A/N: Hi everyone!

Thank you so much for the love and support- we love hearing all of your thoughts and predictions. Special thank you to our fabulous team...Let's hear from Bella...

Song(s): "Hello" by Evanescence

Eventually, Jasper and I got tired of driving around Brooklyn. We lived here our entire lives, so it was not like there was anything new to see. We headed to his house, and unfortunately, Alice was on her way over. I tried to be nice to her—I really did—but sometimes, I just wanted to deck her. Like I was supposed to be interested in shopping and clothes just because I was a girl. I could dress nicely, but only when I was required to. It was interesting that Jasper liked her so much because he was calm and chill. She was not. I guess it was a testament to the saying that opposites attract.

When Alice arrived, she seemed surprised to see me. "Oh, Bella. Hi. I didn't know you were going to be here also."

"Yeah, funny how Jasper failed to mention that," I said, giving him a pointed look.

He shrugged and flashed us both that little smirk he did when he was trying to be charming. "Sorry, Ali. I didn't think it'd be a big deal."

"Are we still going to watch a movie?"Alice asked.

I pulled Jasper aside. "If you put me in a dark room with her, I cannot be held responsible for what I might do."

"Come on, topina. I know you two don't get along, but she is important to me. I'm hoping that exposing you to each other enough will help make things less painful for everyone," he pleaded, a pitiful expression on his face.

I scoffed and rolled my eyes. "That's a nice dream, Jasper, but exposing me to her is gonna cause a homicide." He shrugged and I knew that I was gonna have to be the one to budge. I was the third wheel in this scenario. I sighed and fisted my hair. "Fine. But you are sitting between us."

He gave me a brilliant smile and nodded before he went to the kitchen to make some popcorn, and Alice and I sat down on the couch. We naturally chose seats on opposite ends and didn't say a word to each other while Jasper was in the kitchen. Alice kept looking at me out of the corner of her eye. Finally, she decided to talk.

"So, Jazzy told me you guys hung out earlier. How was that?"

I internally rolled my eyes. It was obvious to anyone with half a brain that she was threatened by my relationship with Jasper and how close we were. "Fine. We went to work out."

Alice nodded and I could tell she hated the idea. Not my problem. I wasn't her significant other, thank god. I would send the chick packing so fast. Jasper came back into the living room and sat between Alice and me like I'd requested. When Jasper started the movie, I glared at him since I realized it was a romantic comedy. He sure was having fun being a smartass tonight.

He had known me long enough to realize I wasn't a girly girl. Getting dressed up when it was required wasn't so bad because I liked looking nice, but I despised wearing heels. I preferred my sneakers. Shopping for clothes was torture if I couldn't just grab what looked most comfortable and be done with it. All of those things were small in comparison to how much I absolutely loathed romantic comedies. Which was why I gravitated toward action or regular comedy. Romantic comedies were about love-struck women and nearly perfect guys that didn't exist.

Besides Jasper's choice of movie being far from what I would have selected, this whole group hangout was one that I wasn't used to. I didn't let people in easily. Jasper, Rose, and I had grown up together, and they were the only people that I really trusted. I had other friends in school, but no one that I would confide in. Growing up the way I had, constantly having to hide who I was, who my family really was, the tendency to throw walls up around me had become the norm. So even if Alice wasn't annoying as shit, it would still take a long time until I felt comfortable around her.

We watched the movie in relative silence, and halfway through it, I had to excuse myself to the bathroom. Once the door was shut behind me, I pulled out my phone and texted Rose.

If I asked you to help me hide two bodies, would you do it with no questions asked? ~B

It took a minute before I got a reply.

I would have questions, but I would still help you. Jazz and Alice? ~R

You think? It's like he's purposely trying to annoy me. ~B

B, you and Jasper have been friends forever, but Alice is his girlfriend. He is going to cater to her every once in a while. You can't get your way all the time. ~R

Well, if you're going to be logical, then I don't know how I can argue against it. ~B

Nope. Quit sulking and go be a good friend. ~R

I sighed, locking my phone and sliding it back into my pocket. When I headed out to the living room, I found Alice and Jasper making out. For the love of Christ.

"I think I'm gonna take an Uber and leave you two alone." I grabbed my jacket from the hook by the door.

Jasper had the sense to look contrite, and I smiled and left the house. After I ordered an Uber, I waited out front for the vehicle to pick me up. On the drive home, I sat in silence, not even interested in talking to the driver. Tonight had turned into a disaster, but I shouldn't even really be mad at Jasper about it. Love made normal people act all crazy.

When I arrived at home, I went straight to my room and sulked. The fact that I was twenty-one and home on a weekend was just sad. I sighed and lay down, not even changing into my pajamas—just done with today.

~TCOS~

Jasper and I were having a standoff. I refused to reply to the numerous texts that he had sent me since Sunday morning. While I said I shouldn't be mad at him, that didn't stop me because I was. He invited me to go on a drive with him, and then he invited me over and didn't mention Alice until it was too late for him to take me home. We both knew that I would eventually cave, but we had to go through this first. Luckily, I had other things to worry about. I had to move my stuff from my old room to the monstrosity that was my new bedroom. I tried to tell my dad over and over that I didn't need a new room, but he didn't listen to me and continued with the renovations he had planned. The paint had finally dried, so I was expected to suck it up and get it done.

I spent the morning organizing and moving all the small things that I was able to do without help. After my third trip stomping past her room, Rose came out to see what the noise was all about. She watched as I went to my old room and then walked past her room and up the new stairs that had been built for entrance to my suite. As I walked past her again, she stopped me.

"Sister dear, do you need help?" She raised an eyebrow at me as she smiled teasingly at me.

"Does it look like I need help? I never realized how much crap I had until I had to move it." I huffed out in frustration. Not at Rose but the fact that I was forced to move unnecessarily.

She followed me to my room and grabbed what I told her, and we made the trek upstairs. We did this for the next hour until all that was left in my old space was the dresser, bookshelf, and my bed. I looked at Rose.

"Don't look at me. I'm not even gonna attempt to move that." She held her hands up in protest.

"I wonder what Dad expected me to do with this. Neither of us can move it." I eyed the furniture, knowing she was right and there was no way the two of us could move it into my new space.

"He'll probably have someone to come rearrange it," she said matter-of-factly.

We spent the rest of the afternoon helping the chef plan the meals for the remainder of the month. Rose didn't want Dad to have any food that was too fattening or too salty. I was amazed at the attention to detail she had. I knew she was a nurse and that took great skill, but she shouldn't have to be worrying about Dad all the time. I got that she wanted to take care of him, but someday didn't she want to be someone's wife? Rose wasn't as afraid of commitment as I was, but she never put herself out there or met anyone new. It was another eye-opener for me. Rose was so invested in Daddy that she would probably never leave, while I couldn't wait until the day I could.

Luckily, Dad did hire someone to come move all the big furniture into my room, and I supervised this to make sure nothing got broken. It was almost dinnertime before everything was rearranged. My dad was excited to see my new room, so I did my best to plaster on a happy face and tried to indulge him. He was more eager than I was, but the right smile, followed by a hug and a kiss to the cheek, convinced him that I was pleased with his efforts. Sometimes I felt bad that I was spending so much time pretending to be the dutiful mafia princess while I secretly hated it.

My life was easy, for sure. I lived with my dad rent-free. I didn't have to buy food or really pay any bills, but I was forced to be home when he wanted. I couldn't tell him the truth of where I was the other night because only loose women went to clubs. If my dad found out that I had sex with a total stranger, or at all, I would never hear the end of it. He probably wasn't stupid enough to believe that I was a virgin, but I was sure he tried to convince himself of it. I had to hide who I was and what I enjoyed. My dad had no idea that I knew how to fight or shoot guns. Again, it was something that would cause him to flip.

I went to college and I was surprised when he actually agreed to pay for it. Getting a degree would allow me to work, which meant I would have my own money, and then I could move out. I didn't think he figured that I was planning that, but it worked in my favor. I got a bachelor's degree in accounting, and of course, I graduated summa cum laude because Swan women weren't stupid. I had no idea what my plans were for the future. Day by day was the best I was able to do at this point.

In this life, unfortunately, women were basically set dressing. I was there to look pretty, sit down, and shut my mouth. I was there to marry some rich guy who could take over the family when Daddy retired. That wasn't who I was, and I was not sure where I got that attitude from. From what I remembered of my mom, she played the part of docile, dutiful wife perfectly. Rose acted that way around Dad, and only let that facade slip in front of me when we were alone. I could act just like the rest of them, but inside I was screaming. That was why I was reckless and did stupid shit sometimes.

I lay down on my bed, staring at the ceiling. My mind wandered to Edward. God, he was hot, and the sex was unreal and probably the best I'd ever had. He could be like any other pretty boy, but I didn't get that vibe from him. I couldn't put my finger on what it was about him. Usually when I had a one-night stand, I left the guy in the morning and never looked back or even really thought about him again. But here I was thinking about a guy I knew nothing about except his name. Maybe I should have gotten his number. I scoffed and got up off my bed. I didn't need to think about some guy.

I headed downstairs, knowing that dinner would be ready soon and I would be summoned to eat with my dad and Rose. Rose was already seated at the dining room table, and I sat down at my regular seat. Rose glanced up from her phone and gave me a concerned look. "What's wrong, Belly Bean?"

I tutted. "Don't call me that, please. I'm so sick of being treated like a child." I knew that she was trying to be nurturing and get me to open up about what was bothering me, but I just couldn't take it right now.

"Talk to me, Bella." The look of concern was clear on her face.

"I just want out," I grit through my teeth, hating that I was having this conversation.

"Out of what?" She looked confused.

"This." I gestured to the room around us. "This house, this life, this role I have to play."

Rose sighed and nodded. "I know it's hard sometimes—"

"Hard?" I interrupted and laughed sardonically. "Try suffocating, Rose. You are happy here because you've been taking care of Daddy since you were fifteen. I can't wait until the day I can move out. I'm twenty-one and I have a curfew. I have to pretend to be the quiet docile type to land some rich husband, and then when I'm out of this house, I'm expected to be Bella Swan, the daughter of a respected businessman. None of this is who I am or who I want to be."

Rose looked at me, a little shocked that I had just unloaded all that on her, and for a second, it seemed like she might cry. She was about to speak, but she shut her mouth quickly when our dad sat down at the table. I smiled at him as he glanced over at me, but I knew that it was a weak one and he would know something was wrong. I was right because a worried expression crossed his face before our housekeeper brought our plates to the table. We all bowed our heads, and my dad said grace before we ate.

When he was done, I picked up my fork and started to eat dinner without saying a word. Rose and my dad chatted conversationally, and I just kinda tuned them out, trying to eat quickly without shoveling food into my mouth. My dad cleared his throat, and I looked at him, my fork paused in midair. He was gazing at me expectantly, and I just stared at him, wondering what I'd missed. Eventually, he sighed and I set down my fork.

"Bella, you have been moping around here all day, and ever since you graduated, you seem to be meandering. I think I can help you with that. I have a job opportunity. How about you keep track of the books for my Swan businesses? My last accountant left a mess of things. I know that I am in the black, but it would be nice to have an actual number."

I gave him a bright smile, genuinely happy for the opportunity. I was grateful that he was giving me a job that I knew he would pay well for. However, my smile dimmed a bit when I realized it was yet another thing that he had control over. I nodded. "Thanks, Daddy. I would be happy to do that for you."

"Good. Next week, you can come into the office with me, and we can get you set up."

I agreed and that was the end of the discussion. Maybe things were starting to look up.

~TCOS~

It was Thursday before I let Jasper off the hook and texted him back.

I'm mad at you, stronzo. You asked me to go on a drive with you and then invited me to come over without telling me Alice was going to be there. ~B

My phone started ringing, and Jasper's picture came up on the display. I huffed as I answered.

"I'm sorry, topina. Alice wanted to hang out, and I couldn't blow her off, but I also didn't want to ditch you."

I fisted my hair and sighed. "I get that, Jazz, but Alice and I don't like each other, and I don't think that will change. Can you stop trying to push us together please?"

"Yeah, let me buy you a bagel to make up for it," he bribed.

"Okay. I'll meet you there. I only have a little time though." I nodded even though he couldn't see me.

I hung up with him and got dressed before rushing out of the house. It did seem like things were truly starting to look up after all.