A/N: I don't own this, we all know who does. If I did, Rpattz would be sitting with me, watching Hart of Dixie, as I break my boycott of The CW. What they did to my Veronica Mars show...it was a crime. But oh, the things I do for Scott Porter. He was Jason Street, 6, on Friday Night Lights. I'm loyal to a fault. I think Rpattz likes that... :)

This is unbeta'd, so any and all mistakes belong to me. Again, distracted by tv, and the pretty that is Scott Porter. Oh good gravy, he's so cute... (Rpattz is a little jealous...it's cute, too. :D )

This is for my wifey, Mrs. Robward. She made me cry with her story today. You really should check it out. It's called Might Have Been. I love it. :)

Thanks to Luxure & EdwardsBloodType for prereading this. They were awfully excited when I sent them email today. :D

**disclaimer **

This story is a bit taboo. After you're done, watch something with Scott Porter. Ohhhhh...yum. :D

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… Chapter Twenty One - Listen … Bella …

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He yells. Every day. He calls me horrible names, things he swore to me, years ago, that he would never say in my presence. Not only does he say them, but they're intended for me.

He's breaking me. He knows it.

If only he knew I was already broken by you. He wouldn't need to bother.

He could devote all his "make Bella feel like worthless shit" time to his sermons. Put it to good use. Use it for people that actually care about what he has to say.

I don't care, not anymore.

I hear Leah on the phone with you sometimes. It sounds like you're happy, doing well.

I'm glad. I want that for you, no matter what else happens in life.

I want you to be happy.

I overheard the bitties at church say that your parents were going to marriage counseling.

I'm sure it's the rumors about your father and I. Stupid old women.

Maybe my husband could focus them on something productive for the church, make better use of their information passing skills. But he won't.

He listens to them now.

Now that he's seen Claire turn into someone that could never be his child. Her pale, bright skin is such a contrast to his dark, olive complexion. I wait each day for him to ask for a paternity test.

I know it's coming.

And then what will I do?

In the mean time, I save every penny I can. I have a secret account.

So far I have enough to support myself for a few months.

I just wonder if leaving will be that easy.

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A/N: We'll pick up with Edward tomorrow. Maybe I'll even post 3 chapters again. Depending on how the Candy Bar Awards I have to put together go. :D

Reviews are better than paternity tests.

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