For the rest of the day I sat completely perplexed at my desk. Not safe...especially not here...don't give up on us? What did it all mean.

I spent the rest of the afternoon going over the last few weeks in my mind, recalling conversations I'd had with Jacob, things he'd said or done, searching for answers. When I left the Rising Son at the end of the day, I saw the Bentley waiting out front and waved at Peter, who smiled back. I had issues with his boss, but Peter wasn't to blame for them.

It was hot and muggy outside. Miserable. I would need to go to the chemist to pick up some claritine. When I left the drugstore, Peter and one other was waiting just outside the door at the curb, shadowing me. As I turned the corner back toward the building to start the trip home, I saw Jacob step out to the street with Ava. His hand was at the small of her back, leading her toward a sleek black Mercedes sedan I recognized as one of his. She was smiling. His expression was inscrutable.

Horrified, I couldn't move or look away. I stood there in the middle of the crowded sidewalk, my stomach twisting with grief and anger and a terrible, awful feeling of betrayal.

He looked up and saw me, freezing in place just as I had. another diver of whom I had never before met, opened the back door and Ava disappeared into the car. Jacob remained where he was, his gaze locked with mine.

What's all this talk about 'Us'? I paster my fakest smile and flip him the bird. I walked back to the car Peter was at. "Are you just going to stalk me for the rest of my life? Becuase it's creepy."

"I don't disagree. But Jacob has asked me too watch over you closely."

"What are you instructions in terms of bathroom breaks. Shall I leave the stall open for you?" He seemed uncomfortable now by the conversation. "What if I gave you the slip? Hmm. Would you give up then."

"No Emma."

"What if i killed someone and stayed at the crime scene. Would you stay too?"

"Yes."

I roll my eyes and get into the back of the car feeling defeated. I tried calling Jacob from my phone, but he blocked me! "Hey Peter. Can I use your phone for a moment?"

Without taking his eyes of the road, he passed it back to me. I dialed Jacob and he answered instantly. "Peter, what is it? Is she okay?" he said rushed.

"She as in me or she as in Ava? Because you should know how Ava is."

"Emma this isn't a go-"

"No Jacob. That's enough. Either you meet me Central Park at 5 pm today or you've lost me forever. No more elevator, or hookups at you house. Completely cut ties."

"Okay. 5 pm?"

"Yes," I breath into the phone, slightly shocked he agreed so quickly.

"Seen you then." He hangs up the phone abruptly and I hand it back to Peter.

--

Later in the park, I meet with Jacob close to the center, "Come for a walk with me," he suggested in an unemotional voice, taking my hand.

I didn't answer. I couldn't think of a way to protest, but I instantly knew that I wanted to. I didn't like this. This is bad, this is very bad, the voice in my head repeated again and again.

But he didn't wait for an answer. He pulled me along toward the east side, where the trees became forest like. I followed unwillingly, trying to think through the panic. It was what I wanted, I reminded myself. The chance to talk it all through. So why was the panic choking me?

We'd gone only a few steps into the trees when he stopped. Jacob leaned against a tree and stared at me, his expression unreadable.

"Okay, let's talk," I said. It sounded braver than it felt.

He took a deep breath. "Emma, I'm sorry about all this."

I took a deep breath, too. I thought I was prepared. But I still had to say. "I'm so confused."

"Me too." His answer confused me. He stared back coldly. "I need to tell you something. I wish more than anything it didn't have to be this way but it does."

With a roll of nausea, I realized I'd misunderstood the purpose of our meeting. I shook my head back and forth mechanically, trying to clear it. He waited without any sign of impatience. It took a few minutes before I could speak.

"Okay," I said. "It doesn't, we don't have to let it."

"No. You're not understanding Emma. I'm not right for you. My world, it's not the right place for you."

"Where you are is the right place for me."

"I'm no good for you, Emma."

"Don't be ridiculous." I wanted to sound angry, but it just sounded like I was begging. "You're the very best part of my life."

"My world is not for you," he said grimly.

"What happened with the media - that was nothing, Jacob! Nothing! I'm completely fine."

"You're right," he agreed. "It was exactly what was to be expected. But it shouldn't be. I don't want that for you."

"I don't care. You said that you loved me no matter what."

"Emma," he winced.

"No! I didn't mean it when I broke up with you. I was just angry I swear, please please!" I shouted, furious, the words exploding out of me - somehow it still sounded like a plea. "I know I said you were breaking my heart, but it's the complete opposite. You are my heart and my soul. I love you."

He took a deep breath and stared, unseeingly, at the ground for a long moment. His mouth twisted the tiniest bit. When he finally looked up, his eyes were different, harder - like the liquid gold had frozen solid. "Bella, I don't want to be with you." He spoke the words slowly and precisely, his cold eyes on my face, watching as I absorbed what he was really saying.

There was a pause as I repeated the words in my head a few times, sifting through them for their real intent. "You... don't... want me?" I tried out the words, confused by the way they sounded, placed in that order.

"No."

I stared, uncomprehending, into his eyes. He stared back without apology. His eyes were like topaz - hard and clear and very deep. I felt like I could see into them for miles and miles, yet nowhere in their bottomless depths could I see a contradiction to the word he'd spoken.

"Your lying," I answer numbly. I was surprised by how calm and reasonable my voice sounded. It must be because I was so empty. I couldn't realize what he was telling me. It still didn't make any sense.

He looked away into the trees as he spoke again. "I don't love you anymore Emma."

"Don't." My voice was just a whisper now; awareness was beginning to seep through me, trickling like acid through my veins. "Don't do this."

"I can't do this anymore...Pretend." The last words sound like he was writhing in pain.

"If... that's what you want."

He nodded once.

My whole body went numb. I couldn't feel anything below the neck.

"I would like to ask one favor, though, if that's not too much," he said.

I wonder what he saw on my face, because something flickered across his own face in response. But, before I could identify it, he'd composed his features into the same serene mask.

"Anything," I vowed, my voice faintly stronger.

As I watched, his frozen eyes melted. The gold became liquid again, molten, burning down into mine with an intensity that was overwhelming.

"Don't do anything reckless or stupid," he ordered, no longer detached. "Do you understand what I'm saying?"

I just stare bewildered. He doesn't love me but wants me to be safe!?

His eyes cooled, the distance returned. "And move on. Please."

I shook my head again. "I can't," I whispered.

I was dizzy; it was hard to concentrate. I tried to breathe normally. I needed to concentrate, to find a way out of this nightmare. "Goodbye, Emma," he said in the same quiet, peaceful voice.

"Wait!" I choked out the word, reaching for him, willing my deadened legs to carry me forward.

I thought he was reaching for me, too. But his cold hands locked around my wrists and pinned them to my sides. He leaned down, and pressed his lips very lightly to my forehead for the briefest instant. My eyes closed.

"Take care of yourself," he breathed, cool against my skin.

And then he walked away. No! No! No!

With shaky legs, ignoring the fact that my action was useless, I followed him back, he was walking faster and the tears in my eyes blurred my vision, so I kept tumbling over things. Please come back! I tried to yell, but everything was numb. Especially my heart. Then he was gone, gone ro my sight and gone from my life.

I had barely even felt it when something hard hit me over the head, and everything went black.