13
Bella had agreed to marry Edward, and since Alice was released, they were all engaged in making plans. They had all these ideas about the honeymoon – where Alice would come too, neither of them wanted to be apart after what happened – from swimming with dolphins to climbing pyramids, from eating ratatouille in France (Alice had been so excited since she found out it's an actual dish) to dancing the hula in Hawaii. These plans were not made only by Alice. And even though it was obvious that both Bella and Edward were relieved that the girl was back, there was also this renewed intimate connection settling in.
Neither Bella nor Edward had mentioned the agreement. Edward was genuinely happy. He seemed much younger too, and his eyes were shining with something she hadn't seen before. Or not looked for.
Love.
Even though he had not said it aloud, it was in all his small gestures, the way he was prepared to hand the girls - his girls - the world on a platter. And things were finally going his way.
This frightened her. Back in her room, she took out her prized pictures. When they were taken, she still believed love was possible, was everything and conquered everything. She was still a teenager. Then she vowed she would not fall into the trap of thinking she could have the dream for herself. She had to accept that love just hurts too much and it's not for everyone.
However, the way Edward was looking at her and treating her made her feel like something very precious, very fragile… it scared her. She realized it was not fair to him not to come clean. He might have his demons, but hers were probably worse. They had to talk things out, and sooner rather than later. With her rose-colored lenses, she could only see the good intentions in Edward now.
She found her way to Edward's study and timidly asked permission to enter. Edward greeted her with a smile and a passionate kiss. Seeing her preoccupied, Edward became guarded and immediately asked what happened.
"You know, when we were at the hospital and were interrupted by the doctor, you were on the brink of telling me something," Bella started shyly.
Edward's face became darker as he cautiously started, "Yes, there was something, but in light of everything, I'm not sure how you would react to it… "
"It's important for me to know," Bella insisted.
"Well, do you remember there was a drunk guy who tried to molest you at work a few months ago?"
"James?"
"Yes," only pronouncing his name made Edward's jaw clench, "I've actually known him for a while. He was behind Alice's kidnapping."
"What?" Did this have anything to do with her?
"That's exactly why I hesitated in telling you. I didn't want you to feel guilty for that maniac. This is between him and me. We've known each other since way back… But I changed my ways, and he couldn't accept that. He wanted to see me suffer somehow."
Could she just accept Edward's explanations? She needed to learn to trust him at some point.
"And… was this what you wanted to tell me at the hospital?"
A moment of hesitation.
"Yes," and Edward embraced her tightly. "He will get what he deserves, though. My lawyers are unto him. The Volturi will eat them alive. I just want to put the past behind us."
Bella could not really go ahead with her confession now. She went back to her room light-headed. But something was still nagging her. A little thing that she had placed in the corner of her mind, to dismiss and forget. But, it was coming back to haunt her.
She found the little piece of paper.
It was with the contact details of Anne, the woman Edward had met without wanting Bella to see her. Or that was what her female intuition was telling her. She had her photos in one hand and the post-it in the other. She could take them to Edward and throw away the other. Instead, she put the photos back in the box and took out her phone to dial the number.
They agreed on coffee first thing in the morning. Bella was early. Since Alice's accident, she was staying in Edward's room and waking up in his embrace. This morning, she had to make up an excuse about seeing a wedding planner to get out quickly. Well, quicker than usual. She was smiling at the memory when Anne arrived.
"Sorry, I hope I haven't kept you waiting," the woman took the seat opposite Bella.
"No, of course not! Do you… do you know who I am?"
"Oh, I didn't mean to be intrusive. I 'm afraid everyone at our company knows who you are. I also forgot to offer my congratulations." This woman baffled her; with the looks of an innocent girl, and the manners of a refined lady, who exactly was she?
"That is quite all right, thank you. Do you know why I called you?"
"I… think so. I cannot question Mr. Cullen's decisions; I think he had his motives to act this way. He has always been professional to me."
"I am afraid I don't follow, Anne."
"Well, I can only assume you are here because you found out that Mr. Cullen and I were married for a short while, and wanted to be reassured from me as well."
Bella was speechless. Anne caught on, and for a moment she was ready to bolt.
"I apologize, I didn't mean to speak out of turn. You mustn't think of this again," Anne was rambling; on one hand, she asked to give an explanation before getting up, and on the other, she was looking for a way out when Bella intervened.
"Please wait. What do you mean, married?"
"Please don't misunderstand. It might appear glamorous, but it was just a means to an end, as Mr. Cullen put it. He was setting up his company. He was in desperate need of a wife, he told me. He... he actually paid me a great sum of money for my troubles. I was in debt. Student loans and all that… I accepted. He was very honest from the get-go. Nothing inappropriate happened. We were just seen in public together, had pictures taken, that sort of thing. After a few months, we separated as quietly as we had gotten married. Just a quick trip to the town hall. I later came to work for the company. No one there knows, so really, it is not worth mentioning." She tried to sound dismissive.
"Not worth mentioning? How about Alice?"
"Who? Oh, you mean Mr. Cullen's little girl? You don't actually believe… No, we didn't have that sort of relationship! This was before Alice!"
Bella had so many questions swarming in her mind, she did not know where to begin.
"But why?"
"Why…?"
"Surely he must have given you a reason, a hint!"
"I didn't really probe him… I didn't have the most honest intentions myself, getting paid to be in a fake marriage… who was I to question him? But if I may, I would assume it was something to do with Mr. Carlisle."
"Who?"
"Well, Mr. Cullen's father," Anne was really unsure if she had spoken too much.
"Edward's father? What does he have to do with anything?"
"I'm not sure, but ever since Mr. Cullen had come back from Forks, he seemed to have a purpose, like he was trying to prove himself, accomplish something."
Bella had frozen.
She had barely registered what was said after Forks, or the fact that Anne had taken advantage of her going into shock to excuse herself and get away. And now Bella was left again with more questions than answers. Her world came crashing down on her. Maybe Edward's secrets were actually more terrible than hers?
And that name… Forks, could it be the same Forks? Her instincts told her it wasn't a coincidence, especially under the conditions in which she and Edward met. Ever since she was eighteen, Bella thought she was a coward. She had drifted through life without standing up for herself and taking the initiative when she had to. Becoming destructive after making bad choices. This time she couldn't back off, the stakes were too high. Not only her future, but also the one of a beautiful little girl whom she adored and who believed in her. And a complicated man who seemed to vanish the closer she got to reaching him.
So she did the only thing she could – she left a quick message for Alice, and headed to Forks.
A/N: And... I'm back! I'm sure not many are liking Edward right now, but at least we are one step closer to unveiling the truth - next chapter we arrive at the prologue! Thank you to my beta Fran and to all of you reading for your continuous support!