Just wanted to give a little trigger warning on this chapter! It lightly touches on what occurred with James and Bella. It's almost been a full year since I started this story. I had a baby and I'm heading on vacation yet again so I thought I would post once more and try to finish this story. This is a shorter chapter but I will update soon!


Chapter 10 That Scum Bag


"That scum bag!" I woke to a very angry Edward pacing the room. I rubbed my eyes and sighed bracing myself for the next installment of James' lies.

I had dreamt actually of James. It was a very vivid dream. I recalled my apartment where he broke in, it felt like I had not left. Everything was so real. It was a nightmare I never wanted to relive. I was getting ready for bed, and as I undressed I felt James' hot breath breathing down my neck. Startled, I backed up into him and his foul hands wrapped around my body. I felt physically sick yet again just at the reminder of those vivid memories. I drank back some water in an attempt of settling my stomach.

"Bella I'm so sorry I woke you, love" Edward fidgeted with his messy locks while he texted up a storm (who I assumed was Emmett.) Emmett was on full damage control. He was the one who mainly handled the family's strategic moves both politically and personally.

I lamely smiled at Edward as I gulped more water fighting a battle with my worrisome stomach. "I'm assuming there's more news?"I blankly asked.

Edward glanced in my direction and diverted eye contact, unable to form any words. I glanced at my phone. There was a plethora of unread messages and calls. 5 missed calls from Charlie alone. My heart dropped. I opened up google and typed my name. Bracing myself for what new information had been released.

"Abortion or miscarriage? James Hunter dishes on how Bella Swan took away his chance at being a father"

I just sat in disbelief while I reread the article headline several times. That fucking bastard. The battle with my stomach became futile. I ran to the toilet and threw up all my stomach contents as Edward ran to my side and held back my hair.

"I'm so sorry Bella" he repeated as he soothed my back. I cried into the bowl. It was vile and untrue. It was so personal, my sex life on display for millions. The memories of James flooded back in. He gripped my hair and covered my mouth as he moved closer to me. I shook my head to distance myself from these raging memories. All the pain and hurt were at the forefront of my mind.

"It's not true" I simply stated. He just nodded his head and soothed me more. "I'm so sorry" he repeated.

He ran me a bath and I just sat in the bath for what felt like hours. We both sat silently. He was scared to talk to me. We were virtual strangers. We didn't know much about each other's histories. While he was the playboy prince, I seemed like the slutty home-wrecker. I was so embarrassed. What if he didn't believe me? What if the world didn't believe me?

Edward didn't know how to help me. Truthfully I didn't know what would help at the moment. I wanted my mom and my friends. I wanted it all to just go away. I wanted to run. It felt impossible.

We heard a soft knock on the door, Edward excused himself and opened the door. "She's not decent" he quietly stated.

"Let me in" I heard a firm but caring voice say. It was Esme. I quickly slipped out of the bath and found a robe. What would I say to her? This was beyond embarrassing.

"Mom I don't think now is the time, Bella and I have not discussed it much," he said very hushedly. As if I couldn't hear him. His voice was pained. He didn't know how to help me. I felt so much guilt. He chose the wrong princess, I convinced myself.

"Just let me try?" she simply asked. I didn't hear more from Edward. The door shut and Esme found her way to me.

"Oh, Bella" she sighed and wrapped her arms around me. She was warm and reminded me of my mother. She stroked my hair and soothed me as my tears fell unwillingly from my eyes. I felt like a child who needed her mom. Esme somehow knew that. Mother's intuition.

"It's not true Esme. I promise" I sighed. Tears falling even faster now. "Sweetie it wouldn't matter if it was, this is not only a huge invasion of privacy on your behalf, it's wrong. Women do not get the same treatment as men do. I have had some very not kind things said about me throughout the years only because I am a woman." Her words helped me ever so slightly.

"Bella we are your family now and we support you full heartily. I want you to know we are working on this and will be doing some press control. When you are ready we want to hear what actually transpired. Only when you are ready though dear. Your mental well-being is of the utmost importance" she hugged me and kissed my head.

My heart felt full from her words. It felt so nice to hear. "It's not real" crept back into my mind. She is not my family this is not real. This was kind though and the gesture meant so much. I couldn't let myself believe Esme was a mother to me.

"Thank you, Esme, this means more than you know" I smiled at her genuinely. Our bond had grown more this day. We both felt it.

"Did Edward ever tell you the bad press involving me?" My eyes widened. I fully researched all about Esme. She was from a noble family in Cordova. Though she was not royalty it seemed Cordova accepted her whole heartily. She was well-loved and well-received by all.

"No I hadn't heard anything about you having bad press Esme, it's so hard to believe." I truthfully said.

"I was a wild child, as you kids like to say" I laughed at her. Intrigued by what else she would add.

"I was not ready for marriage when Carlisle and I met. He never gave up, he was determined to make me his bride. I was dating another when the King and I met. That came out to bite me in the future. When the press caught wind of the previous relationship they called me all sorts of names. He ended up doing a tell-all about me. Mostly a work of fiction. He wanted his 10 minutes of fame and he got it. He had no regard for my feelings or the aftermath of his actions," she sourly said. It was clear she still was hurt by the whole ordeal.

"The bad press was actually what brought Carlisle and me together. The press was unrelenting. The King defended me every step of the way. He never once shamed me. It's why I love him so deeply. He's always been on my side" she smiled. "The Cullen men love deeply"

A blush swept across my face. She implied her son loved me deeply. If only she knew the true situation. I felt more guilt. I hugged her tightly and thanked her for her kindness. It truly was just what I needed. She must have sensed the moment had passed and excused herself. Before she left I couldn't help but ask "how come there is no record of the bad press online?"

Esme smiled. "Time and damage control can change a lot of things" she hugged me one more time tightly and kissed my forehead before she headed out.

Edward stumbled back in with a worrisome look on his face. "I'm sorry Bella she can be pretty persuasive." He did a lopsided grin at me. He genuinely seemed to care. Our relationship was so unknown to us both.

"She was helpful actually" I smiled back at him.

"I'm ready to talk Edward" I grabbed his hand and led him to the bed. It was time, I no longer was going to let James control me. He had gone too far and I was going to expose him for the vile human being he was.


If you like this chapter please let me know! Next chapter Bella will open up about James. It may be a heavier topic.