A/N: The next chapter will be Act II of this story in a sense. A lot changes in this chapter, but their story is far from over. They have an epic love and I think that's something that is never going to be easy, but it will always be worth it. Thank you soo much for all your reviews! I love reading them and I hope everyone who reviewed last time liked the early sneak peek. Remember to like the Facebook fan page for this story and follow me on twitter/kim_writerxo

Bella's eyes slowly fluttered open. The strong fluorescent light hurt her eyes and she felt the IV needle in her hand. She could barely recall what happened, or why she was in a hospital bed. Her abdomen throbbed and she quickly learned that any slight movement hurt. She slowly moved her head to the side and she saw Edward asleep with his head resting against the wall. Even in a drowsy state, she still admired him, he looked like a sleeping angel to her.

"Edward.." She called out, her voice sounding hoarse.

Edward's eyes opened immediately at the sound of her voice. He had been by her side ever since she came out of surgery and refused to leave. "Bella, you're awake," he said, sounding out of it as he rose to his feet and rushed to her side.

She winced in pain again and tried to focus on him, "what happened? Where's Avery?" She asked sounding afraid.

He grabbed her small hand and slowly stroked the side of her face, "you were shot… Bella, the police are looking for him," he paused for a second and then continued, "I'm sorry this happened to you. It's my fault," he said bitterly.

Bella's throat felt dry and she coughed slightly, "n- no it's not your fault. I couldn't live without you."

Edward's eyes grew dark at her confession. He shook his head slightly.

"Don't say that."

"But it's true Edward. I never want to lose you."

"And do you think I want to lose you?"

Before Bella could answer Charlie came rushing in.

"Is she awake?" He asked sounding worried.

"Dad.." She said softly feeling weaker now.

Edward stepped back slightly, so that Charlie could see Bella. He knew her father hated him and he would blame him for Bella getting hurt. He was a monster in everyone's eyes. Normally he would let his consuming love for Bella vanquish his uneasiness about their judgements, but not this time. He knew he was the source of her pain and seeing her lifeless and bloody proved that to him. He was like a vampire and she was a human. He could only try his best not to destroy her because he loved her, but for how long could that last?

"I will kill that man if I find him," Charlie said angrily.

He was not good at expressing his emotions, but he wanted Bella to know that he would destroy the man who hurt his only daughter.

"It hurts so bad."

"Edward get the nurses in here. She doesn't look good at all." Charlie said.

Edward called for the nurses and they came rushing in. They asked Charlie and him to stand outside for a few minutes as they saw to Bella. Edward didn't want to leave her alone, he gazed at her and then reluctantly walked out of the room. Charlie was furious, he glared at Edward as they walked towards the waiting room.

"This is your fault."

Edward knew it was his fault in some way, but he didn't need to get into that with Charlie right now

"I understand that Mr Swan, but I never meant for this to happen to Bella. She's my wife." He said, emphasising on the wife part.

Charlie muttered something under his breath. He took a deep breath and exhaled, "she shouldn't be ruined her life."

Edward was stunned. Did he really ruin Bella's life? He knew Charlie was right. Bella should be able to focus on college and herself, but he loved her. How could he just give up on that?

"I'm sorry you think that, but she's with me now! Try getting used to that."

"Bella almost died. We're lucky she's alive. You need to let her go, so she can live her life without you. That would be a better life for her." Charlie said sounding dead serious.

Just then Jacob Black walked towards Charlie. He had come to see Bella and he heard Charlie speaking loudly as if he were upset. He wasn't surprised when he saw that Edward was there

"Is she okay?" He asked, ignoring the obvious tension.

Edward glared at Jacob. He didn't have any patience for him, or Charlie at the moment.

"She's alive, but she's far from okay." Charlie said as he gave Edward a stiff look.

Edward saw his mother, Esme walk over to him with a concerned look on her face. She was followed by his younger half-sister Alice. He hadn't seen his sister in a long time, but he was glad she was here. In that moment he had regretted staying away from them for all these years. He always assumed they would be better without his darkness, but maybe he was wrong. There were many facets of his life that Edward wished he could change. He wished that he wasn't the type of man who used his wife for his own personal gain, he wished he was the type of man his mother could be proud of. He wished for all these things yet he knew he could never change the past, or the fundamental parts of himself. He thought Bella was enough to ground him and keep him good, but doing so was detrimental to her well being.

He thought he wasn't a beast anymore because of her love, but he knew that he didn't earn it. Had he given anything up to be with her? Had he become selfless in any way? He just found ways to get everything that he wanted, but it seemed like Bella would always be the one who paid the consequences for his actions. Would he allow that to continue?

"Edward, I'm so sorry," Esme said caringly as she hugged him tightly like she did when he was a little boy.

He embraced his mother and felt his strong facade crack a little,"it's my fault, she's hurt because of me," he said bitterly.

"This isn't your fault. Bad things happen to good people."

"Mom's right. I don't get how it could even be your fault," Alice chimed in. She was known to just interrupt conversations and add her own comments. She was the perfectly annoying, but lovable little sister.

Edward chuckled a little as he slowly pulled away from Esme's hug and shook his head at his sister.

"Typical Alice," he teased slightly.

"You know you love me. You'll get through this and this time we're not letting you chase us away."

Edward felt guilty even though his sister was being light hearted about what she said, he could see the pain in her eyes from the years he had stayed away from her and the rest of their family. All he ever did was cause people pain. Maybe he would always be the beast, but he refused to take Bella down with him.

Bella just wanted to go home. She hated the strong sterile smell of the hospital, the constant beeping of the heart rate monitor and the IV needles and drips that were attached to her. It all slowly came back to her. Edward was the love of her life and there was no way she was going to sit back and watch someone snatch him away from her like that.

She was talking to Jacob who had come to see her. She was grateful for his company. He kept looking at her with sympathy and concern.

"You didn't deserve this," he said.

He placed his hand on top of hers. Bella looked into his brown eyes.

"I had to save him," she said stubbornly.

"He should have been saving you. I wish you'd see that."

Bella slowly pulled her hand away from Jacob's.

"It all happened so fast and I'd do it again. I can't live without him,"

Jacob's eyes grew dark. He had always tried to understand why Bella chose to be with Edward and he had always respected her decision - until now.

"So you go on a suicide mission and take a bullet for him? Think about what you're saying,"

Bella's lower lip began to quiver. Jacob's tone was harsh and unforgiving. She bit on her lower lip and shook her head.

"You don't get it, Jacob. It all happened so fast. When you love someone you'd do anything for them. Don't you get that?" She asked as she felt tears in her eyes.

"Trust me I get it Bella. I love this girl and all she does is hurt herself. What do you do for someone like that huh?" He asked without thinking.

Bella looked at him with a confused reaction.
"What are you talking about?"
He avoided looking into her eyes. He knew he had gone too far and he immediately regretted it.

"Nothing. Well I hope you get better in time for your writing fellowship in Italy. I'm going to be spending the year abroad too. Maybe we'll get to see Italy together."

Bella played with her fingers and looked at them. A few weeks ago she was informed that she had received an exclusive writing fellowship in Italy for a year. It was a major achievement for her

and she had always dreamed of something like that. She would get to live in Liguria, Italy. Breathe in the salty air from the Mediterranean sea. Take in the rich cultures of Italy. It all sounded perfect, but there was no Edward.

"I don't think I'm going to go."

"Why not?" Jacob asked, sounding surprised.

"I'm married. I can't leave Edward for a year to go write in Italy. I mean I can do that here in New York, you know?"

Jacob wanted to tell her she sounded like a 1950s housewife and that wasn't her at had always danced around his feelings for Bella. He couldn't do it anymore. She was throwing away her whole life and he wasn't ready to let her do that.

"Opportunities like this don't come along everyday. Edward has GQ, his trust fund, his own house - what do you have that's yours?"

Bella felt like he had slapped her across the face. She stared ahead at the wall in front of her. What did she have?

"I have NYU and I . ."she felt weak and dizzy.

The heart rate monitor started to beep loudly.
Edward had decided to check up on Bella. He was about to walk in when he heard Jacob talk about the fellowship. He was surprised that she never told him about it, but it seemed like fate was trying to tell him that he was holding her back. As soon as he heard the heart rate monitor pick up, he knew it was time to intervene.

He burst into the room and rushed to Bella's side. He glared at Jacob. "Get out," he said firmly.

Jacob was concerned. He didn't meant to upset Bella like that. He wanted to tell Edward the only person who needed to get out was Edward himself. Out of the hospital room and out of Bella's life.

A nurse came rushing in to find out what was happening. She quickly took a vial out and placed it into the IV drip.

"Take it easy Mrs Cullen," the nurse said as she helped Bella settle down.

"I just need Edward."

"I'm here," he said as he held her hand firmly.

Jacob looked at the two of them in disgust. Bella was in love with a damn vampire as far as he was concerned. She was so blind to who the real killer was in her life. He pushed his chair back and walked out of the room.

A month later

Edward didn't say anything about the fellowship while Bella healed. He didn't want to stress her the way Jacob had. Being with Bella was everything he needed and wanted, but it seemed like the universe was always conspiring against them. He always thought that his darkness was bad for the woman he loved. He just didn't know how to walk away from her anymore. If he could even do it again. He was never the type of man who would have thought such things a year ago. He never thought that he could care about anyone but himself, but with Bella - she changed things. However he was still Edward and old habits die hard.

They were sitting at a Thai place called, Kittichai in Soho. It was located on the ground floor of the Thompson Hotel. The candlelight flickered on the glossy wooden table giving off a golden, dimmed lit were parallel beams on the ceiling and in the middle of the room there was a beautiful pool that had floating candles in it.. Bella was in awe of the beautiful surroundings. It was very romantic. Candle light always seems to give off that illusion . Bella was finally feeling well enough to go out and she had a massive craving for Thai food. Edward wasn't a big fan, but he obliged as long as he was allowed to pick the restaurant. Bella knew that it was going to be fancy and over the top, but she wasn't going to complain. Choosing the finer things in life was just a part of who Edward was. It was starting to become a part of her too.

"Have you ever read The Lady with the Pet Dog, by Anton Chekov?" Edward asked as he took a sip from his glass of scotch.

Bella took a small sip of her Pinot Noir and arched an eyebrow at her husband.

"I actually have. I liked some parts of it. Why do you ask?"

Edward shrugged his shoulders and reached for an appetizer with his fork, "I've been thinking about it recently. Gurov lives a life of sinful affairs and avoids love. He doesn't even love his wife, but he meets Anna, doesn't think much of it at first, but it changes him. Sound familiar to you?"

Bella wondered where he was going with this. She tilted her head to the side. "It does sound very familiar. He doesn't think it could happen until it's too late. I really liked how it was all from his point of view. It wasn't romanticized."

Edward smirked. Bella was liked how he could speak to her about literature and she'd respond appropriately.

"It's not romanticized. The end is ambiguous, he know he loves her, but he also knows their troubles are far from over."

Now Bella was really confused. She twirled her knife around her hand. "Are you saying our troubles are far from over?"

Edward pulled at the neck of his shirt slightly and looked away from her. "Maybe.."

"Explain?"

"I know about the fellowship, Bella. Why aren't you taking it?"

Bella's brown eyes grew wide and she avoided his gaze. Choosing to give it up was hard, but what could she do? Leave him? Destroy their marriage?

"Because I can write anywhere. I don't have to do this," she said while she looked down at her plate, she slowly lifted her head up to look at him, "how did you even know about that?

He kept steady eye contact with her, "That doesn't matter. You should have told me."

"I know, I was wrong okay? But it's for a year. I can't leave to Italy for a year, Edward."

"This is a great opportunity for you. I wouldn't keep you from it, but you clearly think that you have to destroy yourself for me. That's not right."

She felt like he had thrown ice cold water on her head. She could deal with everyone else in her life thinking she was sacrificing too much for him, but she couldn't deal with it coming from him.

"Destroy myself? I try to love you and you call it destroying myself? It's not right for you to make decisions for me. You always do it. You say you'll stop, but I feel like you see me as some incapable child."

Edward exhaled and leaned in closer to her. "I don't see you a child, Bella. I'm trying to make you see everything clearly. If you don't go to Italy you'll resent me for the rest of your life."

"I could never resent you. Are you going to be okay living for a year with me gone to Italy? Marriages just don't work like that."

"Bella, you're 20. You shouldn't even be married." As soon as he said it he wished he take it all back, but it was too late.

"What is that supposed to mean?" She asked through gritted teeth.

"It means that I pushed you into something neither of us were ready for. We should be dating, getting to know each other. Not staying married just because I was an asshole who used you to keep my money."

Bella felt tears in her eyes. "You don't want this do you? If you still see it as all part of your plan then I guess I can't say anything to that now can I?" She asked as she rose to her feet and pushed her chair back. "I'm going home. I need to clear my mind."

Edward noticed that people were staring at them. "Bella, just eat your dinner and we can discuss this later." He said in a calm, quiet voice.

"You've said enough." She gave him a look that showed all her disappointment and walked out of the restaurant.

It had been a few days after their fight in the restaurant. They hadn't talked much to each other since then, but they were trying to be civil. Sometimes you say things that can't be taken back no matter how badly you wished you could.

Bella took a deep breath as she knocked on the door to Edward's office.

"Come in."

She pulled the door open, walked in and looked at him. He had his reading glasses on and his head was buried in a pile of documents on his desk.

"I need to tell you something."

He paused and then looked up at his wife.

"Hmm?"

"I'm going to go to Italy," she said simply and held in her breath.

Their eyes locked. Nothing would be the same after this and they both knew it.

"Good," was all he could say.

Bella crossed her arms and tried not to show him how sad she was. "W-what's going to happen to us?"

"I don't know."

She shook her head at him. "You don't know? That's really reassuring."

He pushed his chair back and made his way over to his wife. "Look at me," he said as he picked her chin up with his fingers.

Bella's eyes found his and he could see tears welling up in them. He hated seeing those tears especially when he knew who was to blame for them.

"I love you, Edward."

"I know and I love you. When you come back, if it's meant to be we'll find our way back, but I need to let you go."

"Let me go? No.. you can't let me go. You promised," she said, her voice shaking.

He placed his hand on the side of her face.

"But I also promised myself that I'd always protect you. I need to do that."

Bella didn't understand why this had to be the end. They had been through so much. Their love was all consuming, epic and now it was tragic. He wrapped his arms around her and she let him do it.

"One last kiss?" She asked.

He leaned in and gave her the softest, most tender kiss he could muster. He wanted to savor how her tongue felt against his. How his rough lips brushed against her soft ones. How it felt to have everything you ever wanted right in front of you and think about how lucky you were to find something that most people wait their entire lifetimes for.

It was finally time for Bella to leave. She had packed up all her things that she had with her and sent them off to Italy a few days guest bedroom she used before marrying Edward looked exactly the way it did before she moved in. It was almost as if there was no trace of her. She wondered if that's how it would eventually be for Edward. She would be like Jennifer, or Marie. Just a woman who was one of Edward's exes and there'd be no real trace of her left. He could add her to the list. He had said that they would find their way back, but could she really believe that? It amazed her how she didn't even cry that much. It was like what Carrie Bradshaw said about Mr Big. There's a certain allotment of tears per man and she had used all hers up on him. She was beyond tears at this point. Her flight was leaving in 3 hours. She had said goodbye to Angela who promised to visit. Jacob was already gone to Italy so she would see him there. She was glad someone familiar would be around especially since they made up a bit after their fight at the hospital. Charlie came to visit for a few days. He was proud of her for following her dreams and was glad that things with Edward seemed to be over.

She also decided that she would use the fellowship as a chance to write a novel she had been dying to work on and attend some classes at an American university in Italy, so she could complete her degree. It all sounded so great, but she felt hollow inside.

She buttoned up her sleek black coat and rolled out her black leather suitcase. She carried her bag down the stairs, pulled the handle back up, so that she could roll it out once the cab arrived. She paused for a second as she looked at the familiar foyer. She remembered the first day she walked into Edward's house. She was so scared and had no idea what was in store for her. She thought about how Edward let her stay with him even though he had no idea who she was. He had given her everything she had ever wanted. He taught her how to love and how to give yourself to someone completely. That girl who walked into that house that cold, fall night was a different person now.

The door swung open and Edward stood in the doorway as he looked at Bella and then to her suitcase. He wasn't going to say goodbye, but it seemed as if he enjoyed torturing himself. He caught her eyes and his mind traveled back to the first day that he had met her. He never thought that innocent girl would be the one he'd fall in love with.

"So I have to go," she said as she wheeled the bag over to where he was.

He didn't move. He never imagined doing the right thing could be so hard.

"You saved my life," he blurted out.

"I wasn't going to let Avery shoot you," she said angrily.

" I wasn't talking about that."

She realized what he was talking about.

She reached out to him and stroked the side of his face.

"You're the one Edward Cullen and you always will be."

"No one will ever compare to you."

The two of them felt as if time had stopped as they gazed into each other's eyes. If only time had really stopped then they wouldn't have to say goodbye.

"Goodbye Edward," she said sadly.

He nodded his head, feeling a lump in his throat. He moved out of her way and she brushed past him. He could smell strawberries and vanilla. And just as easily as she had came into his life, she was gone.

He watched her walk down the steps and towards the cab. He shut the door, so he wouldn't have to watch her leave. His Iphone rang, he pulled it out of his pocket and answered it.

"I believe Avery is in Canada." His private investigator said.

"Good. I made sure Bella went to Italy. She'll be safe there."

"She will be safe and um Mr Cullen what do you plan on doing once you find James Avery?"

"You'll see Grayson, you'll see." He hung up and stared vacantly at the window.

He was crushed, but he needed to protect Bella. Even if that meant letting her go. Adrianna, the Eastern European maid, walked up to him with a confused look on her face. He looked at her sadly.

"I let her go."

"Why did you do that Mr Edward?"

"Because I love her and she needs to be safe"