Chapter 11 The Real James Hunter


Hi friends! I put this out fairly quick, I know I had not updated in so long so wanted to show you all I am motivated to finish this. Massive Trigger warning here Bella will be sharing what occurred with James. It does mention sexual assault/rape. If this is triggering for you feel free to skip this chapter!

If you have any ideas and suggestions on where this story should go I am all ears. I have a loose plan but always love input.


I sighed as I faced Edward. We had been through so much together in the short six weeks we had known one another. I knew the signs of distress on his face. He gripped his hair lightly and stared back at me. Unable to control his anxiety about what I was about to share.

"Edward I want you to just listen, there's going to be things I say that you will not love hearing. I don't want to hold back anything in case it is helpful to take down James. Can you promise me you will just listen?" I breathed out. I never had shared this full story not even with Jess and Ang. I was a bundle of nerves.

He looked conflicted. He sighed and looked into my eyes and shook his head. "Of course Bella. Thank you for opening up I know this must be hard." He smiled a small smile back at me. He took his phone out and pressed record just so he could share this info with both Alice and Emmett. We both agreed it was important they know the full details as well. Though this was nerve-racking, it was nice to know they cared and wanted to help me.

I thought back to meeting James for the first time. Why did he have to come back into my life? I truly thought I would never have to think about him again. Where did I even start? I held Edward's hand and took a deep breath and began.

I told Edward about first interviewing at Hunter's Bar and Grill. It all felt thrilling, I needed the funds for my apartment and lifestyle so I felt optimistic about working there. He was kind at first, actually very friendly and respectful. We were even what I considered friends at one point. I realized now that was all just an act. It wasn't until his friend and coworker Laurent asked me out that his behavior shifted.

Laurent was a nice guy just not my type so I turned him down. James pushed me a lot about the situation, I realized now. He was very nosey about the whole thing. He felt that was a sign we were meant to be an item. After Laurent asked me out he was suddenly let go. James claimed he saw Laurent steal from the till. In all my time I never had seen Laurent be dishonest or steal from anyone. He seemed to enjoy the job. James' father never really explained what happened but I believe James set him up. I never really heard from Laurent again and I did consider us friends as well. I wrote it off as nothing. I texted Laurent a few times with zero replies back. Analyzing it all now, I realized James probably threatened him. It made the most logical sense.

One day when James and I were both closing up the bar, James asked me if I wanted a nightcap with him. Being friendly I said yes, at this point I had no reason to believe it was anything inappropriate. We took back a few shots he got for us. I remember things got a bit blurry. Working in a bar you do drink a bit more than what's normal so I felt I knew my limits fairly well. Two shots of tequila usually did not affect me.

Edward looked furious at this point in the story. I could tell he cared for me in some capacity. We really had bonded over our odd union. I grabbed his hand and ran circles over it. Attempting to calm both of us down.

I woke up the next morning naked in James' bed. I had no memories of how I got there. No memories of even leaving the bar. At the time I didn't consider this nonconsensual since I had chosen to drink the drinks. I just chalked it up to bad judgment while drunk. He was kind and sweet, he even made me breakfast. I shuttered thinking of this memory now. It was pretty uncomfortable since I had zero attraction to him and did not see him in that light. I told him it was best we remain friends and headed out pretty quickly after that.

He did not take the rejection well. He thought it was a game where he could win my affection. After that he was unrelenting. He seemed to pop up everywhere I went. At first, I truly thought it was a coincidence. Then it became a pattern. I grew weary of him but didn't want him to catch on. I needed the job badly.

My mother had just passed at this point, and I had dropped out of school since I fell so behind. Truly this was one of my lowest points. James had offered to "help" me by helping me get a raise. I did need more income so I stupidly agreed. He then got more loose toward me. It started with grazing my arms and legs. Then he started to press himself against me in the break room while we were alone. I would tell him I needed space and I would separate myself from him.

He grew impatient with me. He felt I owed him for my raise at the job. I explained to him numerous times I just saw him as a friend. He started to get more and more inappropriate. He started to force himself on me when we were alone and forced me to kiss him. As sad as it was I let it happen because kissing was innocent enough. I was in a very poor headspace. Losing my mother destroyed me. I had lost my motivation and self-worth throughout this all.

One day I came home from a late shift, and I was grateful to not work with James that evening. I undressed as I got ready for my shower. I felt his breath on my back. He had broken into my apartment. I screamed and he threw his hand to my mouth. I could smell the alcohol on his breath, he reeked of booze.

I paused tears forming now. This was the last night I slept in my apartment. I no longer felt safe after this encounter. James forced me on the bed and forced himself on me. I said "no" several times but it seemed useless to repeat myself anymore. He was not taking no for an answer. When it was done he got dressed and left. He said if I told anyone "I would regret it." I cried myself to sleep that night. I told no one. I was scared of how he would retaliate.

Edward grabbed me and hugged me tightly. "I'm so sorry love no one should ever have to go through what you have." My tears finally fell from my eyes. I felt safe in his arms. I let myself cry. The trauma had softened. I felt relieved to talk about what had occurred.

"After that, I reported him to his father and their HR department. I used the extra income I was getting to rent a motel while I figured out what my next moves were" I wiped my tears as I looked at Edward's eyes again.

"He was correct, I did have to get plan b. Which he did find out about. His friend worked at the pharmacy. There was no way I was going to tie myself to him for life" I spat. At this point, rage began to fill me. That town had simply failed me and aided him in his abuse.

"He was too connected, Edward. Everywhere I went eyes were on me. I ended up filing for a restraining order. That too went nowhere. His father knew the Judge. So I went home to Charlie. I left my apartment and belongings and didn't look back. I am ashamed to admit the apartment is going through an eviction soon. I haven't had the money to settle things with them." I fidgeted with my hands. It was so humiliating I truly had just walked away with little effort to rectify the situation.

"Bella" Edward took his finger and lifted my chin to face him.

"He raped you." I winced at the words. "Twice Bella. That man needs to be put behind bars. I'm so sorry for how much he violated you. I wish we knew one another then. I want to destroy him. We will expose him for the scum he is" he grunted out.

I had not used the word rape, but he was right he had. I cried a little harder now, as silly as it sounds I never saw myself as a victim. I felt I was just the cause of it all. I let James kiss me, I let him take advantage of me. But I said no. It meant something.

I pulled Edward to myself and kissed him and hugged him tightly. I never had felt so safe with someone. For the night I let myself believe it was real and that I did truly belong. We turned off our phones for the evening again and I flipped on a silly holiday movie on Netflix. It was what was needed. Laying in his arms I had no clue what the future had in store for us. I just knew I felt safe with him.


The truth is out there now. What will this mean for Bella and Edward going forward and how will they take down James? Please please review if you want me to continue! Xxx