As I entered Alice's bedroom I heard the door slam downstairs. I twirled toward Alice.

"Alice, please tell me. I need to know." I begged.

She reluctantly met my eyes.

"I don't know if I should be the one to tell you. Edward knew her best." She said slowly, cautiously.

"Alice!" I was nearly screaming at her.

"Calm down Bella. Sit down." She motioned towards a chair. I complied.

She plopped down on her bed facing me, deep in thought. I waited.

"Edward met Layla about 40 years ago. She was like us. Didn't feed off of human blood. They were very compatible." She was being vague, but I knew exactly where this was leading.

"She was Edward's girlfriend." It wasn't a question.

Alice nodded solemnly.

"Were they very serious?" I questioned, feeling a lump forming in my throat. I didn't know how to react.

"They were… good together." She hesitated.

"In love, intimate?" I continued badgering Alice.

"Yes… and yes." She finally answered reluctantly.

There was a long pause. I couldn't believe this. I was speechless. Alice realized how dumbfounded I was.

"He loves you Bella. More than anything. You have to believe that." She reassured me, looking a bit guilty about what she previously said.

"Why didn't he tell me? He said he never loved before. I thought he was a virgin." I blurted out outraged.

"He wanted to protect you." Alice defended Edward adamantly, but I could tell that she didn't quite agree with this decision.

"What is she like?" I pressed on.

"Bella, don't do this." She begged.

"I have a right to know don't I?"

"Yes, I suppose."

"Well?" I encouraged her.

"She is very sweet, intelligent, a free spirit."

"Beautiful?"

"Very."

"Vampire no doubt?"

"Of course."

"So what happened?"

"She was found out by some of the locals. She ran. Edward wanted to follow, but it was better for him to stay. To be near Carlisle. He was still getting used to the new lifestyle. It wouldn't have been easy." Alice paused, reflecting. "She was mad. She couldn't believe he would just let her go. They fought about it. He was upset that she wouldn't understand why he had to stay. So she left, angry and regretful."

"What is she doing back?"

"Bella, enough questions for now, okay." The conversation was over.

I sat stunned. I could feel Alice's eyes roaming over my face, searching for a reaction. I'm not sure what kind of expression registered on my face, but Alice's was that of shock.

"Bella?" She asked gently.

I didn't bother responding. It didn't matter. She was back, he loved her. He would return to her. Even if he didn't, he loved her. She could give him what I couldn't and never would.

I felt Alice's cold arm wrap around my shoulder. I was surprised, but soon realized that tears were streaming down my face. I just sat there, motionless, going numb.

I don't know how long I sat there, Alice embracing me the whole time. I was brought back to reality when Carlisle burst through the door.

"What's the matter?" Alice asked alarmed.

"We need to get you out of here Bella." He said calmly, but urgently.

"Okay" Was my only response.

In a flash I was downstairs going towards the back door and into Carlisle's Mercedes. Edward wasn't driving me home apparently. I didn't ask question, just sat and tried in vain to decipher what Alice and Carlisle were saying. Their speech was much too fast and too quiet to understand. I felt like crap.

I was home safe and sound in minutes. Alice assured me that everything would be alright and that Edward would be around as soon as he could. For some reason I couldn't believe her. In my mind Edward was gone, gone for good. Yet, I was too numb to feel anything.