A/N: Sorry this took so long. There are a couple of conversations that I really wanted to get right and spent forever tweaking and writing. Okay, last chapter, let's go!

CW: References to a situation with questionable consent framed in a really victim blaming manner

EPOV

May

It had been a week and a half since I had last spoken to Bella beyond a few texts here and there. Now that finals were over and I was riding on the plane back to Washington for the summer, I was trying to think about the talk that we needed to have.

I'd said those words, the words that were supposed to make people nervous. I hadn't meant it like that at the time, but Bella's instant agreement that we did need to talk caused my gut to fill with dread in a way that hadn't seemed to have happened to her.

And so, I spent that miserable plane ride, a ride I was doing for the fourth time in a year compared to Bella's zero, thinking everything over. I was dreading this talk but it needed to happen. I just wasn't sure what I was going to say or what she was going to say. I still loved her, still wanted her, but it hadn't felt like we'd actually been in a relationship in a while. People in relationships talked and touched, were happy to see each other and went out of their ways to make sure it happened. And yet, Bella hadn't visited me once in the year she'd been in college. She'd visited me once while she was in high school but I guess once she got out into the world, she didn't need me anymore. She'd certainly shown that much. Because apparently, as much as I still wanted her, missed her, loved her, I wasn't what she wanted. She'd rather get shit faced and do whatever with Jacob than talk to me. She was apparently scared to talk to me.

"I'm in Jacob's room right now. We never go in here. Normally we're out there, on the couch or on the floor but now we're in his room."

Her words, so full of implication from unfiltered drunken honesty, had been ringing in my ears since I'd heard them, making me feel sicker and sicker each time. I tried not to dwell on it too much. She'd been incoherently drunk when she'd called me. I couldn't even be sure that's what she'd said, nevermind what exactly it was that she meant. She had said that he was right there with her, that they were in his bedroom together while she was completely fall-down drunk. I was kind of hoping that they'd been hooking up all year, that she'd been cheating on me. Because the other reason she'd lie about him being in there with her, that she wouldn't want to tell me about him herding her into his room, alone and drunk when apparently what she'd wanted was privacy to talk to me, that made me feel even sicker.

Maybe that was why the idea that I was riding this plane to the end of my relationship was slowly becoming something I could accept. The alternative was somehow even worse.

So that was how I spent the plane ride back to Washington. I was lost in my thoughts, thinking of what I'd say to her, what she might say to me, and how I wanted to handle anything and everything. As much as I wanted her, I didn't want this. And clearly, she didn't want me anymore.

By the time I got to the car ride with my parents, just my parents because I hadn't even bothered to ask her if she would be there, I had made peace with the inevitable outcome. At least, I had made peace at the surface level. It was still probably going to destroy me but at least I wouldn't be in this purgatory anymore. My parents asked about how the rest of the semester went, how my finals were, if I was happy with my grades, etc. I answered minimally, still somewhat lost in my own head. When they asked about Bella I simply shrugged and told them something to the effect that we'd see. Once I eventually got to Forks, I decided that no matter what, I did need the truth, the whole story. I needed to know what had happened. I needed to know how much of a fool I was and how long I had been playing that role. Had she spent spring break with him, somewhere fun? Was that 'prank' really just an overly elaborate cover in case I found out what was actually going on? Was she too busy with him on Valentine's day to come visit me? Was our last Christmas together actually one of joy or was it me being sentimental for something that was already gone? Was he willing to pick me up from the airport all the way back in October because he knew it was done already? That would certainly explain his reaction to the love bite I gave her.

My ears turned red in shame. How much of that time did they spend laughing at my expense? When she called me up she referenced our sex life in the vaguest of terms with him right there. How much did he know? The most insecure part of myself briefly wondered how I compared but an even more insecure part didn't want to know. I was in full on sulk mode lying on my childhood bed. My parents had already taken note of my melancholy and tried to offer support. When I came down for dinner that night I noticed that the already modest liquor cabinet had been cleaned out. Once again I was filled with shame.

I didn't see her that night, for once not in a desperate rush to see her. Desperate, that was a good word for me. Desperate and foolish. She texted me a couple of times, asking when I got back, letting me know she was home, and even at one point hinting that she could join my parents on their way to the airport. I ignored each one of these. Eventually, I did message her back though not explicitly in reference to anything she'd said.

E: You free tomorrow? I need to see you in person

She responded back in the affirmative almost instantly. I was equal parts surprised and bitterly amused. Of course she'd go back to being her usual, prompt, responsive self at this point. Maybe she wasn't completely done. Maybe she wanted to have her cake and eat it too. Maybe she thought I could be her hometown summer boyfriend and then she could do whatever else she wanted for the rest of the year.

Or maybe she was just that eager to dump me.

I looked at her response again and a cold chuckle escaped me. That last assumption seemed more and more likely each time I read it.

B: Absolutely. I've got work until 2 so right after that? If that works for you?

It occurred to me that I'd never actually confronted her about everything I'd learned during my brief times in Forks this past year. She didn't know that I knew that she no longer worked at Newton's. Regardless, I confirmed that two in the afternoon the next day would work for me and even promised to pick her up from work. Then I insisted when she tried to say it wasn't necessary. I was probably being a bit of a petty asshole at that point, but I didn't really care. I didn't want to make this easy for her.

The next day I arrived at Newton's Sporting Goods and Outdoor Supplies at 1:38 pm. The plan was to catch her in one of her smaller lies but surprisingly, she was wearing her work apron and was standing behind the counter. What little relief I had at the sight was squashed by the guy leaning over the counter towards her: Jacob Black.

I was past sickness, discomfort, and despair. Instead, I was blood boiling-ly mad at the sight. How dare he. How dare she. How dare they. I slammed the door to my car shut and stomped up to the entrance. Then, in a moment of clarity, I decided to be a tad more subtle. After all, I wanted answers and the easiest way to make sure I got the truth was to be there when they didn't know I was.

I opened the door as softly as one could open a creaky door with a bell over it and casually walked into one of the side aisles, trying not to draw attention to myself. I stopped at a spot where the two lovebirds wouldn't be able to see me but I could still hear them just fine. Well, Bella was speaking too softly for me to hear but I could hear him just fine. His tone was smug and matter-of-fact.

"Not too bad. You told me how much you didn't like talking to Edward, which you made pretty clear already when you hung up on him then turned off your phone. You said I make you happy, you even called me your sunshine. Then we passed out right there in my bed after you said how much you loved being in my arms."

Bella responded quietly but I don't think I would've been able to hear her shout over the sound of the blood rushing in my ears. I had my smoking gun. She didn't want me. She wanted him. She spent the night with him. She finished talking and then he continued on.

"Well, you woke me up calling my name in this breathy voice. Once I was awake you practically begged me to kiss you." At that point the rage was slowly losing its effectiveness at keeping everything else at bay. I didn't want to hear anything else. I was worried I'd throw up if I heard any more of them reminiscing over things I thought I'd be the only one to experience. I left my hiding place but he kept on talking.

"I know you've got a boyfriend but I don't hold that against you. I understand. High school relationships are hard to let go of but you seem pretty over it and it doesn't seem like he's really there for you."

"Jake…we can't…it's not," she started to sputter. I guess she really did want to have her cake and eat it too. I briefly wondered who had it worse: him, the dirty little secret, or me, the fool who thought he was her one and only. She stopped talking and her eyes went wide, her face suddenly ashen, once she caught sight of me.

"Edward," she whimpered out pathetically.

"Hey Bella," I greeted wearing a wide, cold grin as a mask on my face. I rested my arms on the counter and leaned towards her, forcing him to the side. I didn't care if she was stringing him along, he wasn't innocent in this.

"I decided to drop by early to surprise you. Are you surprised? I mean I guess you must be. Since I seem to be interrupting your first date of the day."

She was shaking her head and her eyes were starting to water. Her lips were starting to tremble. I'd known Bella for years and knew that she was doing her damnedest not to cry right that moment. But I wanted her to cry. I wanted her to hurt like I did.

"So, you ready for that talk now or do we still need to wait for the last," I checked my watchless wrist, "couple of minutes so that you can pretend that you were actually at work all those times you blew me off?"

"Edward. Please. I've got eight minutes left in my shift. Can we please talk then. Not here. Not now." Then she had the nerve to look at him. "Jake, I really need you to leave. Please. Go home. I-I think we've got some stuff to talk about too. I'm really sorry." She looked at me again and then averted her eyes down to the floor. "I'm really sorry to the both of you."

My jaw tightened in response to her remorse that was split between the both of us. "I'll be in my car. Out in the parking lot. Try not to give Forks too much of a show while I'm out there you two." Mask firmly in place, I winked at the both of them and then headed out, letting the door shut loudly behind me.

Seven minutes later, Bella hopped into the passenger seat of my car. I'd actually been a little surprised when Jacob had left the store only seconds after me. He didn't look too pleased and she looked downright devastated. I felt a pang of sympathy out of habit but shoved it down. Her lies were just finally blowing up in her face.

I somehow found myself driving to a familiar turnoff from the main road. Thinking it appropriate that this be where we end things, I walked the familiar path through the woods with Bella silently trailing right behind me. After a few minutes we reached the clearing that held so many memories between the two of us. This little meadow in the middle of the woods was where we had our first real date, our first kiss, said our first "I love you" and where we first made love. We spent countless hours enjoying each other right here. And now this is where we'll close this chapter of our lives and move on. I guess there was something to be grateful for that we lasted as long as we did. Or maybe I should have spent the near entirety of high school and half of college exploring my options more. That probably would have hurt less.

I stopped in the middle of the field and turned towards her. I could tell that she was trying to look strong but her too-apparent devastation was bleeding through. Her lips were pursed but still trembled. She kept blinking more than usual in a clear attempt to hold back the tears. Her big, expressive eyes showed nothing but sadness and remorse. But it was too little too late. She made her choices. Now I just wanted to know how the hell we ended up here and then we could go.

"I'm so sorry Ed-" she began in a shaky voice but I cut her off.

"Save it. No. I'm so sick of this! You have spent the past year blowing me off and lying to me and stringing me along. If you wanted out, you should've just said something. You could've saved me from wasting my time waiting around for you and made things so much simpler for yourself. You're a terrible liar Bella. You always have been. Even with a year's worth of practice doing pretty much nothing but, you're still a terrible liar."

I paused for a moment to catch my breath. My chest was heaving in anger, so much anger and frustration and hurt. And she had the nerve to look upset. This was all her doing. How dare she look as devastated as she did. If I didn't have his words floating through my head, I'd almost be tempted to go to her to offer some comfort. But his words were in my ears, buzzing around my brain, fuelling my anger and tamping down every ounce of sympathy I had for almost didn't matter that I still loved her so much. But she didn't even bother to try to interject, to say something in her defense, something to make this all better. And that fuelled me even more so I got petty and mean.

"So how long have you two been fucking anyways? I think you owe me that much at least. How long have you been making a fool out of me?"

She finally met my eyes at that. She had the nerve to look insulted. "Edward. We haven't-we didn't-we never-"

"Oh please. Like that isn't what you were doing over spring break?"

"He wasn't even-"

"Or winter break for that matter. While you were 'working'. I ran into Mrs. Newton. I know you haven't been there since last summer."

"No. I wasn't I was-"

"Or Valentine's Day. God, what an idiot I was that I thought you would actually want to see me at some point. No, you were 'too busy' hanging out with your 'friends' playing hilarious pranks on each other."

"I told you about-"

"Did it start even before school? Is that why you didn't go to Stanford?"

"I didn't get into Stanford."

"YES YOU DID!" I shouted at the top of my voice. "Yes. You did. I ran into Mike Newton over spring break. He was surprised we were still together since you turned down Stanford to stay gave him some weak reason even he wasn't too stupid to believe and he assumed that things had fizzled out between us. You turned down a top tier school and then lied to me about it."

"Because I couldn't go!" she interjected. Her face was red and her eyes were puffy and swollen. I could tell she was still holding back the tears. She repeated in a quieter, almost defeated voice, "I couldn't go to Stanford. I couldn't afford it. I could barely afford UDub."

"Then why lie about it to everyone? Except Mike freaking Newton of course."

"Mike saw the letter on accident. I didn't mean for him to know. I didn't mean for anyone to know. What did it matter that I got in? I couldn't go anyways. And then you and Charlie would just try to make it work. I didn't need Charlie doing something crazy like mortgaging the house or something. And thank god he didn't after-"

She stopped abruptly as though a few words she hadn't meant to say had already slipped out.

"After what?" I asked?

"Nothing. It's nothing." Her voice had shifted to almost a forced cheeriness that I suddenly realized she'd been using a lot for the past year. It was like she was working so hard to cover up what was actually there that she swung over too far. It was a too-casual tone that wouldn't have been so noticeable if we hadn't just been shouting at each other. It certainly wasn't noticeable when we were talking about our day to day lives over the phone.

"Bella, what's going on?"

Her face fell. Her lip began to tremble and finally a single tear slipped through. And then another. And another. And another. Then she shook her head no and her face slipped back into a forced sort of neutral despite the tears that continued flowing.

"Bella, did something happen with Charlie?" And suddenly the dam broke and she crumbled before my eyes. In a choked, broken voice she explained that he'd gone to the doctor right before she left for school and was diagnosed shortly after. She explained that he went through multiple rounds of treatment that did little more than make him sick. She explained that his insurance barely covered it and that he did end up having to take a second mortgage out on the house and hadn't been able to help her with school nearly as much as she'd been counting on. She told me about getting a second job at some night club that paid good tips to check the coat room and bus tables. She told me about how her visits to the financial aid office always left her with more homework but never more money. She told me about how she'd barely managed to scrape by in her classes but had somehow manage to pass just well enough that she hadn't lost her scholarship outright but was told me about all the trips home to take care of Charlie and working odd jobs around town for extra cash since Newton's didn't need her help. She told me how she spent spring break sleeping on a cot in the hospital while he got surgery. She told me about all of the heartache and stress she'd been going through. She apologized for not telling me it all before. She apologized for never visiting because she couldn't afford the plane ticket. She apologized that I had to fly so often and then she told me she didn't want to burden me even more by making me fly to her. She apologized for getting too close to another guy long before she crossed a line. She apologized for crossing the line. She told me that she was sorry and that she missed me and that she wanted to go back to when things were simple and we could just be.

By the end of it she was in my arms, her body shaking with shuddering sobs. I rubbed her back trying to soothe her as she let out nearly a year's worth of stress and grief. But even so, I still had the niggling sense of betrayal in the back of my head. I pulled away once she started to calm.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do," she motioned to the wet spot on my shirt, "that."

"That's fine. But Bella, why didn't you tell me?"

"I couldn't-I didn't want-I just couldn't. Besides, you were busy enough. You didn't need to worry about me too. Your-your classes have been really tough this year. I know that. I didn't need to add this on. Besides, Charlie didn't really want anyone to know. He didn't even want me to know. He didn't want anyone making a big deal out of it."

I stared for a moment in disbelief. Only this girl could run herself this ragged trying not to make a big deal out of things. And unfortunately, that made the anger disappear. Now, along with the newfound grief, there was only betrayal and hurt. It wasn't that she had gotten bored of me, she just had cut me out during a hard time and found comfort in someone else.

"So you couldn't go to me. But you could go to him?"

"It wasn't like that. I swear. We never-well-"

"Just tell me. Please. Why could you go to him but not to me?"

"Because he was there!" Her eyes widened in surprise at her outburst. "He was just…there. And he didn't push and we could just hang out and things could be good for a little bit. He was just a good friend."

I nodded, I felt the shards in my chest as the words came closer to being. I needed to know but god did I not want to.

"So when did things change?" I asked in an even, steady voice.

"I didn't mean-it was an acciden-No. Sorry. I mean, it was the night that you called me and I was really drunk. I was hanging out in the guys' suite and they had a ton of people over. I'd had a shitty day and needed to blow off some steam so I got really drunk. And then you called and I wanted things to be like they used to be, like we used to be. But I ruined that so they weren't. After I turned off my phone I just didn't feel like dealing with everyone so Jake and I hung out in his room. I ended up passing out in there at some point and I guess he did too. Some time during the night after that, I guess, I mean I think, I mean, we kissed-I kissed him. That's it though. I swear. That's the first time something's happened like that. It was a mistake and I didn't mean to but that doesn't matter. I betrayed you. I'm so sorry."

"And since then?" It was the only thing I could think to say. The idea of her in another man's bed, kissing him, hurt. But the circumstances were not the betrayal I thought they were. To use an antiquated euphemism, it sounded like he'd taken advantage of her if that's all that had happened.

"Today was the first time I've so much as talked to him since then. I wanted to tell you but didn't want to do anything that would risk you messing up your final exams. And I couldn't spend more time with someone I'd crossed a line with behind your back like that." A humorless half smile formed on her face. "I've been spending nights at the library since the guys' couch was my usual refuge from Leah and her new boytoy."

I exhaled a breath I felt like I'd been holding for months. This was it? She hadn't been sneaking around behind my back with some asshole. She'd been stressed out, working herself ragged, and leaning on a friend. While I definitely could have faulted her for an outright betrayal this was complicated and messy. I'd spent so much time certain that my relationship was over that the idea that it might not be, that it might be up to me, threw me off.

I'd been silent for a few moments as I mulled over the new information. What little humor she had with her last remark was long gone and all that remained was visibly mounting anxiety as she chewed on her lip. "So what now?" I finally asked. "What do you want?"

She cast her eyes downward and continued to bite her lip. "I'm not sure I have the right to ask it."

"I'm asking anyways."

"I want…you. I've only ever wanted you. This past year has sucked but having you so far away made it harder. I never thought that life would be better if we just ended things. I just wanted you. I don't know if I've ruined that though."

It could be so simple. But, "I think I need some time to think things over."

~GA~

A week went by. Then two. And then three. I volunteered at the hospital again and didn't do much else. I was getting sick of this town. I didn't want to run into anyone and that would be impossible in a town this size. I helped my mom out around the house, started studying for the MCAT, and generally tried to avoid moping too much. I missed Bella though. I yearned for her. I hadn't contacted her at all since that day in the meadow and she'd only sent me one text letting me know that she'd wait while I took my time. I'd brought out my phone a thousand times ready to tell her we were done forever, to beg her to be with me, and everything in between but put my phone down every time before I so much as turned it on. I still didn't know how to proceed. It would be so easy to go back to her with everything forgiven and forgotten but she crossed a line, and not just when they kissed. No, she'd been dancing in this blurry, gray zone of ambiguity for a while. Because even giving her the benefit of the doubt that everything was as innocent as she said it was-at least on her part because I did not for a moment believe his intentions were ever anything close to platonic-it was still a betrayal. They'd developed a level of closeness and intimacy that made me just as nauseous as the idea that they had been outright cheating. She leaned on him for support and he was all too happy to be there for her.

Because I wasn't. Because she wouldn't let me.

My parents eventually kicked me out of the house to go get the oil changed on my mom's car. I stopped by our go-to mechanic's shop and almost turned around when I saw who worked there.

"What'll it be today Ed?" asked Jerry, the owner of the shop.

"Just an oil change for my mom. Thanks." I stood off to the side and waited, hoping to avoid him. Of all the people I didn't want to talk to, he was reason enough to stay in my bedroom the rest of the summer. Unfortunately, I had no such luck and he saw me anyway.

"Prick!" he spat out under his breath with a shake of his head. I knew I should have ignored him, but that took me so much by surprise that I responded against my better judgment.

"What did you say?" I asked with great offense. After everything he did, he had the nerve to call me a prick?

"You heard what I said," he snarled.

"What is your problem?"

"You are. You're an asshole."

"I'm the asshole?" My mother, my father, and probably Jerry would all be very upset if I punched one of the guys working here, I kept repeating to myself. It did nothing to dampen the anger but it did help keep my head clear.

"Yeah. You are." His tone had become to even, as though he was speaking simple fact rather than insulting me. This stoked my anger even more.

"That's rich. You've spent the better part of a year trying to get with another guy's girlfriend and I'm the asshole."

"Of course that's what it would look like to you. I was better for her because I actually gave a shit about her so that means I've just been trying to get into her pants. Only an entitled prick who knew he wasn't man enough for his girl would see it like that. The worst part is that you've got Bella eating it up. Tell me, how'd you turn everything around on her? And did you make her stop talking to all her friends or just the ones who had the nerve to be nice to her?"

"I don't know who you think you are but I haven't duped Bella into anything and I'm not keeping her from talking to anyone. If she's not answering your calls, well, welcome to my world."

"Oh shut up with the victim bullshit. You only wanted to talk to her when it was convenient for you. Never mind if she was at work. I got to see every time she tried to talk to you and then it was 'Oh, Edward's at a study group' 'Edward's busy with homework' 'Edward works so hard and he's so smart' as if she wasn't working herself ragged. With me, she might not have said much but at least I listened enough to know what's going on. Not that I really understand why she wanted to talk to you in the first place. She had a year from Hell and every time she hung up the phone with you it was like you kicked her while she was down. And if you really want to talk about what a hypocritical asshole you are, let's not forget the girls you dangled in front of her. How she ever put up with your condescending, belittling bullshit is beyond me."

Before I could respond he stormed away from me in a huff. His comments angered and confused me. I didn't dangle any girls in front of her, did I? I couldn't think of any instances of that happening but the memory of that last night of spring break with Tania formed a bubble of guilt in my gut. As for the rest of it, my first instinct was to deny it. After all, I had been busy all year and the only time she ever seemed to want to call was the middle of the day. And I wasn't condescending or belittling, was I? My coursework was difficult and stressful and I vented about it. That was all, right?

Right?

She couldn't really blame me for not knowing exactly how much she had weighing on her when she never talked about it. I thought about the last year from Bella's perspective. She'd been stressed and worried and overwhelmed and she shut me out from it all. But had I ever asked. I tried to think of a time when I'd asked her how she was doing and really listened to her. I was dismayed that I couldn't come up with anything. Bella wasn't at all difficult to read and yet the few times we'd seen each other I hadn't really looked at her. I'd seen that she'd lost weight she couldn't really afford to lose, that she'd been tired and stressed. Shit, when her truck broke down, an event with much more importance I was suddenly realizing, I'd reacted with slight mockery and then anger and jealousy at her solution. I'd been so upset because I'd wanted someone there for me, but had I really been there for her?

I thought about her some more. She'd never seen herself clearly. When she got to Forks most of the guys flocked to her and she'd been uncomfortable with the attention but hadn't really believed they were into her. Heck, we'd gone on multiple dates but she didn't realize we were dating until I tried to kiss her. Could I really expect her to believe that her relationship with Jacob could be interpreted as anything other than platonic? Especially after learning that when she realized her friendship had gone too far, she took to spending her nights in the library rather than on her friends' couch. Bella was beautiful and kind and brilliant and self sacrificing and she'd never try to hurt me. She would want to save me from pain.

That thought nearly knocked me down. She'd been trying to save me from pain. Her father was possibly dying but she didn't want to burden me as I continued to tell her all about how much stress I was under. The words both she and Jacob had said swirled around in my head. She didn't talk to him either but he was there. She gravitated towards him because he was all too eager to please. He removed her burdens while seemingly adding none in return. He fixed her truck, gave her rides, and acted as a shoulder to cry on while her asshole boyfriend was two states away and giving her nothing but grief about how hard his life was.

The guy working on my car finished up around then so after settling with Jerry I drove off. It took a few minutes for me to realize I wasn't driving to my parents' house. Instead, I took the path I knew all too well.

It felt strange to knock on the door but it would have been worse to just walk in as was the norm. Very quickly the door opened.

"Edward," she breathed.

"I'm sorry. You didn't talk but I didn't listen. I was so caught up in my own head that I didn't ask about yours. Yes, you fucked up, but I did too. To be honest, my freshman year sucked. I aced all my classes, made a handful of friends, but I just kept imagining you there and that's what got me through it. And then you weren't and it made everything worse. And then it felt like you kept pulling away but maybe I was pushing too. When I found out that you did get in but didn't tell me, it felt like you were explicitly choosing not to be with me. This past year has felt like you choosing not to be with me over and over again. And that scared the shit out of me because I love you so goddamn much and I want this to work. I want us to be together. I love you."

Her eyes were wide and bright as she stared up at me. Her lips curved into a deeply genuine smile. "I love you too Edward."

A/N: And that's it. There will be an epilogue that I'll be posting very soon.

Disclaimer: any views expressed by the characters in this story (who aren't even my characters) do not necessarily represent my own views, even when they're views on the situation I created. Jacob's rant at the end wasn't meant to be the "truth" but rather a very biased perspective that shed some new light on things for Edward. Jacob isn't supposed to be the "good guy" in this story. Personally, I meant this to be a story about relationships at the beginning of adulthood. They have to change and grow as the people do and mistakes get made. Personally, I've seen the relationship between Edward and Bella both here and in SM's actual series as one where one of the major flaws is them hurting each other in the process of trying to keep anyone from getting hurt. A lot of reviews consisted of either straight up placing all the blame on Bella or insisting that she fess up but in all honesty, neither of them were good at talking. Bella wanted to keep everything to herself and Edward was terrified of rocking the boat. All the issues (in my opinion at least) stem from naivety that can poison a relationship.