Chapter Twenty-One

Tonight was the night of the Christmas Ball. I was excited and nervous at the same time. We were having it at The Zahn Event Center at the Manor. I glanced at myself in the mirror I looked beautiful. I wore a silver A-line dress. It clung to every curve on my body. A halter style dress with matching heels. I made sure to wear my new necklace, earrings and bracelet Edward got me. My hair was pulled back but curly. I was ready to go.

"Bella the limo is here." Emmett yelled.

"Coming."

Quickly I grabbed my clutch and headed down the stairs where my parents and Emmett waited. I was excited to have fun. I knew in a few days I would have to return to Italy. And to be honest I didn't want to.

As we arrived there was already a valet waiting and lots of people were arriving. This was my first ball. I was quite nervous. Slowly climbing out of the limo I headed inside with my family. I spotted Alice and Rose right away.

"Bella you look beautiful." Rose said smiling.

"Thanks you do too."

"What the…" Alice muttered.

"What?"

Before Alice could say a word I turned around to see Edward enter the room with a woman I didn't know. He was laughing and smiling. All the things he used to do with me. I froze. I felt like I wasn't going to burst into tears. But I was an idiot. An idiot to think after so long he would want anything to do with me. He obviously doesn't.

"Bella…"

"I need a drink." I said.

I stormed off to the drink station as Edward was approaching us with his date. I stormed right by not giving him the slightest glance. And worst of all he would be at my table with her. Great. I could tell this was going to be a long night.

"What can I get you miss?"

"Gin and tonic please." I said.

I stood patiently as the bar tender poured my drink. "Here you are miss." I grabbed my drink gulping it down before I headed to my table. Edward was already dancing and smiling with this woman I didn't know.

"Bella are you ok?" Alice asked taking a seat next to me.

"Sure. Even though I am watching the love of my life smile and be happy with someone else sure." I said gulping down more of my drink.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be I'm the idiot." I said.

"How?"

"Because I am the idiot that didn't fight harder. I'm the idiot that thought after four years he might still have some feelings for me on more than friends but once again I'm dumb." I said.

"Bella, that's not…"

"Just drop it." I said.

I made sure to leave the table every chance I got when Edward and his date would come toward me. I didn't want to meet her. I didn't want to know her. All I knew was she better appreciate what she has. Because Edward is an amazing person. A person I wish I had.

As I attempted to walk back to my table my arm was grasped. "Lets dance." I froze when I heard that voice. Jacob. What was he doing here? I did what he asked. We joined the many other couples on the dance floor. I glanced around no one was looking at me. They were too busy.

"So you think you've won this battle? This is far from over." Jacob snarled next to my ear.

I headed over to Edward's table. I knew my sister was upset since Edward had a date with him. "hey guys." I said.

"Hey Emmett. Emmett this is my date Alexis." Edward said.

"Nice to meet you. Any of you seen my sister?"

"No, she's been avoiding me all night I don't know why." Edward said.

It took everything in me not to laugh. Was he serious? Edward is my best friend but sometimes I think he is a complete idiot. Like now. There were so many people here I couldn't see her in the crowd. Where was she?

"EMMETT"

I glanced up to see Rose running toward us. Once reaching our table she was breathing heavly. "Rose what's going on baby?" I asked worried.

"It's Bella. She looked freightened and I didn't know why. I thought she was dancing with one of you until I saw who it was. Jacob. Jacob is here and from what it looks like he is forcing Bella to dance with him." Rose panted.

"That sonofabitch." I snarled.

"Excuse me Alexis. Let's go Emmett." Edward said.

I knew I could always count on Edward. Especially when it came to my sister. I just wished he wasn't so stupid when it came to their situation but he was. I wish he would just tell her he was still in love with her then maybe she would tell him she still loves him and they can both be happy. We can all be happy.

I glanced up to see Edward and Emmett storming toward us. Thank god. Jacob gripped my waist tighter. "No one will save you from me." Jacob snarled. "Oh, I see your brother and Edward are coming to your aide. So one more thing before I leave. I owe you this."

I gasped as pain seared my body as I felt something sharp pierce my skin. Jacob stabbed me. I froze unable to move from the pain. I couldn't speak. I was afraid to talk. "Remember this next time you think of leaving Italy." Jacob snarled.

Jacob pushed the knife further into me thrusting it upward before yanking it out fast. I clutched my side. Watching as Jacob left while I stood there unable to move. "Bella what was that about?" Emmett said.

I wanted to turn around. I wanted to speak but I couldn't. I could feel my body becoming weak. Edward knew me well. Too well. "Bella what happened? Look at me." Edward said walking up behind me. Slowly I grasped Edward's arm. "Bella what is it?" But before I could turn around my body went limp.

"BELLA" Edward said catching me.

Everything began to spin around me. I could barely see Edward's face. "Bella, stay with me. Where does it hurt?" Edward said panicked. It pained me to see that look on Edward's face. It pained me that if I died I would die in Edward's arms and he would have to remember that for the rest of his life.

I swallowed hard to speak. But all my body wanted to do was sleep. I grasped Edward's bicep hard. I was clinging to him for dear life. "I'm not going anywhere Bells. Tell me." Edward whispered. I knew I didn't have much more time before I slipped into an unconscious state.

"H-He. Stabbed. M-Me." I said breathlessly.

I watched as Edward glanced down at me panicked. The lighting in the room was dim so Edward couldn't see. Gently he placed his hand onto my abdomen gently. I groaned in pain. Edward gently lifted his hand to the light. His hand was covered in blood. Edward had a look of fear in his eyes. But I knew behind fear was hatred. He was going to want to kill Jacob and honestly I couldn't blame him.

"Emmett call 9-1-1." Edward said.

"What? Why?"

"That sonofabitch stabbed her." Edward said through gritted teeth.

Edward quickly lifted me into his arms. It was getting harder and harder to hold on. My eyes kept trying to close. I was trying to hang on. Hang on for him if not for myself. "Stay with me Bella. You can't leave us now." Edward whispered. I looked up into Edward's eyes. Everything was passing me by like it was a blur. "I'm sorry." I whispered.

"Don't. Don't you dare Bella. Don't you dare talk like your dying. Your going to be ok. You have to." Edward trembled.

I slowly lifted my hand as I cupped Edward's sweet face. "You can't save me." I whispered.

"Like hell i can't."

It was getting harder and harder to keep my eyes open. My vision was becoming blurry. "BELLA. OPEN YOUR EYES BELLA. DON'T YOU DARE DIE ON ME. BELLA." Edward yelled.

That was the last thing i heard before darkness swallowed me.

I sat on the floor of the hallway at the hospital. The worst feeling in my life was holding the lifeless body of Bella. The woman I love and my best friend. She just didn't know it yet. I ran my fingers through my hair frustrated. I didn't know what I would do or how I would live on if she didn't make it. I so badly wanted to track down that sonofabitch and kill him myself. I wanted him to pay for what he is doing to her. For what he has done to her. Bella never told me what happened the night of prom. I wanted to know still. I needed to know.

"Hey"

I glanced up to see Alice looking at me worried. She was the only one aside from Emmett who knew how in love I am with Bella. It killed me to know that Jacob stabbed her. That sonofabitch would be sorry. "Hey Alice." I said.

"Still in surgery?"

"Yeah" I said.

"She's going to be ok Edward." Alice said gently placing her hand on my arm.

"It's not the point. This shouldn't be happening. What did she ever do to him?" I asked.

"I don't know."

"Maybe this is why she's been avoiding me." I said.

"That's not why she was avoiding you."

"What? Then why?" I asked.

What did Alice know? Did I do something to upset her? I didn't get why she wouldn't come meet Alexis tonight. I knew Bella would like her. "First let me ask you this. Do you love Bella?"

"Of course I do." I said.

"No, I mean are you in love with Bella."

I knew what Alice meant I was just trying to avoid the subject. Raking my hand through my hand I breathed exasperated. I just wanted to know Bella is ok. I needed to know she is going to make it.

"Yes, Alice. I still love her." I said.

"Then why did you bring Alexis?"

"Because Bella doesn't feel that way about me anymore. I should have told her I was in love with her the moment I knew in high school but I didn't. I waited until it was too late." I said.

"How do you know?"

"I just do" I said.

Because as much as I hoped and wished Bella felt the same for me as I did for her I knew it wasn't true. And I knew it would be better if I tried dating other people. To try to move on even though it was the hardest thing to do. Because truth be told I don't want to move on. I want it to always be Bella.

"Well you're wrong." Alice said.

Alice took me by surprise. What was she talking about? "What are you talking about Alice?" I asked confused.

"I'm talking about the reason Bella was avoiding you all night is because she was jealous of Alexis. Bella has feelings for you. She is still very much in love with you. Just as much if not more than she did back in high school."

"Then why hasn't she said anything?" I asked.

"She's afraid."

"Alice I don't know what to believe. I want it to be true but I just don't know. I love Bella and no matter what that will never change. Ever." I said.

Because it was true. I love Bella so much it hurts. But no matter who we are with I will always love Bella. She is my true love. The woman I should have been with all along.