Hello, all! Glad to have you back again. Let's see, when we last left off, Edward was very drunk, Anna was cheating, and Bella was trying to keep her head from exploding. Let's go back to that very moment, shall we? Enjoy.

The song for this chapter is Fall Apart Again by Brandi Carlile, and here's the link:

watch?v=FkbgbpX2M4Y

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Chapter Fourteen

"Anna's been cheating on me," Edward repeats when I don't move or speak. Hell, I'm not breathing at this point.

Shaking the Drano fumes out of my head, I drag him by the arm into the living room. I get him situated on one end of the couch and take a seat at the other, facing him. "What happened?"

Edward laughs bitterly and takes another swig off the bottle of Goose he ganked from my freezer. "Gather round, kiddies," he begins, wiping his mouth with his sleeve. Instead of elaborating like I expect him to, he takes another drink.

I take the vodka away from him, setting it on the floor out of his reach. "Tell me."

The trace of humor fades as he stares into space, looking at nothing but apparently seeing everything. "Tuesday. Shit went down Tuesday."

My brow furrows as I try to figure out the significance of Tuesday. Ah, yes. His bachelor party. "You were supposed to be out all night," I murmur.

"Supposed to be. The guys took me out for sushi, and later, on our way to club number two, I got sick in Emmett's rental. I guess I ate a bad tuna roll or something. Either way, stay away from Ming's on the Westside," he says, rubbing his stomach at the memory.

"Come on!"

"Right! I felt like absolute shit, so I had Emmett drive me home. All I wanted to do was go to bed. They dropped me off, and I went inside. Anna was supposed to be out with her parents all evening, so I was surprised to hear voices on the second floor. I figured she left the TV on in the bedroom, and I went up to check. That's when I found them," Edward said. He shudders, but other than that, his expression remains surprisingly vacant as he continues to staring into the great abyss.

"What do you mean you found them? Who?" I ask when he doesn't elaborate. This is exhausting.

When Edward does finally look at me, the hatred in his eyes is frightening. There's the anger I was waiting for.

"I mean, I saw them, Bella. I found her on top of that piece-of-shit art douche, Dr. Novak, in my bed. She was riding him like a wild bull in my fucking bed!"

I scoot closer. "My God, what did you do?"

Just like that, his flash of anger dies out and the vacant resignation returns. "Can I have the bottle back first?" he asks, blinking slowly, tiredly. I hand it to him without argument and, after a disturbingly long drink, he removes the bottle from his lips and continues. "Well, I turned on the lights and ripped the covers off them. Then, I threw up. Then, I yanked Dr. Dickhead out of the bed by his stupid fucking ponytail, dragged him down the stairs, and shoved him out the door. Without his pants. I threw up again after that."

Edward looks at the bottle in his hands and sighs, setting it down on the table instead of taking another drink. "The sick part is that's not the worst of it. Anna was packing a bag when I went back upstairs. She actually had the nerve to be mad at me. When I asked her why she would do something like that, she asked me how I can be so blind. Then, she said a simple bastard like me would never understand.

"I yelled for her to enlighten me and, well . . . she did. Apparently, marriage was one of her father's stipulations. The only reason she wanted me to be her husband was to get the rest of her trust fund. She got a portion when she turned eighteen, but I guess her bank accounts were starting to run dry and she was needing that second half. That's why she pursued me in the first place. She said I'm an easy target that happens to look good on her."

Oh, Edward. I can't believe he's known about this since Tuesday and hasn't said anything. I remember his words to me the night of the rehearsal, when he told me how horrible his week had been. Now, I know why.

"The rehearsal dinner . . . I had no idea . . ." I say, and the words are sticky in my throat.

"No one did. Anna told me if I did anything to embarrass her, she would ruin my world—whatever the fuck that means. She said if we went through with the ceremony, gave the marriage six months for the sake of appearances, and got a quiet divorce after Christmas, she would forget about the pre-nup I still haven't signed. I would walk away with half her money, and we would part ways amicably." Edward closes his eyes, and for a moment, looks like he's going to be sick.

I feel a little queasy, myself.

"For about two days, I was prepared to put everything aside and go along with her stupid plan. But I just can't. I can't pretend that everything is okay, that she didn't everything she did. No amount of money can make something like that right. I won't do it—not for her . . . not for anyone. I told Anna to fuck off this morning, and I've been at the bar with Jasper ever since. She's going back to New York next week, and I'll be at the Edgewater until she does."

I rake my fingers through my hair, massaging my aching, spinning head. "Jesus, Edward, I'm so, so sorry. What can I do?"

Edward lays his head back on the couch, pinching the skin between his brows. He's tired and drunk and incredibly overwhelmed. Lolling his head to the side so he can look at me, his eyes droop and his face is almost serene. "Absolutely nothing. I just wanted to say that I'm really sorry, Bella."

"Why are you apologizing?" I ask, bemused.

"For everything. For all the things I've done that may have caused you pain. For everything I never had the guts to do or say," he murmurs with heavy green eyes. "For all that junk you brought up when you were yelling at me. I've made a mess of our friendship. I haven't been fair to you at all, but it's only because I'm incredibly selfish. I've never been able to let you go. There was a time I thought I had, but when I saw you again after all that time, there it was. That feeling you give me. It hit me like lightening all over again.

"I tried and tried to make myself numb to it, but you are one tough habit to break. I should know; it nearly killed me the first time," he says with a huge sigh. "It is utterly impossible to fall out of love with you, Beller Swan." He chuckles quietly as his eyes close completely.

I clutch my chest to keep my heart from shattering as tears burn my eyes. Edward's breathing slows to a steady rhythm, and I know he's gone, dead to the world.

Sighing, I put my head in my hands, rubbing the salty moisture from my eyes. "I love you, too, you friggin' moron." My declaration, as well as my insult, gets lost in the resounding silence.

I get up and walk to Edward's side of the couch, pushing him over until he falls onto his side. Placing a pillow under his head, I grab a throw blanket from the loveseat and drape it over him. Before heading to bed, I place a glass of water on the table beside him and put the vodka back in the freezer.

I know he'll need time to process what's happened and to mourn the loss of the relationship he poured his heart into, no matter what Anna did or how vile she is. I'll be here if he's ready to talk about things in the morning when he's sober. And if he's not, I'll be here still.

At 7:00 AM, after a fitful night's sleep, I drag myself out of bed to put on a strong pot of coffee. I don't expect him to be gone when I walk into the living room, but he is. The blanket and pillow are in a neat stack at the end of the couch, and there's a note lying on the coffee table. I pick it up, sighing at the scrawled message.

I'm sorry. I need time.

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By Monday, I still haven't heard from Edward. No one has. No calls, no texts. Even Jasper hasn't heard from him since the all-day binge drinking session on Friday that led Edward to my apartment. He's wounded, I know, and embarrassed at having been played so thoroughly by Anna. Knowing him, he's gone somewhere and crawled inside his head. I don't know when he'll come back around, but today, I have something bigger on my mind.

Today, I'm going to ruin my boss's life.

Ben and I spoke at length last night, and I told him about my copies of everything Weinstein has done. My computer is loaded with the proof of his embezzlement and, along with Ben's absolute proof of identity with the detailed information of the bank account that holds over thirty G's of Voss Butler's money, we are going to nail this prick to the wall.

I stroll into work a new me. It feels sort of strange that nothing has changed since last Friday. It's business as usual as I make my way through the office. My co-workers stroll past me, greeting me with hurried hellos as they usually do on a busy Monday morning. It's me. I'm different. I'm the one who's changed.

"Morning, Bella. Did you see the bagels in the break room? I tucked a cinnamon raisin one aside just for you," Bob says with a smile that puts a thousand creases in his ancient face.

I smile and thank him, taking a seat at my desk. I'm going to miss that guy.

Quickly, because I know I don't have much time, I power up my computer, take out my phone, and forward the bank info that Ben sent me last night to my work email. I also forward the draft of the letter I wrote, explaining everything to the heads of the company. I combine them, attaching the spreadsheets to the letter, and hit send.

Now, all that's left to do is sit back and wait.

Not two minutes later, the phone at my desk rings, and adrenaline begins coursing through me. "Bella Swan," I answer.

"Bella, come to my office now, please," Weinstein says, and I hang up without responding.

Before I go, I look around to see if there's anything I should take with me. I know I won't be back here, and aside from my coffee mug, nothing here is mine. Somehow, it only makes what I have to do easier, and I take a deep breath. There's no turning back now.

I stride into Weinstein's office and take a seat in the chair across from him, crossing my legs.

"I think we both know why you're here, Bella," Weinstein says, peering at me over his glasses as he shuffles through a stack of papers.

My gaze doesn't falter in the slightest. "Yes, I think we do."

Actually, Weinstein doesn't know the half of what I've just done, but that's okay. He'll find out soon.

"I'm going to cut to the chase. You're being let go today. It's called a termination of convenience. In your contract, the clause is defined as a departure that is suitable to the needs of our company. You'll walk out of here today quietly with eighteen month's severance and, of course, all your earned paid time off." His steel grey stare holds as he waits for me to respond, but I don't. "I'm being very generous with you, Swan. You don't know what you saw; you have no proof of anything; I simply want you to go away. As soon as you sign these forms, agreeing to the terms of your departure, we'll—"

"Fuck you."

Weinstein pauses, raising his brows. "Be very careful what you say to me right now. I will not hesitate—"

"Fuck. You. And fuck your termination of convenience. I don't want your money, Weinstein. I quit. You think I'm just going to walk away from this and allow you to keep screwing this company over the way you screwed me over every day for the last 4 years?"

"You know nothing. Not a goddamn thing."

"I know more than you think, Phillip. I know the date of every single transaction you've made, I know the details of the bank account you used, and I know all about James. And now, every higher-up in this company knows about it too. You're fucked."

His face is red, his beady eyes wide. "Get out of my office. Leave this building now before I call the cops."

Three sharp knocks on the door startle Weinstein, and I smile at him. "I'm sure someone else will be happy to take care of that for you."

The door opens, ushering in Victoria, the head of Human Relations, along with Mr. Voss, Mr. Butler, and a sharply dressed detective. Whoa, that was fast. CEOs and the fuzz?

"Thank you, Bella. Please wait for me in my office; I'll be in shortly," Victoria says, her eyes on ol' Phil. Oh, how I wish I could stay.

Ben is already in her office when I arrive, and he jumps out of his seat to catch me just as my knees give out. Holy hell, my head is spinning. After a few deep, steadying breaths and some crazed laughter from us both, Ben and I hug it out.

"We did it," I say in a daze.

"You did it, Bella. I only wish I would've looked at things sooner for you." He releases me and we each take a seat in the hard plastic chairs. "So, you're really gonna quit?"

Smiling, I nod. I've never been so sure of anything in my life. "Yeah, I think it's time. Besides, I couldn't possibly do any more damage here."

Ben laughs, shaking his head. "You'll be missed, but your legacy will live on forever; I'll make sure of it. That is, if they don't find some reason to can me first." Ben is worried for good reason. His girlfriend is just over seven months pregnant.

When Victoria walks in with the detective, Ben and I quickly straighten up. After giving lengthy statements, Detective Mora leaves, and Victoria turns the focus to our respective places within the company. She lets us know both our jobs are safe, and Ben is visibly relieved. After he, too, is dismissed, I thank Victoria for the offer, but reinstate my immediate resignation. She assures me Weinstein and James will never be back, and there's no reason to feel threatened by anyone anymore, but I'm not interested.

"I'm sorry to leave so abruptly. I know it's bad form, but I really think it's best. I need to take some time off, do a little internal rearranging. Maybe I'll go back to school and finally get my MBA."

I've never thought much about my options outside the company, but my bank account is loaded with all the money I've saved by not having a life, and it's time I start building the one I want to live.

Victoria's smile is full of pride. "Thank you for your service to this company, Bella. I know you'll do great things, wherever you find yourself."

I thank her and let her know she or the detective can call me if they need anything else. We stand and shake hands, and she sees me to the door.

I think I'm in shock, but my subconscious continues to lead the way out. Just as the elevator doors close, I hear the pounding of feet on the hollow floors and someone shouting for Victoria. But even that doesn't pull me out of my haze.

When I next think to look up, I'm outside with the rain on my face. Rounding the building, I walk into the parking garage and head toward my car. Any second now, I expect an adrenaline crash to thwart my superwoman complex, but my blood continues to zing through my veins. It's a good thing, too, because James steps out from behind the Jeep parked next to my car, putting himself directly in my path.

Before my heart can take another beat, he's in my face. Roughly grabbing my upper arms, he pulls me between the two vehicles, out of view.

"Do you have any idea what you just did?"

He's crushing me against the side of the Jeep, and I can feel each one of his fingers pressing into my arms, down to the bone. His hot breath at my ear makes me shiver. It also revitalizes me with a whole new supply of adrenaline.

"Get off me," I growl in a voice that isn't mine and, using the Jeep for leverage, I bring my knee hard into his groin. Before he can even gasp for air, I grab James's hand and incapacitate him using only his thumb. Alice dragged me to a self-defense class two years ago, and later, I will thank her profusely.

Maybe.

My palms are slick with sweat, and my grasp on James slips. I let out a blood curdling scream and manage to take three whole strides in the opposite direction when a hand wraps around my neck from behind. James slams me onto the hood of my own car, throwing himself on top of me and pinning me with his full weight. I open my mouth in search of my next breath, but his grip has cut off all access to air.

"You will pay for this, Bella. In fact, we're going to get out of here together right now, just you and me," he says, his lips moving against mine as he speaks. He's turned on by this. I can feel his erection against my hip, and I want to die.

His grip around my throat tightens, and I surrender my last ounce of strength to the struggle as spots cloud my vision. Then, out of nowhere, a life raft gets tossed my way.

"Police! Get your hands up!"

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Thanks for reading, everyone! I know it's a hard storyline to get on board with, but I hope you're enjoying it. I want to thank everyone who's taken the time to write a review. I really take to heart all the thoughtful, good-spirited criticism. I've enjoyed having the opportunity to have some really great discussions with a few of you about the flaws in these characters. No one's perfect, and there's no age limit on making mistakes or finding out who you really are. I, for one, hope I never stop coming of age :)

Thanks to my beta, Alice's White Rabbit. You really are a pillar of knowledge, and I'm glad to call you my friend.

Until next week, goodnight and God bless!

xoxo,

AshesAshes