The tension in the air is so thick it could be cut with a knife. My eyes rest on a distraught Angela, confusion, distress and guilt clearly written across her face, as she stares wide-eyed at the three of us. I pray that she doesn't decide to turn this into a confessional and stoke an already smoldering fire. I don't even want to imagine what Bella is thinking or feeling right now. I hate that my past always seems to find a way to slap us in the face. For me it's karma, but Bella doesn't deserve any of this.
"Well, the gang's all here." Mike snidely breaks the silence.
"Mike, please let's go home and talk about this." Angela tries pulling him by his arm, but he angrily shrugs her off.
"Don't touch me, you slut, and there is no home, you put paid to that. As I said, you have until the end of the weekend to pack what you came with and leave. That gives you a little over twenty-four hours."
He gives her a little shove toward me, fixing us both with a look of loathing. "You know, you two deserve each other, you're both..."
"Mike, stop it!" She steps away from me. "It's not his fault. He didn't force me into anything."
Fuck!
His eyes narrow as he stares first at her and then me. I close my eyes and shake my head in exasperation.
"What the fuck do you mean, he didn't force you?"
"I–I…"
"Son of a Bitch! It all makes sense now."
Angela's eyes widen in horror. I don't comment; I'm not about to contribute to a scene with the entire Board, most of the hospital staff and my family just a room away. What would they think? What would everyone think? All I can do now, is to try and undo the damage Angela's done.
"Newton, I don't know what the hell you're talking about. You and your wife need to resolve your marital problems in private. I've had enough of this nonsense. Bella?" I reach for her hand, and she quickly accepts. He steps around Bella and pokes me in the chest.
"Do you think I'm stupid? God, I can't believe I didn't see this before! All those suggestive comments about her, it's you, isn't it? You're the one she's cheating on me with!" His voice keeps getting louder and louder, and if he keeps this up, people inside are going to get wind of what's going on.
"Come on, Masen. Here's your chance to really show me up." He steps closer, our faces inches apart as he sneers. "Don't be a fucking coward. Look me in the eye and admit that you're fucking my wife."
I don't respond, I can't; not because I'm afraid of him, but because I don't want to upset Bella any further. She's had enough humiliation for one night. I already feel guilty about what Angela's going through now. Yes, she was a willing party, but from what I've just learned, Mike is threatening to throw her out of their home.
"What are you waiting for, Masen? You have the promotion, which should have been mine. You have the good Doctor Swan on your arm. Who would have thought that she'd be into your type of shit? Why not add my wife to the list? Be a man, 'fess up! This is the shit you live for; to win at any cost."
My resolve is slipping, and Bella senses it. I feel her close behind me as she slips her hand into mine, trying to calm me. "Don't let him do this. He's upset, and he's been drinking. He's not thinking clearly."
I need to get us out of here, but Mike steps even closer, his stance threatening not only me, but Bella.
"Get out of my face, Newton, or you'll be having a different set of problems."
"Edward, come on. Let's go." Bella tries again.
"I thought a guy like you would want to be the one in control, Masen. What's wrong, can't keep your woman in check?"
"I'm going to let that slide because you're angry and obviously having marital problems."
"Did you fuck my wife? It's a simple question, yes or no?" Again, he pokes at my chest. It's obvious that he's not going to let this rest without some kind of response from me.
"Don't ask questions you don't want the answers to, Mike," I snap, practically growling in his face. I'm not sure whether he expected this quasi admission or not. Perhaps he was holding out some hope that he might be wrong. I watch as his eyes widen wildly as realization sets in. His arm draws back, and I quickly move Bella behind me.
His fist hurtles toward my face, and I dodge it effortlessly. The momentum sends him toppling onto the floor. He scrambles to his feet and attempts another punch and another, missing me each time. His alcohol consumption has obviously adversely affected him, turning his actions into something that mirrors a slapstick bar room brawl.
"Mike, stop it!" Angela jumps in front of him and grabs his arm.
"Oh nice, protecting your lover. Take your hands off me, you make me sick!" He pulls away from her, and she tries desperately to hold onto him, pleading for him to forgive her. She loses her footing and falls to her hands and knees.
I feel like complete shit as look I down at her sobbing on the floor. I move to comfort and help her up, but Bella beats me to it.
"Doctor Swan, I've done as you said and told him about having an affair, but it's all turned into a fiasco. I wanted to get everything out in the open, but now he loathes me. I thought when he insisted that I attend this function with him that he was coming around, but he only wanted to keep up appearances for the Board. He hasn't changed his mind, and now I've lost him."
An affair? I contemplate interjecting. We got together a couple of times for hard and hurried sex. I'd hardly call what happened between us an affair, but I decide to not challenge her. At this point, it would do more damage than good.
"Angela, here, let me help you up. Everything is going to be all right."
"The hell it is! You knew about this?" Mike storms over to them. They look shocked at his change of attack, which he now directs squarely at Bella.
"My money paid for you to provide us both with counseling, and you knew about her sleeping around behind my back with him? You gave no thought to me in the matter. And now you're dating him?" He jabs a thumb over his shoulder in my direction, as he practically spits at Bella. "You're just as sick and twisted as they are!"
"Bella, you might want to take Angela to get freshened up."
I sense that Mike and I are going to have to hash this out on our own, and it's not going to be pretty. I'm a bit shocked to learn that Bella was or is their therapist, and I momentarily cringe at the thought that she may know the sordid details of my liaisons with Angela. God, what she must've had to sit through, but I can't delve into that now. I need to spare her from any further involvement in a mess of my making.
"No, I'm not leaving you here alone with him. I don't trust that he can control himself in his condition, and that you won't react. Edward, think about your repu–"
"Look at them, protecting you like a harem of sluts!"
I smash my fist into his jaw, and blood pours from his mouth.
"Oh my God!" Bella and Angela both scream.
"Son of a bitch!" He spits out a string of invectives and holds his mouth. I wait for his retaliation, which doesn't come. He glares at the three of us, the look in his eyes promising retribution.
He stalks away, and I exhale sharply. I briefly examine my knuckles and flex my fingers; thankfully, I appear to not have damaged it. I turn my attention to Bella and Angela, who's a sniveling wreck. I can tell by Bella's demeanor that she's not too happy with me for hitting Mike, but what was I supposed to do, continue to let him insult her?
"How is she?"
"She's a mess, Edward. I'm going to take her the ladies' room so she can clean up." She puts an arm around Angela and leads her away.
This is a disaster, and I really don't know how to fix it at this point. Lord only knows what Mike's saying to anyone who'll listen to him. Bella's taking care of Angela, so I decide to see how much damage he's already done.
I straighten my jacket and take a deep breath before reentering the banquet hall. I scan the room, but can't see any sign of Mike. My father and brother approach me, both looking worried.
"What the hell's going on, man? You're the guest of honor, and you've been missing for damned near thirty minutes."
"Is Bella all right, Son?"
"She's fine. She's in the ladies' room. Everything's fine." I respond absentmindedly as I catch a glimpse of Mike talking with Doctor Doyle.
That can't be good.
I watch to see if I can discern anything from Doyle's body language, but his back is turned to me.
"Edward?"
"What?" I'm completely oblivious to what my father has been saying.
"You're on another planet. What's going on with you?"
"Nothing, I just need to have a word with Doctor Newton and Doctor Doyle. Excuse me." I abruptly leave my father and brother and cautiously approach the two men. Mike glances at me, and Doyle's eyes follow his line of vision to see me make my way to them.
I bet he's squealing like a pig.
"Here he is, the man of the hour!" Mike feigns excitement. "You know, Doctor Masen, I was just telling Doctor Doyle that I went out to the patio to congratulate you."
"Is that right?" I smile tightly and try to maintain my composure. The bastard is baiting me, and there's not a damned thing I can do about it in front of Doyle.
"Yes, he was. I know the two of you are both competitive, but the pair of you epitomize the excellence we're so proud of at St. Luc's. Mike was just telling me how much he admires you." Doyle laughs lightheartedly, while Newton regards me with a snide smile.
"Well, I appreciate that, Mike. Although, I believe your admiration is more clearly and rightfully directed toward my father."
"Doctor Masen Senior is one tough act to follow, but you? You haveit all, Edward; brains, wealth, looks, and as I hear, women clamoring after you. You've landed the most prestigious surgical role in the best hospital in the state. You have a gorgeous new woman on your arm. What did you say her name was again?"
I glare at him witheringly. He's clearly hell bent on dragging Bella into this mess, and he's pushing me to the limit by doing so.
"You know what her name is, Doctor Newton." My voice is low, with subdued of warning. I don't want to alert Doyle to what's really going on. Mike will keep.
"She is beautiful, Doctor Masen. I would love to meet…."
"Isabella. Her name's Isabella, and I would be happy to introduce you, Doctor Doyle."
"Oh right," Mike snaps his fingers dramatically. "Isabella Swan, she's a marriage therapist. One of the best in her field, I hear. How did you two meet?"
I can feel my nostrils flare and my jaw clench. Mike is about to get his ass handed to him, and I no longer give a fuck about how it will ruin the night or my reputation. He's throwing down the gauntlet, subtly threatening Bella and trying to raise Doyle's suspicions about my conduct.
"I can't wait to meet her, Masen. I'll see the two of you gentlemen later. Mike, it looks like you have a little lipstick or something on your collar." He gestures to the tiny bloodstain on his shirt and walks away with a polite smile. I wait until he's out of earshot.
"If you think about doing anything to harm Bella, I'll destroy you."
"The only person who's going to end up destroyed is you, Masen. No, I take that back. Any woman who aligns herself with you sets herself up for destruction. Poor Doctor Swan, you'll ruin her just like you've ruined every woman you've come into contact with; your wife, my wife, and who knows how many other wives, including those of colleagues, and other strange women you've fucked. I won't have to do a thing. I won't have to lift a fucking finger, Masen." He backs away, pointing at me and smiling wickedly.
.
.
.
We drive in silence. She hasn't said a word since returning from helping Angela. I ask repeatedly whether everything is all right, and she simply nods her head each time. When Bella is as quiet as this, it either means that she is so incensed that she can't trust herself to speak, or that she is deeply worried about something.
"Will you say something?"
"It was a great night for you, considering…." She exhales before her voice trails off. I glance at her, and she's staring blankly out of the side window.
"Considering what, that Newton ruined it?"
"His actions were understandable."
"I can't believe what I'm fucking hearing. Mike Newton goes out of his way to ruin my night, insult you and his wife. He taunts me about it and demeans our relationship, and you say his actions were justified?"
"I didn't say justified, I said they were understandable. He recently found out that his wife was unfaithful, and tonight, he learns that it was with none other than the person he's been competing with for years, Edward. He feels like he's lost everything. I can sympathize with how he's feeling, that's all."
I'm pissed off that she's defending him, especially his attacks on her, but what do I say to that? I do see her point, and I know what it feels like to feel that sense of loss and humiliation, but I cannot condone his veiled threats toward Bella. I don't want to escalate our disagreement, so don't respond.
We pull up outside my house, and I step out. She doesn't wait for me to open the door for her. I follow her, unlock the front door and wait until she enters. Still not uttering a word, she disappears upstairs, I assume to change out of her dress. I give in to my frustration and pick up a wine bottle and smash it to the floor.
"How the fuck is this my fault?"
I flop down onto the sofa and undo my bowtie. She reemerges in one of my t- shirts and shakes her head at the mess I've created.
"Do you feel better now that you've smashed something?"
"I'll feel better once someone, namely you, explains to me how tonight's ordeal is my damned fault."
"That is how you're at fault, Edward!" She points to the broken bottle, and I frown.
"A broken bottle of wine?"
"No, your temper. You can't resort to fighting to resolve your problems, Edward. Every time there's a confrontational situation, you make it worse by fighting or attempting to fight."
"He insulted you. He had it coming."
"He was upset, and rightfully so! You didn't have to go toe to toe with him. Fighting solves nothing." She heads for the fridge and grabs a bottle of water.
"You're not dating a boy scout, Bella. I can't just turn the other cheek."
"No, it doesn't seem that you can, and that creates problems for you. Think about it. Jake challenged you, and the first thing you did, was square off. It made him want to retaliate. You did the same thing with Mike tonight, and it actually turned to physical violence. I know he threw the first punch, but you could have walked away, Edward. And now, God only knows what he's going to do next. Let's not forget what happened when you beat up James."
I can't believe she's brought this up now. No one understands the ramifications of James's thirst for revenge better than I do.
"I wanted to protect you, Bella."
"Protect me from what?" She throws up her hands in despair.
"From anyone who tries to bring harm to you. I won't let anyone hurt you, ever. You're my life now, don't you get that?"
She just stares at me, but something in her eyes worries me. I can't discern whether it's despair or trepidation. The happiness that shone in her eyes early tonight is gone. It's been replaced with some emotion I can't place. The only emotions I can now sense are my ever-present fear of losing her, and her lack of trust and certainty in what we have.
"Don't look at me like that."
"Like what?" She asks in a near whisper.
"Like you're having second thoughts about me."
She turns and quietly walks back upstairs.
.
.
.
I lie awake in bed, staring at the ceiling, listening to her breathings softly next to me. I hate not being able to touch her; it feels like the worst punishment. It's like dangling a piece of meat in front of a tiger and keeping it just out of his reach.
"Are you going to hold me or not?" She whispers groggily.
"I thought you were asleep and angry at me?"
"You frustrate me. I realize I'm probably going to be dealing with that as for the rest of my life, but I'm not angry."
I turn to look at her; she still has her back turned, and she's lying on her side. I inch over and wrap my arms around her tightly.
"The rest of your life, huh?"
"It's amazing how that's the only thing you heard." she laughs lightly.
"I hear everything you say. I only pay attention to the important things." I take a deep breath and sigh, "tonight turned into a disaster. I'm sorry."
"You couldn't have known it was going to end the way it did."
"I should have. Whether Mike found out about Angela and me or not, I should have known that he'd find a way to destroy the evening for me."
"He was bound to find out one way or another, Edward. The truth always has a way of coming to light."
I mull over what she's saying, and she's absolutely right.
"So, Angela told you about us." I already know the answer, and despite my distaste at the idea of her knowing all the sordid details, I don't want this to fester between us. I need to give her the opportunity to address the matter with me. I have too much to lose, and if she's bothered about any of it in any way, I need to reassure her.
"I can't answer that for reasons you already know, but I'm not in the dark. That's all I'm going to say."
"What I should know, is that my stupid mistakes will always come back to bite me in the ass. I'm so sorry, Bella, that you have to keep confronting my abhorrent past."
"It's a cute ass."
I turn her over so I can look into her eyes.
"I'm being serious. Tonight, before things went to hell in a handbasket, I wanted to ask you something important."
"Ask me now."
"The set up isn't quite the same."
"I can always put the dress back on and…."
I roll my eyes at her dry humor, as I climb out of bed to retrieve the box from my trousers.
I crawl back over the top of her, and with the black velvet box in the palm of my hand, I hold it up to her sight.
"Oh, Shit!" Her eyes widen as she dramatically clutches at her throat, and I laugh.
"It's not that. You can put those beautiful amber eyes back in your head, Bella."
"Oh," she chuckles nervously and reaches for the box. "What is it?"
I snap my fingers shut around it and pull it away from her. "I don't know. I'm a little disturbed and somewhat offended by your initial reaction." I clutch at my heart, mocking despair.
"Shut up and give me the damned box, Edward. What would any woman think? Her boyfriend presents her with a little velvet box; says it's important?"
"I guess you're right." I hand it to her and watch as she eagerly opens it. She pulls out the shiny silver item and holds it aloft.
"It's a key."
"It is."
"To what?"
"To my home, my heart, everything. Move in with me, Bella.