90
Hours later, we're holed up in the fancy suite Bella booked for us. Jasper and Ben are staying with us because there's safety in numbers, and the press is already trying to find them. We've explained what's happening, and the girls are livid.
"There's no fu-reaking way I'm going anywhere near that woman," Alice spits. "I'll run before that happens."
"Agreed." Angela nods.
Red faces and clenched fists.
"It won't come to that," Bella assures them, but they don't look convinced. "We're going to take care of this. The right way."
"And if she keeps trying?" Ben asks. "Is there any possibility that she could take it to court and win?"
"We will do everything in our power to make sure it doesn't come to that. She isn't coming anywhere close to the girls. Bella's already found a family lawyer to represent us, and he'll be here tomorrow afternoon."
"Laurent is the best of the best." Bella stands up and gathers the dishes. "Now, all three of the humans need to get some sleep. My parents will be here in a little while, and by the time you wake up, we'll have a plan ready."
We all try to argue, but I give up easily.
I'm beyond tired. Exhaustion brought on by stress has settled deep in my bones, but stress is what is keeping me wide awake. I fear what's coming. My worst fear that Gianna would try to ruin our lives is coming to fruition.
Bella joins me once the girls quiet down. "We got this, Edward," she whispers softly, running her hand up and down my back, lulling me to sleep. "I won't let anyone hurt my family."
My sleep is fitful, and I wake up the second Bella gets up to answer the door for Renee. They try to insist that I lie back down, but I want to hear this plan they're going to put together. We sit on the bed while Renee explains to us we have done nothing wrong.
"There's plenty of proof that you and Bella met the day she came to your house. Before they hired her at V.C., she was busy at the White House tending to her duties as the first daughter. Aside from your parents briefly meeting her at the banquet years ago, there weren't any times where the two of you would have been close." She reaches out and squeezes my fingers. "Bella hasn't visited Florida in over ten years, and we have proof that you've never left the state. It was physically impossible for the two of you to have an affair while you were still married to Gianna."
Just hearing my ex-wife's name makes my stomach roll.
"We'll meet with Laurent tomorrow." Bella nods in agreement. "But you need to get some sleep before then. We can't afford for you to be exhausted right now."