A/N: This is the new chapter! I will be replacing it with the edited chapter from my beta soon. I tried my best to edit it on my own for now because I didn't want you all to wait so long for this chapter! There are some good moments here. I think there are parts where you see that their love can't be easily extinguished. Just remember that Edward and Bella have an epic love! It will be full of highs and lows. Thank you for all the amazing reviews for the last chapter! It helped me so much by just knowing what you think. It helps me to write a better story. Keep those reviews coming in! And if you ever want to discuss this fanfic with me, send me a message!

1 month later

Edward made sure that he was busier than ever before. He was never home and he was always traveling to Europe for business. He couldn't bare to be around Bella if he couldn't touch her, or love her anymore. He knew that he needed to be away, so that he could forget about what they had. He was also very aware of the fact that Jacob would probably use this as an opportunity to get closer to Bella and there was not a damn thing he could do about it.
He was on his way home from JFK. He was in Germany for the last two weeks. It was the tail end of his European work trip. He looked at his reflection in the window of the town car that was just about to enter the tunnel that connected Queens to the city. He now had a lot of stubble on his face. It looked as if he was starting to grow a beard and his eyes were red from all the alcohol he had been drinking lately. He just wanted to numb the pain.

He sat back against the seat and rolled his head back. Was it really all over? All those months were for nothing? He wasn't someone who gave up so easily. He wanted to prove to her that he was worthy of her love, but he didn't know if it was too late.

Bella knew that Edward would be back soon, but she didn't know if she was ready to see him. She felt an aching in her heart every day that went by without him. It was as if Edward was a vital part of her and without him it was hard to function. She wasn't ready to see anyone else. She knew that if she did that then their marriage would seem too fake to outsiders, especially ones like Edwin. How could she even be with anyone else when she was convinced just a month ago that Edward was her soulmate and love of her life? Everything was so tragic.
Bella was sitting in the lounge watching an old black and white movie, titled It Happened One Night. She heard the front door close and then she heard footsteps approach her. She turned her head around and saw a very dishevelled looking Edward. It looked as if he hadn't slept in days and that he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. She felt her heart beat faster like a hummingbird. In front of her was the man who had heartlessly used her. The one she would always hate. The one she would always love. Edward froze and stared at Bella. He wasn't expecting her to be sitting in the lounge. It was one thing to tell himself that they could never be together when she wasn't around, but it was another thing to see her in the flesh. She looked thinner than he remembered. Her brown eyes were lifeless and it looked like she hadn't slept in days. In a way they were mirrors of each other. Without their love holding them together they were falling apart.
"Bella.." he said, trying to keep the emotion out of his voice.
He was good at pretending and holding it all in. He wouldn't let her see how this was affecting him.
She sat up straighter on the black, leather couch. Bella wasn't good at hiding her emotions like Edward. Her feelings could be seen on every inch of her beautiful face.
"You're back," she said, refusing to seem relieved.
At least she could hide something. It wouldn't be fair if Edward knew exactly how she felt.
"Yeah I am," Edward said casually.
"I'll go to my room," She said quickly.
"It's fine you can stay here Bella. I'll leave."
Bella looked at him. She had started to forget how he looked. She started to commit his beautiful green eyes to her memory again. She bit down on her lip.
"Is that It Happened One Night?" He asked.
"Yes it is. I'm trying to watch more old movies. This one is funny."
"It is funny. Black and white movies are good to watch. It takes you to another world," he said.
"Exactly. It's good to be in another world sometimes. Everything was so much purer back then."
Bella and Edward paused and looked at each other. They had forgotten how easy it was to talk to each other. They had forgotten that they had a few things in common.
Edward nodded his head and then turned on his heel to head to his room. That had gone by easier than he expected. He didn't even think she would talk to him. Bella was always surprising him, but he also knew that the calm couldn't last for too long. Sooner or later her utter despisement of him would come out, but she was here and somehow it soothed the ache

Edward took out an invitation for an important GQ event being held later on that night. The press would expect him to show up with Bella at the event. He literally had everything he wanted. He should have been happy about it. They would have to put on a show tonight and act like they were in love. A part of him was ready to play the charade because he could pretend that they were still together. For a few hours he would believe that lie. He had screwed up to the point of no return. How would it ever be possible for Bella to forgive him? How did you even begin to earn love and trust again once you've lost it? He walked out of his room and headed down the stairs to Bella's room. They were married and they had separate rooms. It was a joke. Edward knocked on Bella's door and waited for her to open it.

"I don't know if I can go anywhere tonight Jake.. I know, I know I haven't been out since forever, but I just - yes I understand that. I'll see you in class on Monday. Bye." Bella said speaking fast.

Edward heard the last of her conversation with Jacob. He would have assumed she would have been out every night with him since he left, so he was surprised at what he heard. He didn't have too much time to think as Bella pulled the door open and looked at him. She was wearing black pajama pants and a grey hoodie. He wondered why she was ready for bed at 6 pm.

"Um what do you want?" She asked.
He took the invitation and gave it to her. She took it from him and scanned it quickly.
"Do you want me to go with you?" She asked sounding unsure.
"Yes I do. They'll be expecting us to go together. We will have to act like a happily married couple."
Bella looked away from Edward. It hurt her to know that the only happiness they could have together would be fake and for show.
"Do you think it's possible for us to act happy? I will go with you. I don't want people to know the truth."
Edward avoided looking at her. Was it even possible for either of them to feel happy anymore?
"Why not? I'm surprised you're not joining Edwin and the others. Why go along with the charade? and I don't know if we can truly act happy, but we can try."
Bella shook her head and took a small step back. Had he not asked her the same question at their wedding?
"And will that unbreak my heart Edward? Will destroying you change things for me? It won't. I don't believe in doing things like that. I gave you my reasons at our wedding, or did you forget? Maybe you had too much fun in Europe to remember that," she said sounding a bit hurt and angry.

"I don't understand you at times. You really think that little of me, don't you? That I'm such a monster," he said sounding angry now.

"I'm done fighting with you Edward. Just go get ready, so we can got to this thing and get it over and done with,"she said talking fast.

She quickly shut the door. She leaned against it and then took a deep breath and exhaled. Why did he have the ability to do that to her? He brought up all the ugly emotions inside of her. He made her feel like this weak person. It wasn't like she could escape him. They were in the same damn house. Why couldn't she be free of him? Would she ever truly be free from Edward? It was like he had this strong hold on her and there was no escaping it. He didn't understand how much she had cared about him at one point. She still cares about him, but she'll realize that soon enough.
***

Bella and Edward arrived at the event that was being held at a rooftop bar in Chelsea. It had been booked exclusively for GQ and there were white lanterns all over the banisters. There were also white lounge chairs spread around evenly and the DJ was playing techno sounding music. It was the kind of event that brought out all the coolest New Yorkers. Bella was holding Edward's hand as they walked towards a few people he worked with. He gave her hand a squeeze and looked into her beautiful, brown eyes. Bella almost forgot they were pretending and that Edward had completely destroyed her. He let go of her hand once they were close enough to his co-workers.
"If it isn't the happy married couple," Edward's assistant said, sounding happy for Bella and Edward.
Bella smiled at the brunette who was wearing hipster glasses. If only she know the truth.
"Hello to you too Jennifer." Edward said, sounding as charming as ever.
Bella felt out of place as usual whenever she was at these events. It always made her feel young and inferior compared to Edward. She use to put up with it because they were in love, or at least she was in love with him, but now that she couldn't hold onto that delusion, she felt frustrated.
"I need to get a drink. It was nice to see you Jennifer." Bella said politely as she excused herself.
Edward gave her a questioning look, but she ignored it as she made her way to the bar.

A investment banker was sitting at the bar. He turned his head to see a beautiful girl sitting next to him. He smirked as he turned to face her. Bella could feel someone looking at her. She turned her head to see the man staring at her. He was average looking ( he couldn't even be compared to Edward) To Bella to man could ever look as good as Edward. He had green eyes and golden brown hair. He seemed a bit older than Edward.
"Drinking alone?" He asked.
Bella didn't really want to be hit on, but it wasn't like there was anyone else to talk to.
"It looks like you're doing the same thing,"she said quickly.
He laughed as he picked up a glass of whiskey and took a sip from it.
"You're right about that. I somehow got an invite to this thing, so I decided to show up. It's boring, but it looks like it's getting better" He commented as he looked at Bella's cleavage that was visible because of the low V neck, chiffon blue dress she was wearing.
Bella felt a bit uncomfortable.
"And um why is it getting better?" She asked.
"What the hell Bella? That's flirty. Stop."She told herself mentally.
"Because I got to meet a beautiful girl like you. Why don't we go somewhere more private?" He asked.

He moved his hand to Bella's knee and squeezed it suggestively. Bella froze. This was not what she wanted happening tonight.

"I suggest you take your hand off my wife's knee before I throw you off this rooftop and you plunge to your much deserved death." Bella heard a very angry and smooth sounding voice say.
That was so typical. Edward showing up to defend her. However Bella wasn't about to complain because she did not want to be felt up by some creepy old guy.

"I wasn't aware that she was married," the man said quickly.

He took one look at the murderous look in Edward's emerald eyes and he got up and practically ran away. Bella sighed and then looked at Edward.
"Thank you.." she said.
"You're thanking me? I thought you were enjoying it, but you can't embarrass me like that at work related events Bella. You need to be more discreet," Edward said softly.
Bella didn't understand. How could he think she would want someone like that? Or that she would be that stupid? She got up to her feet and looked into Edward's eyes.
"How could you say something like that? I felt disgusted when he touched me."
"Don't mess around with me now Bella. Don't flirt with another guy in front of me and expect me not to react,"he said sternly.
"Other than embarrassing you why do you care? It's not like you love me."
Edward noticed a few people nearby looking at them and whispering. He slipped his hand into Bella's and began to pull her away from the crowd and out of the rooftop terrace. The two were now standing where the elevators were. They were finally alone. Bella forcibly pulled her hand out of his.
"People were watching us. I don't know what kind of deep rooted insecurities you have about people loving you, but you can't let that blind you from seeing that what I felt about you was real. We're always focused on what my problems are sweetheart, but I realized that you have problems too. You're so insecure that you refuse to believe that I ever loved you," he said sounding serious.
Bella shook her head. She felt like Edward had analyzed her soul. She felt tears form into her eyes because he was right. She didn't believe that anyone could ever truly love her.

"Don't analyze me like that Edward! You have no right to do that. If you knew I was so insecure why did you do this to me? I don't understand. I can never understand how you could do something so heartless. I wanted to believe in you. I wanted to believe the words you said to me, "she said, letting her walls down briefly.

"Don't turn this back around on me again. We have been through this already. This is about you refusing to believe for one second that I could have loved you, or that I still love you. You said I had fun in Europe, but do you know that there wasn't one day that went by where I didn't think about you and what I had done?"

"And do you think I was any happier Edward, or that I didn't think about you? I want to believe you, but my heart just won't let me. It just won't!" She said sadly.

She shoved him slightly with whatever little strength she had left.

"I want to hate you," she whispered,
"You should," he said sounding choked up with emotion.

He stroked the side of her face gently. She closed her eyes and didn't move for a few seconds. Edward looked at her tender looking lips. He wanted to crush his lips against hers. He found himself leaning in towards her lips. He was inches away from kissing her, but he knew that he didn't deserve to kiss her. Bella opened her eyes quickly. She noticed how close he was to her. She couldn't be this close to him because if she was he would consume her. He quickly took a step back and Bella looked at him.

"We should go back inside," Bella said, trying to act like the almost kiss never happened.
Edward nodded his head. He needed a good, stiff drink and maybe he'd be able to get through the night.