Thank you to Team Harpy.

No one wants to hear from me so I will see you at the bottom.

Chapter 36

Wait, no. No, this isn't. No!

No. This… What am I looking at here? I frantically look for a way to move to another picture and find an arrow and click on that.

I can't breathe. The eye color is different. This guy has green eyes and his hair is all wrong but… no. Maybe they are related but why wouldn't Masen tell me about his rich cousin or whatever? I mean that would make sense, right? That second honeymoon was extravagant. And he's always taking up for Edward.

The jawline though. That would have to be some strong genetic content. I trace it shakily then I notice the mole and the way his nose is ever so crooked from a sports injury Masen told me he got in school.

This doesn't make sense. I can't… I just can't. I see the other tabs open and I see Whitlock Industries. Whitlock. Taken over by Cullen, Inc. Whitlock. Cullen. Whitlock Cullen. I see a link to the Cullen family whatever. I look over it blindly until a name pops out at me.

Esme Masen Platt Cullen.

Masen Edward Whitlock.

I look around frantically and grab the wastebasket just in time to vomit violently in it. Over and over again until I'm dry heaving and choking on nothing more than this massive lump in my throat.

I straighten up and woodenly clean out the wastebasket, spraying disinfectant in it. Then some more by the desk to cover the stench. I look at his face smiling in a posed picture with his three-piece suit that probably cost more than anything I've ever owned.

In an uncharacteristic fit of rage, I pick the monitor up and smash it down on the floor, glass splintering all over the wood planks. I collapse to my knees right beside the carnage ignoring the sharp pieces stabbing my legs and hands. The stinging doesn't compare to the sword that just sliced my heart in two.

Live by the sword; die by the sword slips unbidden into my mind. The Sunday school lesson about using peaceful means whenever possible is ironic seeing the mess I've made- not only here tonight but since I met Masen.

Oh God, not Masen. Masen doesn't exist. Masen was someone that Cullen made up to deceive me. What I don't understand is why?

Oh God, why!

I can't breathe again. I'm… I need... I crawl over polarized glass to reach my purse and I violently pour everything out of it until I close my hand around the long-forgotten little orange vial with my name on it. I dry swallow two of the half milligram tablets and let my skin and my heart bleed all over the floor until I'm numb or I pass out whichever comes first.

Luckily, it doesn't take long and the last thought I have is of Masen kissing me goodbye earlier today and telling me he loves me.

What a fucking lie.

My head is aching and my mouth is dry when I awake hours later but I'm calmer, the medicine still clinging to my system. I get up and survey the damage and start setting it to rights. I make a mental note to replace the monitor later today. I clean the floors carefully and my little cuts even more carefully. Nothing too deep thankfully- at least not on the surface. As I come out of my bathroom I see our wedding photos but I look away not wanting to clean up any more glass today. There's been enough carnage for a lifetime.

My stomach growls but the thought of food makes me nauseous and my throat is raw enough without vomiting again. I sit listlessly on the couch for what seems like hours when my mind clears up enough to realize that I need answers.

I pick up the phone and call Hotel Murano. "Is Edward Cullen in please?" I try to keep my voice even but I hear it crack.

"Yes ma'am. I'll connect you to his assistant."

I hang up because Alice is still working for him part-time and this is one of her days. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday until noon. It's Wednesday. I don't know how deep her deception runs but I do know she knows a lot more than she is saying.

I go shower and dress before grabbing my keys and hiking my way up to the Cullen Manor.

My in-law's home. I'm suddenly glad I took another pill. I'm probably gonna need them for a few days.

Lonnie answers with a warm smile. "Hello, Mrs. Whitlock. To what do I owe this pleasure today?"

I try not to react. "Call me Bella, if you don't mind."

He searches my face but instead of commenting on my lackluster mood, he nods and acquiesces.

"Bella."

"I'm actually here to see Mrs. Cullen if she's around?"

"Um, which one?"

Of course, there is more than one in this house. There are four, five counting me- if my marriage is even legal that is.

"Elizabeth," I choke out.

"Of course, right this way."

He leads me to the den where Elizabeth and Ed are eating breakfast. Haven't these people ever heard of using their dining room? Of course, who am I to judge? We sometimes eat in the garage. The great Edward Cullen slumming it with the Swans brings a small grimace to my face.

"Bella? Is something wrong, Dear?"

I blink at her astuteness.

"Why? Don't I look it?" My voice sounds weak, even to me.

"Quite frankly, no. Please tell us what's wrong."

"So what's the problem? Trouble with your new record company?" Ed asks.

"Oh no. That's running smooth as silk."

"Ed not every problem has to do with business." To me, she says, "Bella, sit down."

"If I seemed a bit intense when I came in here it's because I do have a slight problem that I need help with and I was told that Edward might be able to help me. He's your grandson right?"

"Well, of course, you know Edward." Ed laughs.

"I do?" I reply hesitantly.

"Well yes, I saw you two leave this very room together. You had a question about your recording company."

I think back to that day a few weeks ago when he escorted me out rather quickly and I lectured him about not being married to only half of him. Little did I know.

"Oh, right. I do. Of course, I do. I could use a little more financial advice, that's what I meant."

"I think you should probably ask someone else. Edward has a lot on his plate right now."

You ain't even kidding.

"And I had better be going." Ed kisses Elizabeth's cheek and bids me goodbye, leaving us alone.

"Actually I.. uh… wish I knew Edward better."

" I adore him, but don't get me started."

"No, no, please I'd love to hear about him. I find him fascinating." I eagerly find a seat next to her, needing any insight to this stranger I'm married to.

"Well, in many ways he was a classic privileged child. His parents are Carlisle and Esme you know. The best education in boarding schools which really prevented any real intimacy between him and his parents. He was a playboy in Europe and a tennis pro. He loved to ski the Alps then he came home and promptly fell in love with Kate. They were married but she was in love with Garrett and left him soon after. She never committed to him fully and they are happier apart. He threw himself into the family business and fought James tooth and nail for control. He finally became CEO."

"Now he's married to Angela?"

"Yes, a marriage if not made in heaven then in the boardroom."

"They're not happy?" God, why do I sound hopeful?

"They make a good show of it. He is trying valiantly."

"You love him a lot don't you?"

"I love him deeply. He's not without certain faults of course."

I'll say...

"He seems so charming."

"He is, but he can be very determined. He and his grandfather both will use any means necessary to get what they want."

"Sometimes people like that find out they don't want what they have when they have it."

"The chase is everything. That is certainly true of Edward on occasion." She confirms.

"I see."

"There are two very different sides of Edward; A joyful exuberant part of him that I'm afraid has become submerged beneath his duty and responsibility to the family. To make his mark he has had to emphasize his conservative side."

"Does that joyful part ever sneak out? For instance, do you know if he was ever interested in music?"

"How perceptive that you should ask. As a matter of fact, when he was in high school at the boarding school he went through a phase of rock and roll. His mother had given him classical piano lessons around the time he was ten so that quite horrified her." She laughs. "Poor Edward, he hated those lessons. I'm sorry I'm just going on and on…"

"No, it's fine but I do have to go, but I'll be back."

"I look forward to it, Dear."

I make a hasty exit because I need to get out of here before I explode. And I'm not too sure this mansion can withstand the aftermath.

***B***

I'm sitting on the couch staring unseeingly at the fireplace when the door opens. I shake my head to try to clear the drug-induced cobwebs because I need to be on my A-game.

"Ugh, for all the nights for you not to join us at Mac's." Alice breezes past me.

"Oh yeah, somethin' happen?" I try for casual.

"Only the most brilliant performance of Jasper's career, so far. He did this impromptu concert for Mac's niece's birthday and he was amazing. And I'm only a little biased." She walks into the kitchen but I still hear her muffled words. "Is there any food in here? I'm starving. I was so enthralled, I forgot to eat."

"Check the fridge. I don't think there's much." I call back to her.

"We really need to go on a grocery run. A person could starve in this place." She comes back in with some yogurt and bottled water.

"So, sit down Girlfriend. Tell me everything I missed."

She giggles and sits at my feet, drawing her legs up and making herself entirely too comfortable for my liking. She gossips about the night's activities with me and I only catch about every other word.

"So many people came up to ask me if Jasper had a release date and I told them it was already released so look for a big jump tomorrow on the charts."

"We've got a breakthrough artist on our hands alright." I agree, trying to inject enthusiasm in my voice.

"Something wrong?" She asks. How perceptive of her.

"What makes you think something is wrong, Alice?"

"I don't know. You have this weird look on your face and you never call me Alice anymore."

She looks to her right and sees the pic of Cullen and Kate on the coffee table. "Bella, is this about Masen and Kate? It was a long time ago. Masen loves you."

"Yeah, I know." I force a smile. "Actually I was wondering about Edward Cullen."

"Why?" The chipper look falls from Alice's face.

"Well, he's been so elusive. Here we are camped out on his property and we never see him. Everyone else has been up here but no Edward."

"So I guess he's busy." She deflects.

"Yeah, running an international conglomerate. Keeping that new wife of his happy. I...uh… betcha she's some kind of demanding…"

"Ya know what? Let's not ruin a perfectly enjoyable evening by bringing up Angela."

"Are they happy?" I whisper. "Edward and Angela?"

"Who knows? Who cares?" Alice exclaims. "What are you trying to do, torture me here?"

"Of course not. I was asking a simple question is all. If it makes you uncomfortable…"

"I just don't like Angela, that's all."

"Then we won't discuss her."

"Good." Alice looks relieved.

"So why did Jasper sing tonight?"

"I just told you it was Mac's niece's birthday… what's the matter with you tonight?"

"I must be so exhausted. I was just about to turn in before you showed up."

"You want me to go?" She looks hurt.

"Do you mind?"

"No, of course not. I have to run some paperwork up to the Cullen's anyway." She gets up and gathers her things, looking down at me. "You sure you're okay?"

"Fine. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Okay, see you tomorrow." She shoots me one last concerned look and heads for the door. I clamp my hand over my mouth so she won't hear the sob breaking loose. I let go when I hear her footsteps fade.

***E***

"Looks like a storm tonight," I mentioned to Alice. We're finishing up some light work here at home.

"Maybe that's why I'm so jumpy." She slams some paperwork on Grandfather's desk.

"Where's Angela?" I ask her. She hasn't been sniffing about much today. She's kind of like a toddler; when she's quiet there will probably be a mess to clean up.

"How the hell should I know? I mean, how many of your wives do I need to juggle for you?"

"The juggling is just about over."

"So you keep saying. Meanwhile, my nose keeps growing from all the lies I'm having to tell my best friend."

"Two more days. That's all."

"So you keep saying." She repeats.

"Cross my heart and hope to die. A few hours ago, Mac gave me some very interesting and highly incriminating information. This birthday bash of Angela's will be her last run as Mrs. Edward Cullen."

Alice gets up and bombards me with questions. "What? You finally have the goods on her? Why wait? Come on."

"Not just yet. I'm thinking over my strategy."

"What strategy?" She sighs and rubs her temples. "I'm getting a bad feeling again."

"Never corner a wild animal. You see if I present this after I give her this big party and give her time to think over her options- few as they are- I'm hoping maybe she will bow out gracefully."

"You have an answer for everything, don't you? I'm beginning to think you are enjoying this double life of yours."

"No. I couldn't be more clear about what I want. Bella. I'm gonna tell her the whole story and throw myself on her mercy. And god willing she will forgive me."

"Good that's good. And listen I have a serious gut feeling that you need to tell her now. Before Angela."

I sit up straight. "You know I was debating that when I went looking for her this morning but she was out."

"Well, she's there now. She's been in this really weird mood asking questions about Edward and Kate and Angela and I don't know, it started giving me the creeps. I think you had better go check it out."

"Yeah, I think I will. Lock up when you're done here."

"Okay let me know how it goes."

As I rush to the cottage all I can do is pray I'm not too late because I know I will lose her forever if she finds out before I can tell her.

Playlist: Wake Me Up- performed by Madilyn Bailey.

Impossible- performed by Shantelle.

Crazy- performed by Daniela Andrade.

Do not worry about Bella and her Xanax. She's using them as a crutch right now which is not responsible girls and boys so don't try this at home. She won't need them for long, I promise.