwhile Charles is still in comatose while Marie is still under therapy.

I heard the bell, signaling that it was time for brunch, caused me flinch at my feet. I stumbled upon the old box that I treasured the most, sprinting my way down to the dining table.

Everything was going well but perhaps I was speaking too soon. As I scurry to the stairs, I slammed my face to a muscular chest. I tumbled down to my feet proving my clumsiness hadn't grown out as I aged.

I felt arms bring me up by force so that the crash that I anticipated never happened.

"Good morning Bella." Edward's tone were more on polite than cheerful.

"Good morning to you too." I mumbled.

I blame Mr. Burnes for this, my father's lawyer. I knew it wasn't his fault and that he was just following my father's will. I guess that the Masen's and Dwyen's were more bonded than I thought.

Before the start of the semester, he arrived at the hospital room, which became residence for my unconscious father and me. He arrived wearing a brown coat and a top hat to match. He was young than what I always imagined him to be. His name was Isaac and he was the son and apprentice of the Burnes law offices. He was a bit nervous and uptight, not that I would blame him. I can be awfully inhospitable sometimes.

So that's why I got stuck here. It was horrible enough that there's an unspeakable tension between Edward and I and here I am invading his most sacred territory and his mother became my guardian, or what she enthusiastically says that she's my second mother now.

Edward and I never spoke except for occasional civilized responses and greetings. Add to my misery is that he and I are studying at a small local private school just a few minutes drive.

School was a bore, as always. My eyes were getting heavier. I fought the yawn that's waiting to come out. I fought my drowsiness by bonking my head to the thick biology book that I finished reading during the summer. I guess I was advanced in my homeschooling.

"Isabella." A sinister voice called out.

Gradually, the scene of the classroom started to shift to a temple made of marble where the columns were stories high and intricate details were visible on the walls.

"Who are you?" I called out.

"Isabella." The voice called out again. I shuddered at the voice's whisper.

The person was moving fast. I caught a glimpse of the shadow but it kept on moving.

"Whoever you are, I'm not afraid of you! You don't know who I am so never even attempt to challenge me!" My stance was firm as I prepared for the attack.

Instead of answering my challenge, the voice laughed so loud that it echoed around the whole temple.

Then I felt warm air over my left ear. There was somebody behind me and I am too aware of it.

"Fight me with what Isabella? You are powerless in my realm." Then I felt a tight grip on my arms.

"NO!" I screamed. "Let go of me."

"Bella! Wake up!" A pair of blue eyes locked my gaze.

I was gasping for air.

"Bella, are you alright?"

"I'm fine Matthew."

"What happened to you?"

"Let's not talk about it, okay?"

"Whatever you say. So, let's go?"

I forehead scrunched. "Go where?"

"Bella, lunch is almost over. Do you want to be late for class?" He smirked.

I looked around me. I didn't notice that I was resting my arms on the table in front of me. There were numerous shelves filled with books. Others scrambled as they arrange their belongings. I suppose they were on their way to class also.

What bothers me is that I never remembered how I got myself to the library.

"How did we get here?" I turned to Matthew.

"You dragged me here, remember?"

I shook my head. "Forget that I asked that. So, let's go?"

"You are rather unusual at times Isabella Dwyen."

"Like that ever bothered you."

"I guess not." He laughed.

The day wasn't anything special after that.

I dragged my feet to the chauffeur who was waiting for me.

"Aren't we supposed to wait for Edward?" I was used to seeing him beside the chauffeur, waiting for me every dismissal at school.

"Mr. Masen is sending apologies. He went home earlier than expected." The door was opened for me.

I slid into the leather seats. "Is there something wrong?"

"I believe that it is better if you ask him yourself Miss. I am not in the position to provide details in this matter."

I was shuffling my feet throughout the whole drive. Time was slower than what I expected.

I ran to the door as soon as the car halted. As soon as I entered the house, a wailing sound of a woman engulfed the entire room. Then it was followed by a crash that occurs every five seconds or so.

The house helper was holding Elizabeth who appears to be on the merge of mental breakdown. She cried out in sorrow. She was on her feet, swallowing her tears while clutching something tightly. I never had the courage to ask her what happened. It'll be insensitive of me and there's a voice in my head that suggests that it'll be very stupid of me if I did.

I want to help her and comfort her but I don't think that I'll be very much of service to her. Upstairs, the crashing sound continued.

Edward.

At my feet, I noticed a crumpled sheet of paper. Tearstains were visible as small splats filled the page.

Dear Madam Elizabeth Masen:

We regret to inform you that your husband, Colonel Edward Anthony S. Masen Sr., was killed in action during combat operations in the Pacific. His body is currently missing at sea and shall be sent immediately if retrieved.

We are sending our deepest condolences. Col. Masen is a great loss to the military.

I stopped reading when I heard another crash. I paled when I realized that what was Elizabeth was holding was I think the dog tag of Edward Sr. It was the only part of him that was recovered and was sent with the horrendous telegram.

I placed the telegram on the cabinet along the hallway. I ran upstairs, straight to Edward's room.

As soon as I opened the door, Edward was holding his lamp in the air. He was preparing to throw it. I immediately halted him.

"Edward! STOP!"

His face was covered in tears. His hair was scruffy. Blood flowed from the knuckles of his hands.

"What's the point Bella?" His voice was thick with venom.

I flinched. "He wouldn't want to see you like this."

"You don't understand. You. You are not in my position."

"I don't. I admit that. But I know that he loves you and he wants you to lead a good life."

He stared at me blankly.

I slowly paced towards him. "Edward, let me understand you."

He fell on his knees and sobbed. I immediately wrapped my arms around him. I looked around and his whole room was trashed. The mattress was off the bed, shattered bits of glass were scattered, the cabinet was lying on the side and curtains were falling from its rack.

"Is he really gone?"

I bit my lip as I choked on my own tears.

"He's in a better place." That was all that I could say.