Hi guys! Now, we'll get to see a little bit of what was on Edward's mind. Hopefully, it will answer some of your questions...

After the last chapter, many of you understood where Jake was coming from. And there was some heat for Edward... Let me know if your mind changes about Edward after this chapter.

As always, thanks to all those who read, followed, and reviewed the story. I really appreciate it...

The story is complete. So, it will have daily updates. This story is not betad. So any mistakes are my own. Hope you like it. Please review and let me know.

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Chapter 23

Three Years Ago

EPOV

I knock lightly on the door and peek inside. "Prof. Biers?" I call out softly.

"Edward? Come in."

I walk tentatively to see Prof. Biers buried in paperwork. "You called for me?"

"Yes, take a seat."

I frown in concern. I wring my hands nervously and he finally looks up to me and smiles. "No need to be nervous, Edward." He finally abandons whatever he is working on me and folds his hands. "I saw the project that you submitted two weeks ago. It was impressive."

I grin widely.

He continues. "I took the liberty to apply in an Institute for your internship and shipped your assignments there."

My eyes shoot in surprise. "What?"

He shrugs. "Don't be surprised here, Edward. You have a talent and it shows in your work. So, anyway, they called me back and they have accepted. You can join them immediately after graduation. I think it is a great opportunity for you. After all, it's not every day you get to go to Paris."

My eyes shoot in surprise and I gape at him. "Paris?"

"Oh, yes. I guess I didn't mention it before. The internship is in Paris. I have known Prof. Miller there for years and he managed to make this arrangement for you."

I swallow hard and finally say, "I don't… I don't know what to say, sir."

He scoffs. "Say yes, of course."

"Thank you, sir, really. But I can't… I can't accept it."

His mouth tightens in a thin line. "Don't be hasty, Edward. I'll give you a week and you can answer me then. Think hard on what is important to you. Don't give up a chance like this so easily."

"My answer will remain the same," I say firmly and then rush out.

"Edward, you listen to me and listen well. You are not throwing this away. I have already made all the arrangements for you. You just have to get on the plane."

"And I told you, Carlisle, I'm not going. You can't force me."

"Don't call me that." He spits at me angrily. He runs his hands through his hair frustrated. "What do you want, Edward? You want to abandon all your hard work just because of a girl?"

"She's not just a girl," I yell at him. I take a deep breath to calm myself. "I'm not like you, Carlisle. I can't trade one woman for another so easily."

His eyes burn with fury and he snarls. "You watch your mouth, boy."

I just scoff. "I'm not going and that's my final answer."

He gets silent then and when l, finally, look him in the eyes, they are completely emotionless. "You. Are. Going. Edward." He spits out each word menacingly. He smirks at me then. "I own your life, remember?"

I squeeze my eyes shut, as the old memories start to resurface. When I finally open them, he's already gone.

"Are you leaving?" Bella asks, and her voice shakes with emotion.

My mind goes to my father's threat and I finally say, "I haven't decided."

"You've known this for a week. When were you going to tell me, Edward?"

A week! Jasper must have told her everything. Shit. I just sigh in frustration. "It's not that simple."

She snorts. "Isn't it?"

I immediately feel guilty for pushing her aside again and turn away from her hopeful gaze. I can see it in her eyes. She wants me to deny it, to tell her firmly that I'm not going to leave her. But when I still hesitate, she gasps.

"You're going to say yes. You've already decided." She says, matter-of-factly.

My heart hammers in my chest. I refuse to look her in the eyes out of fear. Tell her, tell her that you've already refused, my mind screams at me. But I remember Carlisle's cold gaze and my voice shakes. "I… I'm not."

She shakes her head. I can see that I have completely shattered her hope. She gazes at me and her eyes are shining with hurt. She squeezes her eyes shut as if she is in pain. When she opens them again, her eyes are cold and emotionless.

"Edward, I'm tired."

My eyes shoot up in surprise. "One day, she'll be tired of chasing after you," Jacob's words from the cliff resonate in my head and a chill goes down my body.

She continues. "I'm tired of being hurt. I'm tired of not being enough. I can't hold on any longer. I don't want to be in love with you anymore."

I gasp. My heart constricts and I feel my own hope seeping out of me slowly.

Her gaze is cold when she says, "You are holding me back, Edward. And if we continue like this, you will just drag me down."

I'm frozen where I stand. Her words break me down and hit me right where it hurts the most. I stand stock-still as she runs away from me. A stray tear trails down my cheek. A sardonic laugh leaves me. For the first time, it's her who is running away from me. I want to run after her but my body doesn't cooperate.

My breath hitches once and a sob breaks out. Bella's words echo in my head and I squeeze my eyes shut. I slide down the wall and drop my head in my hands.

"Edward, I'm tired." "You are holding me back, Edward." "I don't want to be in love with you anymore."

Each memory stabs me in the heart more and more. I sit there, leaning on the wall until my tears dry down. When I finally get up, I straighten up with conviction. I'm not giving up. I'll beg her if I have to, but I can't let her run away from me.

With that, I rush down my building and start toward the street. I notice a faint figure across the street. I start to rush forward to it. When I get closer though, I falter.

Bella is crouched down and hugging Jacob. He has his arms wrapped around her shoulder, while she is clutching at his shoulders desperately. He leans in further and whispers something at her ear. She nods gently. I want to run down there and break them up. I want to bash the dog's head into the street but I can't move. I'm frozen.

I watch helplessly as she slowly lays her head on his shoulder. He kisses the crown of her head once and then pulls her closer to him. I remain like this for a long while, standing there and watching them wrapped in each other. Finally, he says something at her ear again and upon her consent, he lifts her in his arms and starts toward his car. I simply stare as I watch Bella walk away from me in Jacob's arms.

My tears start again and I close my eyes, the images of Jacob and Bella fresh in my mind.

When I finally reach my dorm room, I simply walk to the bed and lie down. I can feel Jasper's gaze on me. But I ignore him and stare at the ceiling.

"One of these days, when you run away from her, you'll turn back to see that she's not running after you anymore, that she's tired to chase after you over and over." Bella has finally given up. She's not coming back anymore.

"I'll wait for that day." I scoff. I guess that day has arrived. Jacob certainly didn't waste time. I snort, then. I guess, neither did Bella.

I don't sleep all night, the thoughts of Jacob and Bella running wildly in my head. By the time morning comes, I've made up my mind. I call my professor and inform him that I'll be leaving soon for Paris.

So what did you think? Review and let me know.

Blog: rosescaressblog . wordpress . com

I'll see you in the next chapter.

~SunAndMoon42