A/N: I'm sorry for the delay. I've been waiting for the chapter to get validated over at Twilighted before posting here, but just found out my validation beta is on vacation. Please let me know if you spot any mistakes in this chapter, since it's un-betad. And thank you all so much for your lovely reviews!

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BPOV

I couldn't deny that my nerves had been all over the place before I arrived at Edward's house, but to my great relief, dinner had been going pretty well, all things considering. Or at least until Carlisle showed up. I didn't know what was happening, but all of the sudden, the tension between him and Esme was so thick you could cut it with a knife.

Edward's reaction when I asked if I should leave surprised me. Not that I actually wanted to go; his agitation was painfully obvious, and the mere thought of leaving him like that made my heart ache, but somehow, it seemed like the polite thing to do. Thankfully, Carlisle agreed that I could stay.

Although I knew it had to be my mind playing tricks on me, the temperature in the room seemed to have dropped several degrees, and I couldn't help but shiver as Edward turned his fearful eyes to me. I just wanted to tell him that everything would be okay, but I couldn't, because I had no idea what was going on.

So I just ran my thumb soothingly over his knuckles, nearly crying when he reluctantly eased the death grip he had on my arm and got up, following Carlisle out of the room without a word.

For a minute or so - although it felt longer - I remained silent, fidgeting awkwardly in my seat. Then I took a deep breath and looked at Esme, who had yet to say a word since Edward and Carlisle walked out the door. "What just happened?"

"I'm so sorry, Bella." Esme finally turned around to face me, a pained expression on her face. "This is not how I had hoped this night would turn out. I specifically asked Carlisle - I begged him - not to stir things up tonight. But did he listen to me?" She let out a frustrated sigh. "I love my husband, and his heart is in the right place, but sometimes he can be so... dense."

Having no idea how to respond to that, I lowered my eyes and nervously wrung my hands in my lap. Luckily, Esme noticed my discomfort and gave me an apologetic look. "Forgive me, dear. I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable." She hesitated a little before she walked over to the table and sat down next to me.

I forced a smile, although I suspected it came out more like a grimace. "That's okay. I just..." I glanced at her. "You know what that was about, don't you?"

"Yes." I opened my mouth, but Esme went on, "It's not my place to tell. Bella, he's going to need you. But I must ask - how strong are you?"

"Um..." I gave her a look of confusion. "Why? What do you mean?"

Esme was quiet for a moment. Finally she spoke up, looking me right in the eyes. "I didn't believe Carlisle at first, when he told me he had witnessed you and Edward holding hands. I told him he had to be mistaken. But after what I've seen tonight... You're special, Bella. I don't know if you realize it, but you are. The fact that he's letting you touch him is huge, I never thought..." She shook her head, sadly.

I swallowed. "I know Edward and I haven't really known each other that long, but I already care about him so much. I just wanna help him, but I don't know how."

She sighed. "Has Edward mentioned to you that he's... that I'm not..."

Realizing what she was trying to ask me - obviously hesitating since she couldn't be sure of how much Edward had actually told me - I took pity on her and nodded. "I know he's adopted."

Esme let out an unsteady breath. "Did he tell you why?" I shook my head in the negative. "I didn't think so," she mumbled, and for a moment, I was almost certain I could see tears in her eyes. "You have to understand that Edward is terrified of letting anyone in. He shies away from other people, even his own family. And yet, somehow, he seems to trust you."

"Look..." I started, but she wasn't finished.

"Please, don't get me wrong. I can't tell you how grateful I am that Edward has found someone he feels comfortable with. I can see that you really care about him." Esme paused. "But I need you to truly understand and be prepared for the consequences of this relationship the two of you have going."

"Relationship?" I blushed.

She gave me a weak smile. "Relationship, friendship, whatever you wanna call it. Like I said, Bella; he is going to need you. But it won't be easy for you. That's why I asked you how strong you are. Because this will require a lot of strength and patience from your side. I love Edward like he was my own, but he is one damaged young boy. Are you sure you will be able to handle it?"

For some reason, her words made me angry. "Yes, of course I can handle it. Edward's a person, not a burden."

Esme sighed. "You're right. Nevertheless, he's bound to test your limits. Edward may trust you in some way, but sooner or later, chances are he will try to push you away, either to protect you, or himself. The question is, will you be strong enough to stand by him, no matter what?" She gave me a moment to let her words sink in.

Not needing any time to think about it, I looked her straight in the eyes and nodded. "Yes."

She watched me silently for a moment, then smiled. "I was hoping you'd say that. Thank you." Seeing how her words made me frown, Esme went on explaining, "I've seen first hand tonight how Edward acts around you, and I have to tell you, it amazes me. I'm so happy he met you, because it seems you are exactly what he needs. I just hope..." Her voice trailed off, and she let out a sigh.

I waited patiently for her to go on, but when almost a minute had passed, I realized she either wouldn't, or couldn't. For a moment, I remained silent, contemplating my options. There were so many things I wanted to ask her, but I didn't want to overstep my bounds.

However, one thing that had been bugging me for days, and I just couldn't help myself. I suppose - in my defense - the curiosity was getting the best of me. I glanced at Esme, hoping I wasn't making a mistake. "Esme? Who's Victoria?"

Although I wasn't sure of what I had been expecting, her reaction confirmed my suspicions; that whoever Victoria was, she played a major part in all of this. Esme stared at me, her eyes wide in disbelief. "Edward told you about Victoria?"

I lowered my eyes to the floor, not wanting to lie and say yes, but also dying to find out the truth. "Her name may have come up," I answered truthfully, still feeling slightly ashamed, because I knew I was partly leading her on, seeing how Edward had never mentioned Victoria to me. However, I took comfort in the fact that Esme would object if I was going too far; surely she wouldn't reveal anything too personal without Edward's knowledge and permission.

Esme hesitated a little, clearly conflicted. Finally she spoke up, although her reluctance was obvious. "Victoria Masen is the social worker connected to Edward's case. There's a lot more to the story, though, but you will have to ask him for any details." The tone of her voice told me that she doubted he would be willing to share it with me, and it made me both sad and frustrated.

Still, I fully accepted that Esme wouldn't further discuss the matter, and a part of me knew I shouldn't even have brought it up in the first place. "I'm sorry," I mumbled. "It's none of my business."

Her face softened. "Bella, I realize you have a lot of questions. It's perfectly understandable, and I don't blame you. But you need to give Edward some time. He has a lot of issues, trusting other people being one of them. Just be patient, and I believe he will open up to you when he's ready."

While I realized she had to know what she was talking about, I still didn't like the idea of Edward suffering in the meantime. I just wished he would talk to me. Then again, I couldn't really blame him. After all, like I had told Esme, we hadn't known each other long. She was right - I needed to give him some time. Sighing deeply, I nodded in acceptance.

"Just be there for him, Bella." Esme put her hand on top of mine, and our eyes met. "For now, I think that'll be enough."

I was just about to agree, when a loud crash echoed through the house; the unmistakable sound of something breaking. In the next moment, a door slammed, so hard that I involuntarily winced. My eyes widened in alarm, and I immediately jumped up from the chair.

"Bella," Esme warned, and I froze in my tracks, spinning around to face her. She rose as well, her face dead serious as she gave me a firm look. "Stay here." There was a sudden hint of authority in her voice that I hadn't heard before, and I blinked in surprise and shock.

EPOV

I had followed Carlisle out of the kitchen, through the living room and into his office, obediently putting one foot after the other, and it hadn't even occurred to me to protest. Because I had known the moment he stepped through the door, hell, even before that, that something had happened. And whatever it was, it was obviously serious enough for him to want to discuss it in private.

Carlisle quietly closed the door behind us, and asked me to sit down. I stubbornly remained where I was. "Is this about what happened the other day at school?"

He looked a little confused at first, then shook his head. "No, it's not."

Before he could go on, I spoke up again, hating the way my voice was trembling, "Then I don't know what I've done wrong."

"Edward..." Carlisle closed his eyes for a moment. "It's not about something you've done. Will you please just sit down and listen to what I have to say?"

I cast a brief look at the couch, then turned back to him with my arms folded across my chest. "I'm listening."

He sighed, and I was half convinced he was about to object. But instead he nodded in acceptance. "Very well. Edward, I'm not quite sure how to tell you this. The reason I was late tonight is because I received a phone call from Chicago. It's about James." He paused. "Now, are you sure you wouldn't rather be sitting down for this?"

My mouth instantly became completely dry, and my heart started beating wildly in my chest. Panic welled up inside me, and my entire body started trembling at the mere mention of his name. Carlisle's eyes widened in alarm, and he took a step towards me. I could see by the way his lips were moving that he was talking to me, but I didn't hear a word he was saying.

Was James about to be released from jail? Was he coming here? Or would I have to go back there? Numerous thoughts and scenarios were suddenly running through my head, although none of them very coherent. For a moment, I felt like I was going to be sick.

"Edward, do you hear what I'm saying? Edward!" The sudden sharp note in Carlisle's voice caused me to flinch. He immediately raised his hands and took a step back. When he spoke again, his voice was a lot softer. "Listen to me. It's not what you think. He was shot by the police, three days ago. By the time they arrived at the hospital, he had slipped into a coma. He hasn't woken up since, and the doctors don't think he will come out of it."

I just looked at him, feeling like I was surrounded by a thick fog, because I had a hard time to focus on his face. Realizing he was still talking, I blinked. "W-what?"

Carlisle sounded concerned. "Edward, you're white as a sheet and look like you're about to pass out any moment. You need to calm down and take a couple of deep breaths. Do you understand me?"

Feeling cold sweat break out on my forehead, I closed my eyes and tried to follow his instructions. Then I stumbled over to the couch - although it was just a few steps away, it felt like miles - and slumped down, trying to get my mind to process what Carlisle had just told me. "What happened?" I whispered, barely recognizing my own voice.

He slowly made his way over to me, hesitating a little before sitting down at the far side of the couch. "He was holding a young mother and her two children hostage in her apartment. When the police showed up, he became violent. They had no choice but to shoot him."

I shook my head in confusion, not yet understanding what he was telling me. "But... he was in jail."

Carlisle was quiet for almost a minute. Then he let out a sigh, and looked me right in the eyes. "He was. But he was released for parole, about a month ago. I didn't..." His voice trailed off, and he lowered his eyes to the floor.

For a moment, I just stared at him, unable to take in the meaning of his words. Then, slowly, realization started to dawn on me.

"You knew." My voice sounded hollow. "What, you didn't think it was worth mentioning?" Carlisle opened his mouth, but I jumped up from the couch, feeling like I had just been stabbed in the back. "You didn't think I had the fucking right to know that the bastard could've showed up at our fucking doorstep?!" Fury and nausea welled over me, and I started shaking, badly.

"Edward, listen to me." Carlisle got up as well, but made no motion of approaching me as I immediately took a few steps back, silently warning him not to come any closer. "The reason Esme and I decided not to tell you, is because we feared knowing would only agitate you, and we didn't want you to have to go through any more than you already have. But you have to understand-"

I interrupted him, letting out a snort of disbelief, "You've got to be fucking kidding me!"

"You have to understand..." Carlisle started over, patiently, "that it was never a question of him being able to find you. He was being monitored, and was to be in regular contact with his parole officer, to whom I have been speaking with on a weekly basis. James was not allowed to leave the state of Illinois. There was no possibility of him coming here to hurt you."

"You should've fucking told me!" I glared at him, ignoring his words.

Carlisle didn't seem put off by my anger as he watched me, calmly. "Do you really believe that would've made you feel better?" When I didn't answer, he went on, "What good would it have done? Esme and I thought you were better off not knowing. I'm sorry if you don't agree, but I still feel it was the right thing to do. I assure you, we only had your best interests in mind. We always do."

I shook my head in denial, refusing to accept his explanation. "You should've told me," I repeated, clenching my fists. "It wasn't your decision to make."

"Yes, it was," Carlisle stated, firmly. "And some day, I hope you will see it, too." He paused. "Edward, I've been thinking, and I realize you probably don't want to hear this, but I want you to consider going back into therapy."

"What?!" I stared at him in shock. "I fucking told you-"

He cut me off. "Yes, I remember. But frankly, I see no other option. This is not a healthy way of living, Edward. Don't you see what you're doing to yourself? Now, I understand-"

"Understand?!" I exploded. "Understand what, exactly? That I'm so screwed up that even my fucking therapist is giving up on me? And you actually want me to go back? That's fucking bullshit, Carlisle. You don't understand!"

"Then explain it to me. Help me understand." His voice remained calm, which only caused my frustration to grow stronger. I started pacing the room, feeling a desperate need to punch something. Carlisle watched me in silence for a moment before he spoke up again, softly, "Tell me what you're feeling right now."

"Fucking. Pissed. Off!" I yelled, horrified when tears of fury and frustration welled up in my eyes. Looking around in desperation, I grabbed the first object I could find - which happened to be an empty coffee mug - and hurled it with great force right into the wall, causing it to smash into a million pieces.

It was all becoming too much, and I didn't understand why he wouldn't just lose it and yell right back at me. A part of me wished he would, maybe then I would feel better about myself for lashing out at him again. But instead he just nodded in acceptance. "Can you tell me why?"

I stopped abruptly, giving him a doubtful look. "Are you serious?! How can you be so... so fucking..." I let out a frustrated growl as the words seemed to fail me.

"Understanding?" Carlisle suggested, calmly meeting my eyes. "I'm trying, Edward. Now hear me out. I won't force you back into therapy against your will. But you need to find some way to deal with what happened to you, to face your inner demons. Because it's killing you inside, whether you're willing to admit it or not. James is not a threat to you anymore. How long are you going to let him keep destroying your life?"

His words made me freeze in my tracks, and I just looked at him in confusion. I opened my mouth, then closed it again. Suddenly I felt like the walls were closing in on me, and I heard myself breathing, heavily. In that moment, I knew I just had to get away. So I rushed out of the room without another word.