Disclaimer: Twilight isn't mine. But my new Christian Bale poster on my wall sure is mine. Haha. All right, this chapter is drama-galore and it is sad. But this NEEDS to happen. Remember I still love you guys and this isn't meant to torture you.

Previously:

Looking up, I was greeted by the last person I wanted to see at the moment.

"Hello Isabella." The voice sneered; my body froze.

"Hello Jessica."

"So how are you these days," she asked walking in as though she owned the damn place, and sat down to in the seat in front of me.

" You know I'm doing great. I was over at the Cullen's house last night; Emmett suggested we go camping in the backyard," I wanted to push a few buttons and show her that what she had said to be that night didn't give her the satisfaction she wanted.

Her strained faced told me I did exactly that, "How lovely. That Emmett always thinks of the strangest things to do, but what are we going to do, it is Emmett."

"Oh I know. What things have you guys ever done together?" Like Emmett would actually want to spend 'quality time' with someone like her.

"Oh, stuff you know. Stuff," she stuttered," Stuff like, like Emmett stuff."

How many times can a person say 'stuff' in a single statement?

"Sure, sure."

"Yeah, so… anyways. I came here to check on the cake, remember."

"Certainly. How could I not?" I walked over to get my sketchbook on the counter; I had added some details and color after I had showed to Alice.

When I flipped open the book, the look on her face was priceless. She was stunned; I guess she was hoping I would have made some screw up. I took pride in this; it was pretty hard to wipe the smirk on my face before she would see it.

And what was even funnier was when she tried to say something; she opened her mouth, once, twice, three, even four times until she actually said something,

"Uhh." And I was pretty sure that wasn't even considered something articulate.

"So I'm assuming you like it?" I said smugly.

"Yeah, well," she narrowed her eyes at me, "So how much did you get Karen draw this out?"

"I did all this," I said, flashing her a smile.

"Well, no wonder it looks so unprofessional, the colors completely broke the original color scheme and the monograms don't look so …er..cursively either. "

Cursively?

"That's strange. You know, Alice being a professional designer and such, she would know exactly what colors would look best and what wouldn't. I mean, after all that is her job, to know how to match colors and whatnot. Unless you are saying you don't trust her judgment. I'll tell her about changing it." This was just the satisfaction I deserved.

"Keep your mouth shut Swan. The colors are fine, I don't need Alice's going off on me," she snapped at me

"Do you want to go in the back and taste the different cake samples?" I asked, even if I couldn't stand her. She was still a customer and I would never want to bring down Billy and Karen's name like that, if I were to mistreat her.

"Whatever. I don't have time for this. I should be going dress shopping right now. But Edward insisted I check on the cake and other things. Ugh." Damn Edward.

How tragic, checking up on your own wedding cake. God forbid her from doing work.

We walked to the back of the bakery and then I heard a sudden shriek, I whirled around to see Jessica covered in flour from head to toe.

"What the hell?!" she began shrieking, so this how she sounded when she shrieked. Poor Edward.

My poor ears.

Curses were flying out of her mouth and when I walked closer to help her she just slapped my hand away,

"I don't need your help. This is all your fault, you led me back here so I could get covered with flour." Que more screeching.

"I'm sorry. Here let me go get you an extra shirt," I walked over to the shelf and grabbed the extra shirts we kept for accidents like these.

I held the shirt out to her, which she snatched from my hand; her fake acrylic nails scratching my hand.

She turned around and started to peel her-now flour-covered-shirt and I audibly gasped.

At the small of her back was a tattoo, of two small hummingbirds, that same tattoo was like an image engraved in my mind. It was the same tattoo on the girl with Jacob.

I quickly walked back to the table and noticed Jessica's Blackberry indicating she had received a test. I looked over at the phone, I swear I never meant to read it; the message was just flashed across the screen and my eyes read it by themselves.

I'll be over at your house later baby. Work is being a pain; but I know you can always take care of that.

I tensed up, I didn't get to see the number, but I was sure that message wasn't from Edward. He never worked on Saturdays and besides he loved his job, he does his favorite thing for a living. I highly doubted he would ever call work a 'pain." He adored his students.

Could that be another guy? Could it still be Jacob?

She was cheating on Edward that was it. The tattoo and that text message was all I needed.

That was my final proof, no need to deny it anymore. I grabbed the sketches and pretended I was editing them when Jessica returned wearing the clean shirt.

I had no idea how I had gotten Jessica to finally choose on a flavor and finish of the final details, I needed her to leave soon.

I needed to process everything through.

She had finally left, but not before saying something foul about me. I was too distracted to even notice.

My mind was spinning and I finally felt the stab at my heart, I needed to tell Edward. That was final. He could still marry her if he chose to do so, but he needed to know whom exactly he was planning on spending the rest of his life with.

I needed to formulate a way I would tell him, I needed to tell Rose and Alice but I didn't even get the chance to.

I jumped when I heard the store door open and there stood Edward standing.

Oh just shoot me in the foot right now.

Not really.

I couldn't believe I was saying this, but I really didn't want to see Edward right now. I had thought Jessica was the last person I wanted to see.

I guess Edward topped that.

Through my peripheral view I saw him gracefully walk over to me, I looked up at him and masked my emotions. But of course he saw right through me,

"Bella, what's wrong? Are you okay? Did someone hurt you? Bella talk to me," he rushed, he cared so much about me. It brought a whole new wave of emotions pass through me.

"I'm fine, honest. Just tired," I excused.

"Bella tell me."
"No, really I am. I'm just stressed out; I've got so many orders to fill. I'm buried with designs to draw and appointments I need to arrange."

He must have believed me, since he didn't push the issue any further. I hated lying to him though.

"Well, clearly that means you deserve a break. Come with me, I've got to run an errand and I was wondering if you'd help me," his crooked smile coming out to play.

How could I possibly resist him?

Edward was undeniably irresistible.

"Fine. Let me get my jacket."

He smirked at him; I don't even know why he even bothered asking.

I could never say no to him.

And he was well aware of that.

-

-

Edward parallel parked his car and rushed over to my door to open the door, I zoned out that I didn't bother protesting.

We were on Leslie Rose Avenue, it was a street filled with small boutiques, vintage stores, and an amazing bookstore. I came here often when I had to get some of my shopping done; it wasn't over crowded like the mall and everyone practically knew me.

Edward and I began walking done the street passing a few shops; I had asked him where we were going, but of course didn't get an answer.

"I hope you don't mind me dragging you out, but work can wait right now," he told me. "Plus, no one wanted to come along with me. And I knew you could never deny me."

If only he knew how true his words were.

"Why didn't anyone want to come with you? I mean, I'm guessing we're going shopping and I'm surprised Alice and Rosalie chose to pass off the chance."

He stopped and I twirled back to face him, "Because they weren't in the mood to go wedding ring shopping with me."

Edward pointed to the store my back was facing; my heart plummeted to the ground, I slowly turned around and sure enough the jewelry store was staring back at me.

Edward must have not been paying attention, because he was holding the door for me and waiting for me to walk in.

Somehow, by the will of God, my legs began to move on their own accord.

I walked in and stared at all the rings in the glass box, their diamonds reflecting in the light, casting rainbows all over the store.

I heard Edward's voice; he was talking with the storekeeper. She was an elderly woman with a kind face standing behind the counter.

"Hello darlings. How may I help?" She asked getting up and walking towards Edward and me. She was barely five feet tall, but seemed like a nice older lady. She instantly reminded me of my grandmother

"Hello, my name is Edward and this is Bella," he gestured to me," We're looking for a wedding ring and we were hoping we would be able to find one here," Edward's smooth voice replied back.

"My name is Rosa, as you can see." She gave a small laugh,"And first let me say, congratulations. You two look perfect together. When's the wedding?"

.God.

She thinks Edward and I are getting married. Well of course she would, two young people walking in a jewelry store, looking for a wedding ring.

It seemed possible, but was way impossible.

I had to hold back the tears when Edward began explaining to her that I wasn't the one he was marrying, I was merely 'a close friend'. It wasn't that he said it in a rude or hurtful way, like marrying me would disgust him. But no matter how he put it, it was still painful to hear.

You couldn't tell who was more embarrassed from the three of us, my cheeks flushed with red, Edward was awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck, and Rosa was fumbling with her scarf around her shoulders.

Edward cleared his throat, "I brought Bella with me because I needed a second opinion and it would be better to have a girl's insight. Right Bella." He looked at me for the first time since we walked in the store.

"Er…yes. I'm just here to help." My voice sounding hoarse, that damn lump in my throat just wouldn't go away.

The awkwardness never faded, but we all just pretended it had passed away and was forgotten.

Rosa was a sweetest person I had ever met, her heart was filled with kindness and care. I was tempted to come back to visit her some day and explain to her everything, she seemed like someone I could easily open up to.

Edward pointed out a ring that was amazing gorgeously.

It was a 14k white gold diamond wedding band with 7 brilliant round diamonds. I nearly died when Edward slipped the band on my finger.

"Magnificently beautiful," Edward quietly muttered. "What do you think Bella?"

"It's perfect."

"Perfect indeed." Edward said looking at me his eyes filled with an unfamiliar fire blazing in them, I blushed furiously at his intense gaze.

I couldn't take his compliments at the moment; I didn't even deserve them. Not after I soon going to tell him the truth about Jessica.

---

I wanted to go home, but Edward insisted that I go over to his house. According to him, Esme had missed me and wanted to see me terribly. I loved Esme so much that I decided that it would be rude of me if I didn't go and visit her. Even if all I wanted to do was go home and bury myself under my sheets for the rest of eternity.

The car ride back to the mansion was quiet, and I'm glad it was. I needed to tell Edward, but I just couldn't.

Every time I opened my mouth, my mouth went dry and my brain went blank.

I mean how do you break the news to the man that who considers you his best friend and you're madly in love with that his fiancée has been cheating on him for a while now.

I didn't even notice we had already reached the house until I felt Edward's hand on my shoulder, I jumped I response.

"Bella, what is wrong? You've been unusually jumpy all day."

"No, you just scared me that's all. " He didn't believe, so I quickly added, "Let's go. I'm dying to see Esme."

We walked in through the front door and Edward took my jacket from my hands and hung it on the rack.

"Esme, I have someone who's here to see you," Edward called, but no one answered. I followed Edward into the kitchen and we say that Esme had left a note in her elegant handwriting,

My children,

I went out to pick up the fabric that came for me. I will be home soon, I made brownies for Emmett; they are in the oven. Treat yourselves and leave a few for your father. You know how much he enjoys his sweets

Love Mom

I smiled at the note; Esme just had that motherly feel that made you instantly love her.

Would she hate me once I told her son about Jessica, will she blame me for her only son's happiness?

Telling Edward.

How would I? Do I even have the strength to tell him, and I didn't want to have Alice or Rosalie tell him because I didn't want to wreck their love for one another. I couldn't break their family's happiness.

Whatever name Edward would call me and whatever he will say to me once I tell him, I deserve it. I don't deserve to have him as a friend.

But if he truly meant what he said yesterday and at the shop, then maybe he wouldn't hate me.

Maybe he'd be relieved that I saved him from marrying a girl who was unfaithful to him. Maybe he would side with me and I would never lose him.

"Bella!" Edward practically shouted.

"Huh, sorry." Damnit, how many times has he been calling my name?

"Bella, I will ask you one more time and I want a real answer. What is going on? Don't give me some lame ass excuse you are tired. Something is wrong and I want to know now." His voice told me that I'd better not make up another lie; it was time to fess up.

Here I am about to risk everything I have with Edward with what I am about to confess to him,

"You cannot marry Jessica," my voice quivered.

"Excuse me," Edward's voice shocked at what I had just said.

"You heard me, Edward. Don't let me repeat, but I will. You cannot marry her." My voice coming out stronger this time.

"And why the hell not? You know, I thought it was bad enough having my sisters hating her, but you do? Bella, how could you? You are supposed to be my best friend."

"I am only saying this because I am your best friend. She is cheating on you Edward, she has been," I said forcefully.

"So this is who a best friend should act, telling the other that the person they love is a fake? Making up lies about Jessica, what else have you lied about?"

"Edward," I said calmly," I'm not lying. I never have lied to you. I could never lie to you."

"Bella you're just wasting your time. Save your breath."

"You need to believe me. You have to trust me."

"Trust you," he laughed bitterly. "I bet the whole Jacob thing was a lie too."

That hit one hit below the belt.

"Go ahead Edward, marry that said excuse of a girl. Have a lovely life together." I yelled.

"I love her and I will be waiting for her at the alter; you can cancel your reservation. I'm sure it's not to late."

"Then cross my name off the list."

"Bella, I think you need to leave now. There's nothing else left between us." He spoke the words slowly and precisely, his cold eye on my face, watching as I absorbed what he was saying.

"Well, that changes things." I was surprised by how calm and reasonable my voice sounded. I guess it must be because of the numbness spreading across my body.

I had one more thing to tell him, "One last thing Edward, you are making the biggest mistake of your life-."

He cut me off," Marrying Jessica will not be a mistake."

"No, you may not think so. However, letting me walk out right now will be. Not only am I walking out of that door, but you can consider this me walking out of your life as well."

I turned around and grabbed my coat and bumped into Esme on the way out. I barely could make her out; I didn't even notice the tears flowing.

"Bella, dear!'' Esme's soft voice called to me, "What is wrong?"

"Nothing, I'm sorry Esme. I need to go now."

I pushed out of the way and ran down the porch, tripping but caught my self with the rail.

It then struck me that I had no way to go home, but I decided home wasn't exactly where I wanted to go at the moment.

So I ran.

I kept running, falling down a few times ripping my jeans until my knees were scraped up and bleeding. But I was too numb to even care.

I finally made it to the beach, the beach was where I used to go to think things out and clear my mind.

I sat down near the shore and allowed to gray water wash over my legs. The air smelt like salt and rain, the sun was beginning to set.

It was twilight.

"What's your favorite time of the day?" I asked that night when I first came over to dinner and spent to rest of the night in his room talking.

"Definitely twilight. It's the end of another day, but soon the beginning on another. It's bittersweet in a way." Edward said wistfully.

My heart ached, sobs began to rack my body and the tears I thought I had ran out of began to shed all over again.

I pulled my Ipod of my coat pocket and pressed shuffle.

I nearly laughed at the irony of the song, Like a Knife by Secondhand Serenade began to play,

Cause today, you walked out of my life

Cause today, your words felt like a knife

I'm not living this life

Goodbyes are meant for lonely people standing in the rain

And no matter where I go it's always pouring all the same

These streets are filled with memories

Both perfect and in pain

And all I wanna do is love you

But I'm the only one to blame

Edward's words felt like a knife and hurt me like no other. My heart did feel like it does right now, the way it did when I found Jacob with Jessica.

Jessica.

Not only did she ruin my relationship with Jacob, but I lost all that I had with Edward as well.

Edward.

Edward was gone now.

Out of my life, but it was for the betterment of everyone.

The only regret I had, was never telling him how much I loved him.