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Just because I was the boss, didn't mean I could have too many days off. I'd been out of the country for six months, and in those months, I'd had to trust others to do certain things. So, the rest of my day was taken up with paperwork and phone calls. Some calls were easier than others. Some of the men were shocked and sounded a little nervous to hear I was back in the country. I made a mental note to check up on things further, and in person if possible, as soon as possible. I didn't want them turning power hungry, just because I hadn't been around to stoke the fire up their asses.

Mom kept Isabella entertained so I could work, but also because she was worried about her. She observed that Isabella didn't talk much, and only did the things she thought we wanted her to do.

She asked Isabella several questions, but she just shrugged. By dinner time I was exhausted with work and just wanted to get out of the house. The look on Isabella's face at the table said the same. I held my hand out to her and then wanted to smile as she took it slowly. Her movements were tentative and unsure, but I was beyond happy she had given me the chance by taking my hand.

We walked around the garden in silence. When we reached a stone bench, we sat down. Isabella looked over the garden in the fading light, and I watched silent tears fall down her cheeks.

"It's too much. I can't handle it. I don't know how to handle it," she whispered hoarsely.

I didn't need to ask her what she was talking about. I gathered her wrist in my hands and slowly rubbed my thumb over her healing wounds. "I know it's beyond hard to even think about it all, but please know that I will be here day and night for you, Isabella. You can come to me at any time to talk. Even if you don't want to talk, I'll still be here for you. We can just sit and find the silence if that's what you need."

"Thank you," she replied sadly.

Later that night, I walked Isabella to her bedroom and said goodnight to her. She gave me a faint smile before walking in and shutting the door behind her.

Though still exhausted, I needed to talk to Dad. Isabella had refused a blood test earlier, and I needed to know what I could do to get her to agree to one. It was okay filling her with vitamins and antibiotics for now, but what if we missed something more important?

"I don't need to tell you this, but I will anyway. You need to tread very carefully with her," Dad said after I'd walked into his study.

"I know," I replied.

"Do you, son? I don't want to come across as an interfering old man, but we have no idea what damage has been done. Not only that, but our choices, our lifestyles, will she fit into that? I know she's here and will stay here, so don't give me that look. What I mean, Edward, is we're not all that different from who you got her from. We have better morals, but look at where we come from, look at where we're going," he said as he looked out the window, scotch glass in hand.

I couldn't be angry with him, no matter how hard I tried. I was an evil bastard when I wanted, and needed, to be. Could I keep her protected from that, from my life? I was so confused now.

"Half of me wants to know what she's been through because then we can help her move forward. The other half dreads to know; seeing her so broken has me on edge, like I have to hunt those fuckers down and make them suffer, even though we have them in lockdown."

"You have to be honest and open from the start with her. She's an intelligent girl, so don't think about hiding anything from her, it'll only damage her trust in you more. And for God's sake, don't carry any weapons or anything around her, she's seen enough of that shit to last a lifetime. If she sees even a hint of a gun, she'll run for the hills, and we'll be back to square one," Dad finished, the look on his face serious and solemn.

The following morning came quickly, and Mom was having a problem containing her excitement. She hadn't had us all under the same roof for months, and she was longing to have her family home. Isabella was included in the family now, I just don't think she knew that yet.

By ten a.m., she still hadn't come out of her bedroom. When I got to the room, the door was open, but she wasn't there. I searched the bathroom and the other rooms on that floor, but there was no sign of her. I began to feel frantic until I found her curled up on the small couch in the library.

She had a thin blanket wrapped around her, and a book was on the floor like it had fallen from her hand. She looked so peaceful, I couldn't hold back, and I gently brushed the hair from her face, and her eyes fluttered open.

"Good morning, Sleeping Beauty," I said with a smile, but she backed her head away from my touch.

"There's nothing beautiful about me," Isabella said thickly as she stood up.

I had no idea what to say in return. She walked out of the room while I just stood there. Isabella was beyond beautiful, and I should have told her that. I should have chased after her and said so, but I couldn't.

I had a funny feeling that if I did, she wouldn't appreciate it. I think it would scare her. And I wasn't prepared to do that to her. She would just have to learn in time, and accept, that she was more beautiful than she realized.

I slowly walked out of the room and headed back downstairs. Isabella was at the dining table eating what Mom had made her, and she didn't look up when I sat down.

Mom had told me earlier the others would be back just after lunch; pain and fear gripped me at the announcement I couldn't even eat. Today would be the day Isabella would be told everything, the whole story. I would make good on my promise to tell her everything, I just didn't know where to start considering I had no idea what she already knew. So, I would just have to start from the beginning.

When she had finished her breakfast, I took Isabella's hand and led her back to the stone bench out in the garden. I saw the questions in her eyes and took a deep breath before starting.

"I'm going to tell you everything I know. It's not going to be easy, for either of us and if at any time you want me to stop, I will. I made a promise to you, Isabella, that I would tell you everything, but I don't want you to feel as if you need to be strong when you're not. I don't want you to hide how you're feeling from me, or anyone. I need to see your emotions, I need to see you properly, no shields, no hiding. I can't help you if you hide from me," I plead painfully as she gripped my hand tighter. I needed for her to be her, I didn't want Isabella to hide how she was feeling.

She gave me a reluctant nod, and I took a deep breath...

And began.

The next chapter is a biggie. You finally find out what's happened to Bella!