87

Bella got her way with the cars, and I thought things would die down with the party planning, but that was just the beginning. She got away with booking a banquet hall for the party because the deposit she placed behind my back was nonrefundable. That turned out to be a blessing in disguise, considering the house isn't big enough to host the extensive guest list Alice and Angela have put together.

The surprise trip to find the perfect dresses that ended up costing more than an entire wardrobe was done underneath my nose. She told me she was taking them to V.C. to visit with Jane but failed to include the fact that they'd flown in a designer to fit them with custom-made gowns. I was a little perturbed when I found out, but I quickly let it go after seeing the excited looks on my girls' faces.

I'm currently holed up in my work office, trying to get as much work done as I can before taking the rest of the week off, when Bella drops by.

From the look on her face, I can tell it won't be an enjoyable visit. I stand up, ready to fight whatever ludicrous thing she wants to do now, but she stops me.

"I'm not here to argue about the girls' party." She pulls a tablet out of her purse. "You weren't picking up your phone, and I didn't want to call in, considering ..."

I shuffle through the mess on my desk and find my phone. Thirty-two missed calls and twice as many text messages, mostly from Bella but a few from Angela and Alice. Panic sets in until I realize the girls aren't with Bella, and she wouldn't be here if something was seriously wrong with them.

"We had an emergency budget meeting, and I put it on silent. What's going on?"

"Have you seen the news this afternoon?"

"No, like I said, I've been stuck in a boardroom most of the day."

Bella sighs. "Gianna's gone to the press." She hands me the tablet. "She's claiming that we've been having a secret affair for years and that's why she left you."

"That's crazy!" I exclaim. "I'm the one who filed for divorce."

"I know, but she's insinuating that I've used my title to run her out of town and that you've been keeping the girls from her."

"That couldn't be further from the truth! I offered a fair custody agreement, and she walked away."

"I know, Edward," Bella says softly. "She's accusing you of brainwashing Alice and Angela against her and trying to force them to choose Eternal Life."

I have to sit down before my legs give out.