Hi!

As always s/o to Sheri! you rock

No warnings in this chapter(unless a description of a removal isn't your cup of tea) Also, I'm not a doctor, but this is a story and its fiction. So there may be a lot of inaccuracies with her removal of the brand. But I didn't want Bella to have to suffer through a lot of chapters.

ENJOY!

Chapter 13

Changes

BELLA POV

Six weeks. Six fucking weeks, I have been trapped in my own home. I'm literally about to go fucking crazy. Ever since that boss of that family died, I've been pretty much stuck here. Except a few weeks ago when Edward took me to see a Doctor about the JB brand. Dr. Gianna Lopez, a plastic surgeon, was a friend of the family. I had been reluctant to show her the brand but she needed to see it. She said she could remove it, however it would be a painful process. She also said the brand wasn't as deep as she or I had thought. A few days after that she took some skin from my inner thigh for a skin graph. She was going to cut the JB out of my skin completely and then put the graft in its place. She told me the graph may not be needed as the skin would grow back, but it could take a year or longer. Besides that, Edward let me go to Alice's once and even with James, Jasper, Seth, and Peter, Alice's new bodyguard there, he still didn't think I was safe and made them bring me home.

Story of my life.

However, I guess it hasn't been all that bad. I had started classes but they were all online at the moment and that kept me somewhat busy. I was going for my Bachelor's degree. It seemed more plausible since I didn't know If my writing would get me anywhere. So for now, writing would still be a hobby. I Duo'd a video call with Rose and Alice some days. They were on lockdown as well, however, Rose was still attending school. Apparently, Seth is on her ass as soon as she leaves campus and makes sure she gets back to the penthouse. I only know that because every time I talk to Rose that's what she bitches about.

Alice, on the other hand, as well as her mother, have been in lockdown at their house and she told me her mother was driving her crazy. I sympathize with her but never made my thoughts known. I didn't know if I liked Mrs. Cullen. The woman was very ugly to me the day I met her and on my wedding day. Two days after Edward and I married, Rose, Alice and Mrs. Cullen had come over and she apologized for her behavior at the wedding but she still wasn't convinced I wasn't pregnant.

However, according to Alice, her dad wasn't doing very good and her mother wasn't coping well. Alice said her mother had never acted like this before, and knew it was due to her father's health. However, it didn't give her the right to treat me the way she did. Alice agreed and said she had spoken to her mother more times than she can count. She also mentioned if Edward finds out it wouldn't be pretty. I disagreed with Alice as Edward never speaks of his parents around me so I don't think he gives a shit but then again Alice said his dad and him haven't gotten along in years. Honestly, I think the only reason Alice brought it up was because she wanted me to tell Edward. Which I'm not. I can handle his mother's comments, just her coldness is mean as hell.

Speaking of Edward, I've barely seen him these past six weeks. When that guy died, everybody was put on lockdown. Edward wanted Alice to stay here as a precaution. However, for some reason his mother couldn't go to her home? So it was decided Esme would stay with Alice for the time being. I didn't understand it but I was just glad she wasn't staying here. Edward, also, hardly comes home some nights. He does try to text and call me some but it still isn't the same.

I think that was the main root of my problem. Edward not being here. I didn't understand why that bothered me. Actually I did. Those days after the spa and those two days where it was just us, it seemed like time had stopped. We had gotten to know each other, We laughed, watched movies, cooked, had a food fight where Edward helped me clean! His smile was beautiful and it had stayed there until he came home that day he said he had a meeting.

Since that day his face has been set in stone not showing any emotions. He was acting like the non-caring Edward and I couldn't stand it. I also couldn't stand not knowing what was going on. The perks about being on lockdown was not knowing shit. Actually I think I'm the only one that didn't know shit. Alice acted like she didn't know what was going on but for some reason I think she was lying. Rose on the other hand was probably in the dark with me as well. It just killed me to no end. Edward and I were getting along great and then this. No explanation, no nothing.

It made my blood boil just thinking about it!

I quickly went into the bathroom and looked at myself in the mirror. Something in me clicked, I needed answers. I was tired of being kept in the dark. I was going to get them some way or another. I quickly showered and dressed and made my way to the kitchen where Ms. Cope was making breakfast and my sour mood got worse. I didn't like her but apparently she had been with Edward for years. She still made comments here and there when we were alone and I ignored her. Honestly, I thought she was just a miserable old hag, but damn, I didn't know what her problem was. Actually, I think I do, she's older and she doesn't like taking orders from me. Not that I give many orders anyway, I'm so nice it's crazy.

"Good morning." I decided to be polite and she turned around to face me.

"Good Morning, Mrs. Cullen," she said in a chipper voice. I wanted to roll my eyes. She was so fake! My bodyguard must be nearby for her to be acting like this. "I'm making waffles and bacon." Then I heard her mumble "so fattening." I chose to ignore her and sat down at the table. I refused to eat at that long ass table in the dining room alone.

I grabbed an apple from the bowl in the middle of the table. I heard her sigh like she wanted to say something but didn't. I started getting angry but was trying to keep it at bay. What was wrong with me? I must be about to start my period. I usually don't get this angry until it's time. She then set down the plate in front of me and walked away to clean up the dishes, shaking her head in the process. She looked like a damn bobble-head. Man, was I even more pissed.

"Do you have something to say, Ms. Cope?" I said it calmly or what I thought was calm. Judging by her face, it wasn't as calm as I thought. She looked at me worried.

"Nothing, Mrs. Cullen." She went back to washing dishes. I pushed my plate away after only eating some of it.

"You must have something to say if your little mumbled talk is anything to go by."

"No, Mrs. Cullen, nothing." She quickly finished washing up the dishes and then got the paper out for what she needed for grocery shopping. Yes, she had to go get the groceries since I'm not allowed to leave this place. I told her a few things that I wanted to eat this week. She again shook her head at my choices and I was about to comment when I heard Jessica leaving the laundry room. Her eyes flickered between us but she didn't comment. That was another thing. Since the wedding, Jessica had turned back into being reclusive. Before my wedding she had started talking to me. I even did the chores with her and she didn't freak out like when I first came here. But, now she hardly spoke to me. It didn't make any sense. I thought we had become friends. I guess not and I don't know why that bothered me. She even came to the wedding after telling me she didn't know if she would be able to. I didn't comment on why she couldn't go but she ended up going. I guess that was it, she regretted going but it didn't explain her behavior towards me. I would never pry and make her tell me but it was obvious something terrible happened to her.

"Mrs. Cullen, I was wondering if I could wash your bed sheets? It's been a few days since I've cleaned anything in your and Mr. Cullen's bedroom," she said then looked to the floor. What was up with that?

"Of course, the room isn't really dirty but go ahead," I said and she quickly nodded.

"Miss. Stanley, you don't have to ask permission to clean. That's your job," Ms. Cope said snidely and Jessica nodded and walked up the stairs.

I quickly turned towards her. "Excuse me?" I said, not hiding the anger in my voice at all.

"Yes, Mrs. Cullen?" She said all sweetly now. "I mean, she is the maid, right?" She giggled

That. Did. It.

"Ms. Cope, I think you have forgotten your place." Yeah, I went there. If she was going to remind Jessica of her place, then I was definitely going to remind her of hers.

"Mrs. Cullen?" This time she said it worriedly. "No, ma'am I haven't." She went back to writing down what she needed.

But I wasn't done talking yet.

"I think you have and your little snide comments will stop from now on."

She looked at me and for some reason I don't think she was really hearing what I had to say.

"Yes ma'am." And she went right back to writing and for some reason, it pissed me off to no end. Probably because this bitch didn't take me seriously. If Edward was standing in front of her right now she would have given him all of her attention.

"Ms. Cope!" I snapped. She quickly looked at me. "I'm speaking to you, that means you will give me your attention and quit acting like you're better than me. Look, Edward said if you stepped out of line you were gone. Remember?" She gulped and nodded. Yeah I pulled the Edward card but she needed to know I wasn't playing any of her games.

"Who is in charge, Ms. Cope?" Yeah I was probably being a bitch at this point but she had been one since day one.

"I am—I mean you are Mrs. Cullen" She said all nervously.

"Right, I am Mrs. Cullen." I only said that because I still think she wants my husband.

"This is my home, not yours. You are on a thin line with me. I'm tired of your snideness, your rudeness and the way you treat Jessica. There is no need for it." She looked at me but she still seemed smug like she wasn't getting it. " Your job here is now on a limited basis. You will only be working twice a week." She gasped and huffed up her chest. Dramatic much? "To be honest, I really don't need you. I can cook, and it tastes better than most of the things you have cooked. You only continued to have a job because of your years here. But after the past few weeks, I've realized you're really not needed." That was probably harsh and I felt a little bad but she needed to know.

She was in full blown tears now and I started feeling bad for my words but then she had been rude and so I shook those thoughts away.

"Mrs. Cullen, please, I'm sorry. Please don't do this." She was begging me, holding her hands together. However, I didn't really think she was sorry.

"You will come on Mondays and Wednesdays and that's it until I think you've earned the right to be here more."

"Please, Mrs. Cullen, I beg you to reconsider."

"Go, Ms. Cope, today is Thursday and we will see you on Monday."

"Who is going to do the grocery shopping? Thursday is the day that I do that! You can't do this!" She screamed all red in the face. Wrong move. She truly didn't get it.

"I can. Now you will only be here one day a week." She gasped. "Go. We will see you on Monday." She hurried out of the house. I guess she finally took me seriously.

I walked to the door and watched her drive away and I felt someone come up behind me. It didn't alarm me because I could smell his cologne. I then turned towards him. He was watching the scene outside with a piece of bacon hanging out of his mouth. He then looked at me.

"Damn, you woke up and chose violence today," James said with a hearty laugh. I just shrugged, the bitch had it coming.

Ah, James. James was currently my temporary bodyguard at the moment. Zafrina was still healing even though it had been weeks since she was shot. But until she was 100% James was guarding me. Not that he had to really guard me, we hadn't been anywhere really. James was totally different from Laurent. He was outspoken, funny, and very sarcastic. Actually six weeks ago, he reminded me of Laurent. He hardly talked to me and was all professional. It seemed over the last couple of weeks he had become his true self. I wasn't sure why he was being a hard ass in the beginning but now it was totally different. He had become a friend? I don't know if that was the correct term for us but it was better than being stuck with Laurent. Don't get me wrong I like Laurent, however he is very uptight and devoid of any emotion. James is totally the opposite and doesn't act like being my bodyguard is the worst thing to him. Although, no matter how I felt like James could be my friend or how much I talked to him he would always be loyal to Edward.

I then turned away from him and went to the kitchen to look at the list that Ms. Cope made. She hadn't put down any of the stuff that I told her too. My anger rose again. I put down the items I wanted and then looked up at James.

"So who is going to get these items now?" I didn't regret sending Ms. Cope away but now I was faced with a dilemma.

"That's a good question." James scratched his head.

"We barely have anything in the fridge or pantry. So, it can't wait. I mean I have nothing to cook tonight. Can't we just go to the store real quick?" Edward wouldn't know would he? It's not like he would come home

"Yeah, sorry little B, but that can't happen," James said

"Of course not." My shoulders slumped and I just felt disappointed. I was done being here. Edward said I could start school and I would be able to leave after we were married. But he lied. I mean technically, I did get to start at the University of Washington but it was online classes and I was still stuck in the house.

I marched upstairs back to my room. I mean our room. It should be my room since Edward was never in it! I slammed the door and saw Jessica jump. I forgot she had come up here and I felt bad but then my anger started boiling again. I then saw her tear stained cheeks and suddenly most of my anger went away.

"I'm sorry, Jessica, I shouldn't have slammed the door."

"It's alright, Mrs. Cullen." She then quickly wiped the tears away but there was also a smile on her lips

I looked at the pile of laundry at her feet. She had taken the sheets off and got what little dirty laundry was in the bathroom.

"Do you need help with this?"

She shook her head no. "No ma'am." For some reason that made my blood boil. Seriously, why was she acting so different? She was respectful before but now it was like everything was different.

She picked up the laundry and I stopped her.

"What's going on?" I don't know why it bothered me so much that Jessica was acting like this. It actually hurt my feelings.

"I'm not sure what you mean, Mrs. Cullen" She said with her head bowed

"Stop that! I told you to call me Bella." Seriously, what was going on with her?

"Bella." Her head stayed bowed.

"Okay, really why are you acting like I'm some sort of stranger?"

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Cullen, I mean Bella, I just.." She dropped the laundry in her hands and began crying and fell to the floor. I sat down on the floor with her. I let her cry and I wanted to comfort her in some way but I felt it best to just let her be for a minute.

"I'm sorry, I thought since you're Mrs. Cullen now, I needed to act like before." She wiped her tears harshly from her face.

"Why would you do that, Jessica? Did I do something for you to act like that?" It seriously bothered me that she was acting this way. I thought I had made a friend.

"No, it's just… I've noticed things since I started working for Mr. Cullen. I know who he is well, sort of, and I know you will have to act a certain way now."

I shook my head not even bothering to comment on what she said about Edward. "Anything that happens, will never change us." I wanted her to know that I would always be here

"And I thought maybe since you know what happened at the wedding, you would look at me differently," Jessica said with a sigh.

"Jessica, I know something terrible must have happened. But no, I don't know what."

"Please don't lie," she cried out. "Please?"

"I really don't know. I swear no one told me and I didn't ask." I touched her arm thinking she would recoil but she didn't. "When you're ready to talk to me you can." She nodded and then she hugged me, which must have taken a lot for her to do. She then stood up and faced me

"It's also Ms. Cope who always had comments. I never said anything to Mr. Cullen, I didn't want to lose my job." She rushed out. "She didn't know what happened to me but she always judged me. Mr. Cullen offered me a job here after it happened. I didn't want to complain." She said it so fast like she thought I would fire her for speaking her mind about that bitch.

"Guess it's a good thing I put her on probation then," I giggled. I still felt like a boss for doing that but seriously who did she think she was? Then something Jessica did earlier came back to my mind. Her smile.

"Was that why you were smiling earlier?" I asked. Suddenly a blush came up on her face and she nodded. I grinned back at her. She probably felt relief after hearing that Ms. Cope would only be coming once a week.

"Thank you. I've never had a friend like you before," she told me. I smiled at her and it made me feel good.

"Me either." Then she removed her shirt and I wasn't sure what she was doing but I couldn't look away. There, all over her stomach was scars. It was like someone had taken a cigarette and kept burning her with it. I gasped and she put her shirt back on. I had my hand to my mouth.

"I was raped. Repeatedly and tortured," she said and her tears started falling again.

"I'm so sorry, you didn't deserve that." I went to comfort her and luckily she didn't pull away.

I knew from my schooling and my class on behavioral that something had bad had happened. I thought rape but having her confirm my suspicions, though? I felt horrible for her. She was so sweet, and caring and I could see that even before we became close. I then decided since she showed me I would show her. I unbuttoned my pants and pulled them down. She looked at me and I wondered what she was thinking. I then pulled my panties down just a bit to show her. She gasped but also looked confused then looked back at my face and then I saw realization set on her face.

I was nervous. No one besides Edward had seen it. Here I was showing someone I hadn't known long at all my most shameful spot.

"I didn't want this," I told her. "An ex-boyfriend did it." I noticed I was breathing hard but not freaking out.

She nodded.

"I always wanted love. I never got it from my parents. I thought for some odd reason when I went with "him" I would get love but instead I got pain," she said to me with a sad smile. I stayed quiet. "Thank you, Bella for showing me. As weird as it seems, it's nice to know I'm not alone. I hope one day I can tell you everything."

I understood what she was saying, as morbid as it was she wasn't alone. It seemed she also had the same upbringing that I did.

"Whenever you're ready, I'll be there." She smiled and picked up the sheets. I picked up the rest of the laundry and we made our way to the laundry room downstairs. I left her to it and wandered back to the kitchen.

Seriously, the cabinets were bare and the fridge was almost empty. I really needed to figure out what to do about the grocery situation. Honestly, I couldn't understand why we couldn't just go to the store real quick. I mean, Edward always said not many people knew where he lived so no one would know I left. There had to be more to this then I knew. That's what I didn't understand. Why hadn't I been told anything? I was angry again and I had noticed I had been angry a lot lately.

I went to the living room and grabbed the TV remote. There was nothing on Netflix that held my attention so I went to the HBO Max app.

Suddenly, James came from the back of the couch and jumped over taking a seat near me.

"So what are we watching today, girlie?" I looked at him. with the most dissatisfied face.

"Girlie?"

He started laughing. I just shook my head. Then he stopped laughing.

"Bellaaaaa, what's wrong?" I just looked at him. Like I would tell him what was really bothering me. I didn't want a repeat performance when I went off on Laurent. But, it did get Edward to come home even if he yelled at me. No, I didn't want to be childish. I just felt like I was going insane being here all the time.

"Nothing." I felt defeated. I just kept scrolling through to see what was on, thinking of re-watching Westworld or Game of Thrones again.

"You're killing me. B." James said a little sadly. "I thought my presence would keep you happy."

I snorted while he laughed.

"I'm sorry I'm just blah, I'm tired of being cooped up in this house."

"Well, get out of it." He just said it like I could just get up and go anywhere I wanted to. I cocked an eyebrow at him.

His shoulders slumped. "I meant go outside, swim or take a walk or whatever."

"I don't have a suit, and I really don't feel like taking a run." When I went shopping with Alice, a lifetime ago, I forgot to buy a suit.

"Girl, this is your house. You don't need a suit. Go in your underwear or in your birthday suit." He started snorting and laughing.

I knew he was joking but I just couldn't laugh with him.

"Right, and the men at the front would see me in all my glory."

James stopped laughing and looked at me. "You know what you need?" James said to me seriously.

"What?" I really looked at him because he hadn't acted all serious in a while.

"To get drunk." I laughed but he kept looking at me. He was dead serious.

"Right…" I remember the last time I drank. I shuddered thinking about it.

"Come on, let's get drunk and then maybe you won't be in such a funk." He got up and went to the kitchen and went to a chest in the corner that I hadn't looked in. I actually thought maybe it held china or whatever but nope it was stocked with all the alcohol you could think of. I actually felt dumb. I've been living here for a while and never knew what was in it. But, In my defense I avoided being around Ms. Cope when she was here so that's why I hadn't really explored it.

"What's your poison?" He was lining up shots of something with a brown liquid.

"Um, what's that?"

"Jack Daniels. These are for me unless you want to try?"

I then decided fuck it. Time to get drunk.

EDWARD POV

The past 6 weeks have been fucking stressful, to say the least. After seeing the news broadcast of Aro, I put a lockdown down on the family. I knew shit was going to get hot especially when the Feds came rolling in. I had already been pulled in twice for questioning. Mainly it was to ask about my father and his whereabouts and mine the day of Aro's death. Apparently at the time no one in the FBI knew of the change of power and I liked that it let me slide under the radar. However, that all changed at Aro's funeral. My father, Emmett, and myself attended along with Eleazar. All of Aro's. sons were there, along with some men. It didn't escape my notice that Marcus, his brother or Jane, his daughter, wasn't there. That had me thinking something had happened to them. It didn't escape my notice that neither Demetri or Felix looked sad or even affected by their father's death. Alec on the other hand looked bored as usual. I was 100% sure they had killed Aro based on body language and them not showing up at the meeting nor calling to inform us. It wasn't like we could do anything at the funeral. Anyway, the feds and local police were here.

Demetri also couldn't hide his smirk and made many glances at me but also looked disappointed as well. There could be no other reason for that except for Bella not being by my side. It set so much rage inside me. He wanted her badly and I hadn't forgotten about the handprint he left on her arm.

After the funeral, I had two of my guys trail them, knowing the feds were going to keep a close eye on us, I couldn't be seen following them. I sent two of my low guys Eric and Tyler who weren't that well known to follow them. They were led to a private airstrip and we didn't know where they all had gone.

I was pissed. I had no answers and didn't even know where to begin. Jasper had been tracking properties owned by Aro and had no luck there. We had been at a dead end until three weeks ago when I received a call from Liam, from the Irish Family. He said he was having problems with the Russians. Before all this I had made it my mission to join the Irish Family into the Families. They had been having problems with the Russians for a few months. An agreement with Liam was that I went to Ireland. I just couldn't do that right now with all this mess going on. Then Liam said something that caught my attention, something about some Italians' with Aro's sons. I asked if he could get some pictures of them or some sort of proof to see who they could be. Lo and behold, a few days later I had pictures of Felix helping carry crates of guns.

I told Liam I would help but it would have to be after he joined the families. He didn't really want to do that but agreed and flew out a few days ago. Yesterday, The Irish Family also known as the O' Sullivan Family completed the Four Families again. We celebrated all night and crashed out at Midnight Sun. However, it was my family that zonked out. The Irish had been drinking everyone under a table and it didn't even look like it had affected them. It was also the first night I did not go home.

I had been coming home late after driving around making sure no one was following me. All to lay beside Bella who was dead asleep. I missed her, that much was certain, she didn't really text me much. I was always the one that had to text her first. She didn't really call me either. James had said she had been busy with school but he knew she was bored. I hated that she was but there wasn't much I could do about that right now. I had enough to deal with at the moment.

While business was keeping me busy, I also had a bunch of stuff going on personal wise and none of the trouble was from my wife. Actually, it was my mother and Emmett. Alice had been bitching for a couple of weeks now about mother's behavior. She was currently staying with Alice at the moment. Apparently, mom stayed drunk and according to Alice, she is so loud that she can't even have sex with Jasper. Not like I wanted to know that information. Alice wasn't happy but at the moment I couldn't put mother anywhere else. There had been bombs placed at my parents' house the day of the meeting and until this was over I couldn't let them go back yet. The bombs had been disarmed but since they got that close it was safe to not be there at the moment. Dad, on the other hand, had been going to chemo and when he was done he returned to Alice's. He was so out of it he fell asleep or spent the day sick. He couldn't handle mom right now so that was left up to me and Alice. Emmett on the other hand didn't say shit about his problem but it was affecting his work.

Him and the blondie were still together, but to my knowledge they were fucking miserable. I was also upset at him in the beginning because he was letting her go to class. Rosalie was in law school and had to go. I didn't like it but I knew as soon as she left class, Seth was on her ass. I understood why she had to go and it took a few days but I let it go. Besides, there wasn't a target on the blonde but since she was with Em she would be protected. Bella and Alice however were a different story.

Bella. My thoughts go back to her when they shouldn't. She was safe and probably the most secure out of everyone. I haven't really talked to her lately or explained much to her. I shook my head throwing those thoughts away No! I was Edward Cullen, Head of the Families and I didn't need to explain shit. I had been waiting for years for this to happen. So why was my wife on my mind? I needed to get home. I needed to tell her that I would be leaving in a few days and to tell James what was up. I left Midnight Sun making sure Victoria was there. It was 8 pm so it was still early. Apparently Victoria wasn't happy. She had been snippy lately and I told her she needed to cut that shit out. She apologized but I'm going to guess her problems stemmed from not seeing James.

I went into the underground parking garage where Em was waiting on me. I had given Laurent the night off. He needed it after all this shit and with watching Bella and that Spa shit. I got into Emmett's Jeep and we peeled out of the parking lot. He didn't say anything but was playing with the radio. We were about to go on a hunt and I was excited as shit to take the Volturi down but Em was acting all depressed.

"What's your problem?" I was getting tired of this shit.

"Nothing."

"Bullshit." He was a lying fucker

"It's Rose." Oh. Of course it was. Everything that affected him lately was because of her.

"She still isn't talking to me. After your wedding I thought things would go back to normal but apparently they haven't." I nodded. "Can I skip the Ireland trip?" I looked at him like he had just lost his mind. "I need this Ed, I need to try to work things out." I had no sympathy for him. He wanted to join this family and he took an oath. But before I could speak he spoke up. "Never mind I know." I nodded.

"Look, do you think things would be better if y'all split up? I mean you're both miserable and it can't be healthy."

"Oh! What the fuck do you know about healthy? When was the last time you spent time with your wife or even saw her?" Was this motherfucker for real?

"Don't speak about my relationship fucker." I noticed we had made it into the Lake Washington area.

Emmett laughed. "Relationship? Are you serious brother? We all know that it isn't a relationship. She saw shit and you married her."

I pulled my gun out and aimed it at him. "You don't know shit, brother."

"I know it isn't what you have sold off to Alice, Jasper, and the Parents. "

He was right however I felt like that was changing.

"Listen, don't speak about my wife and I won't comment on your girlfriend. I was just offering you some advice and you blew it up."

"Because you don't know what it is like to be in love. All of their feelings matter. It's just not about you anymore. Your future won't matter if it's all about you. You don't have to grasp concepts, like, am I going to lose the person I love because I don't want children? Will I ever get to marry her? You don't have to worry about any of that shit."

He had made many points. No matter the progress Bella and I had made, we had never talked about the future. However, things between us were much different than they were in the beginning when she agreed to marry me that night.

No other words had been said between Em and I. I know he was pissed and acting out. I was pissed just for the way he talked to me. We soon reached the gate to my home. Mario, my gateman let us in and Emmett pulled up to my garage, I then noticed all the lights downstairs were on. Like every single one. I turned to Em.

"Look go home drink, fuck Rose's brains out, talk or whatever. But next Friday we are leaving for Ireland. Take the whole weekend off. I need your head straight. I need you focused. When you come back, be ready to work." I slipped out of his car and that's when I heard it, the music blaring from my house. I looked back at Emmett with the most menacing glare I could give. "Don't ever speak to me that way again!"

He nodded. "I thought I was talking to my brother for a moment. I guess not." He then peeled out of my driveway. Emmett had made many great points but the way he was acting lately was going to get him killed. I shrugged that whole conversation off and made my way to the front door.

I won't say I wasn't a little alarmed because of the lights and music but it didn't make sense. However when I entered the living room I was met by a sight. Jessica was passed out on the couch with several bottles on the floor. James was wearing a fucking dress. I don't even want to know why the crazy fucker was wearing one. He and Bella, who was in shorts and a short top, were singing karaoke. They were using their phones as microphones and had a shot glass in the other hand.

"Whoa, we're half way there." Bella sang out

"Whoa, we're living on a prayer." James finished getting into that shit and Bella kneeled over in laughter

I instantly got pissed. First off, this is my fucking house.

Second My wife is barely wearing clothes. A thought that raged me and turned me on at the same time.

Third they were singing fucking Bon Jovi.

Fourth, James is supposed to be fucking guarding her not partying with her.

I let out a grunt and they both whipped their heads to me. Bella looked caught like she was in some trouble or some shit. I also noticed how she swayed. Damn she was out of it and seriously hammered. What was James thinking? He wasn't thinking that was the problem. I had given him the job to watch her and here they were drunk.

"Boss." James said while turning off the TV.

I was enraged. I couldn't talk but I felt my body start shaking. I saw Bella out of the corner of my eye sit on the couch and close her eyes. I bet she was regretting drinking now. I turned my attention back to James. I needed to have a conversation with him but I couldn't do that now while he was drunk. I also couldn't beat the shit out of him like I wanted to in front of Bella or the possibility of Jessica waking up. There was no telling what that would do to her.

I noticed Bella slump on the couch and I quickly made my way to her. I was a little concerned however she was breathing fine.

"She drank too much." James said. I looked at him, angry again.

"Outside!" I yelled not even waking Bella or Jessica up. "First, you gotta change. I can't talk to you in a dress."

I made my way outside leaving the front door open knowing James would follow soon. I started pacing back and forth. What the fuck had possessed him? I then heard the front door close and James dressed in his jeans and shirt. He stayed at the end of the steps. I stopped pacing and looked at him.

"Get it over with," he said. He knew what was coming. I moved to him fast and punched the shit out of him.

He held his face and I saw blood coming out of his nose. "Damn. Shit. Fuck," he yelled, I definitely heard a crack.

"Have you lost your fucking mind? I mean did you even think?" I said enraged

He wiped the blood away and I looked at his nose. I definitely broke it. He turned toward the side and grabbed his nose. I heard him fix it followed by a bunch of fucks.

After he had finished, he looked back at me. "Boss, listen I may have let things get overboard. But, look, she's been in a funk. I told you that the other day."

"And? You thought it would be best to get totally shitfaced? Especially when we're in fucking lockdown!" I screamed! "You have to be on alert at all times!"

"Hear it from my side, okay?" he said calmly and the fucker didn't even look like he was drunk now. "You know I take mental health seriously? Especially after what happened to my mom."

I nodded. James' mother took her life five years ago after his dad died. She couldn't handle being alone. James tried to get her to leave the house but she refused. He tried to talk to her but she wouldn't talk back. He even tried getting her in therapy. One day he went to check on her and found her in the bathtub with slit wrists. I actually let him off for 6 months at the time. It took him a while to get back to himself.

"Look. Bella," He started again.

I interrupted him "Excuse me?" He knew better than that shit.

"I mean Mrs. Cullen. When I first started coming over here she seemed fine but over the past few weeks I've noticed her moods change. She's in a funk, not really happy. I acted like my true self and she seemed to be somewhat better but here the past few days she went back into a funk. She wants to leave, go out and shit and that's not possible right now. I told her to go swim or something and she said she didn't have a suit. I let her drink because she needed to relax. Both her and Jessica are so edgy, it's insane. I may have let them get carried away but every person needs to get hammered once in their lives. You also told me to keep her happy."

"Yeah, keep her happy. That didn't mean for all of you to get fucking wasted!" I then really looked at him now that I had calmed down some.

"You're not even drunk are you?" He smirked and shook his head. "I had a couple of shots. You know it takes a lot for me to be out of it. I was on point." I felt a little bad now for breaking his nose but he had not done his job. "I had a few so the girls wouldn't feel out of place."

"But the dress?" James started laughing while holding his stomach. "Um, Bella bet me that I wouldn't try on her dress." He looked away. " You know I couldn't back down from that bet."

I nodded but then I felt enraged again. I pulled out my gun and aimed it at that motherfucker. He quit laughing and his eyes went wide as saucers. For some reason I became jealous. Why did it bother me that he had spent so much time with Bella? I had made it that way. They were drinking together, singing karaoke, and who knows what else.

"Are you trying to fuck her? Huh? Are you trying to fuck my wife?"

"Whoa! Boss no!" James became serious again holding his hands up "She's like a little sister to me, both her and Jessica. I was trying to let her have some fun. You know my dick has Vic's name on it!" I nodded and put my gun down. My chest started going up and down. I don't know why I got heated like that. I needed to calm down fast especially before I went back inside to face my wife.

"You good?" James asked concerned

"Yeah. Get Jessica home." He nodded and made his way back inside. What was wrong with me? Why was I acting like this? James was just trying to make Bella happy because I couldn't at the moment. It made me jealous. That was the answer to it. I couldn't be here to make my wife happy. I had to make sure she was safe. Everyone was trying to get her; Demetri, Jacob and her father. For some reason walking in on that whole scene, I was reminded of Benji and I put James in his place. It was wrong and that was the whole reason I had put James here in the first place to keep Bella happy. James then came out with Jessica walking beside him. He was holding most of her weight. She must have been really drunk to not notice the close proximity she was in. He loaded her in his car saying he would get someone to come get her car in the morning before he pulled out and headed for the gate.

I made my way back inside and Bella was still on the couch. I would leave her there for right now as I made my way to the kitchen. I was starving! I hadn't eaten since lunch. I went to the fridge and noticed there wasn't anything in it besides milk and cheese. I then checked the microwave and nothing was in there either. What the fuck? Did Ms. Cope not go to the store today? Had something happened? Why hadn't I been informed? I went to the pantry. There was some bread there but that was it. Oh and some canned goods. I then turned around and there on the kitchen table was a grocery list. I grabbed it and made my way to the living room to ask Bella. But my heart dropped when I didn't see her on the couch. I quickly looked around. She didn't leave, did she? No, I would have heard her leave. Where did she go then? I listened for any sounds but was met with silence. Then I felt something behind me. I quickly turned around and was about to pull my gun when I noticed it was Bella. She had a smile on her face but then it turned to terror. Her focus on my gun the whole time. I quickly put it away and noticed she had started to lean on the kitchen counter. I forgot that she was hammered.

"Hey." I said it quiet and controlled. "You okay?

She nodded, however, her gaze hadn't moved from my waist. She started to sway and I caught her. I picked her up and made my way to the bedroom. She needed to sleep this off. I could talk to her tomorrow. I laid her down and noticed she had gone back to sleep again. I covered her up and made my way to the shower. My hunger was now gone which was surprising since I hadn't eaten. I stripped off. Relaxing under the hot water, my muscles became relaxed. When I was done, I put my boxers on followed by my pajama pants. I then walked back into the bedroom and I swear I jumped out of my skin when I saw Bella jumping on the bed.

Was she trying to give me a heart attack? She was literally just asleep. She then noticed me and started to smile real big.

"Hey Google, play "Is This Love" by Whitesnake." I then heard the music play and Bella started dancing. For some reason I became mesmerized watching her. She was so graceful. It was like time had slowed down and I was fully appreciating her beauty. She then ran at me and my instincts kicked in and I caught her. I was totally unprepared for that. This didn't seem like a Bella thing.

"Is this love that I'm feeling?" She sang and two things happened at once. One, did she mean anything she was saying? Why choose this song? And second, I became hard. It was impossible not to. Her legs were around my waist and my beautiful drunk wife started grinding on me.

"Oh! Someone does want me!" she said loudly. I then started chuckling before she attacked me with her mouth. It felt like time had slowed down again before she quit kissing me. I won't deny that I didn't want her and it wasn't because I was sexually frustrated.

"Come on, my big bad husband fuck me." My eyes bugged out but then reality came back in and I knew Bella didn't have a clue what she was saying. She was so drunk she probably didn't even hear herself. I then carried her back to the bed and told Google to stop.

"Aww! You're ruining my fun!" She yelled. "I never get to have any fun!"

I looked her in the eyes, those beautiful brown shining eyes and I kissed her.

"Oh yeah! That's it!" She began to take her shirt off. I stopped her. "Why?" She cried out

"You're drunk, beautiful, get some sleep, we'll talk in the morning." There was no way I would take advantage of her in this state. Nor would I in any state. Just because she said she did, I knew when she woke up and realized what happened she would be regretting it.

When she laid down her face went white and she jumped up and went to the bathroom. Moments later I heard her throwing up. I followed after and decided to hold her hair.

BELLA POV

My eyes opened slowly and I took in my surroundings. I slowly rose up holding my head which was throbbing. The morning light came in through the balcony doors and I avoided looking that way. The first thing I realized was that I was in my bed. How did I get here? Last thing I remembered was singing with James then... oh my god. Memories came back to me and the last one that flashed was me attacking Edward. I quickly stood up but regretted it as I became dizzy.

Once I had my bearings, I glanced around but no one was in the room or the bathroom. I really wanted to take a shower because I smelled horrible, however I needed to know if Edward was here. After I used the bathroom, I made my way to the bedroom door and slowly went down the stairs until I reached the landing. I smelled something cooking from the kitchen and I was instantly hit with rage. Did that bitch not listen? She literally came back today. Why did the guard let her in? I literally called him to inform him right before I started drinking with James.

I flushed thinking about what I could remember from yesterday. I mean it was yesterday right? After I had begun to get tipsy, Jessica had wandered out and wondered what we were doing. I offered her a shot and she didn't want it. She was afraid she would lose her job if she drank. However I told her she wouldn't and she took one. She probably needed it and next thing I know we were betting James to wear my dress. I giggled but then I went to the living room to see if Jessica was there she wasn't and neither was the mess we had left.

I then made my way to the kitchen. There was some toast on a plate, many pieces. Some type of sandwich was cooking on the stove. When I got closer to it I noticed it was a grilled cheese. I stood there because the house was eerily quiet. Ms. Cope never left the kitchen it seemed so where was she?

"Oh, You're awake!" I screamed as Edward came from behind me and made his way back into the kitchen.

"You okay?" He asked me all concerned but headed to the stove to flip his sandwich. I then noticed my husband wasn't in nothing but some pyjama pants that were snug low on his hips. My eyes stayed on that and now I was all bothered.

"Bella?"

I was brought out of my ogling. "Yes?"

He was smirking at me but then asked me if I was okay.

"I'm fine." I took a seat at the table. Edward handed me a water and the plate of toast.

"It's all I know how to cook besides I didn't think you'd be in the mood for much else."

"Thank you." I said while I bit off a small piece of toast. I know I needed to take it easy.

"You're welcome," Edward said as he joined me at the table with his sandwich.

"A sandwich, huh?" I said while he looked at me offering a shy grin.

"Well, there wasn't much else to eat. Still not sure why. I'm hoping you can explain that." He looked curious? Did he not know?

"I guess I should have waited until she came back from the store, but..." I took another bite and I noticed I had Edward's attention

"But what?" I quit eating and looked at Edward. He had also stopped eating.

"You don't know? Really? James didn't tell you?" Actually was James even here? Or Jessica? It seemed quiet.

"Tell me, Bella. Why is there no food to eat in my house?"

"I put Ms. Cope on probation," I sad it quickly but also nervously.

"Why?" he said all confused.

I let out a sigh, "She made some comments toward Jessica. She didn't listen to me. So I told her she would only come 2 days a week. She then started yelling at me so it went down to one."

Many expressions went through Edward's face. He didn't say anything for a beat to a minute but then grabbed his nose with his thumb and finger and let out a sigh.

"She yelled at you?" He didn't seem happy.

"Yeah, but it was handled. I think she'll take me more seriously from now on." I said smirking

"No!"

My smirk disappeared, "I told her she was gone if she messed up again."

Edward moved his plate to the side.

I didn't like Ms. Cope, I didn't. However, the woman had probably been doing this her entire life and right now I liked being the one in control of her fate. She had been so vile and ugly to me and Jessica. But, the rational side of me won out, she would need a job. I mean this was probably her life.

"Look, if she steps out of line again you can personally fire her yourself." I said and for the first time I felt a little remorse at my actions.

Edward stayed quiet. Staring holes through me. I quit eating my toast. "What?"

"Did you really just tell me what to do?" Edward said all pissed now.

I slumped. Really? Were we back here? Did he have to display his control all the time? I pushed my plate away and stared right back at him. My anger rose, my hangover just a numbing pain in the back of my head now. This whole time I've missed him and now I wanted him gone. Why tell me he wanted a partner then treat me like his child? I rolled my eyes and made my way upstairs. I would just hole myself up in the bedroom and avoid him till he left. I was so exhausted from having to go through with this every time!

Before I could take the first step, I was pulled back by my arm. Edward turned me around and then we were eye to eye.

"Don't walk away from me when I ask you a question!" He yelled

"Then don't treat me like a fucking child!" I screamed. I finally fucking snapped. All week I've been wondering when It would happen and today was the day.

"Then quit acting like one, Princess!" He yelled back and he was applying pressure to my arm.

"Princess?" I asked. I remember when he called me that when I first came here.

"Yeah, I call you Princess when you're acting bratty," he said. I also noticed he had calmed down some.

"Bratty? I'm acting bratty? If this is acting bratty then your acting like a fucking dictator!" I swear I saw the smoke come out of his ears. But I decided fuck it. I was miserable and I decided he needed to know how miserable I was.

"For the past six weeks I have been trapped in this house. I can't go anywhere not even the fucking store! I get it though it's for my safety." I did air quotes. "But I don't even know what's going on. I feel like everyone is in the know but me. I don't know if that guy from the wedding is causing problems or if it's Jacob? I don't know anything! Do you know how it feels to sit here wondering why you're in the dark? Why your husband never tells you anything? Why your husband doesn't trust you? Or that those two days you spent together didn't mean shit to him. Or that you come to realize your husband lied to you about having a future and the only thing he ever wanted was to be boss?"

I tried to hold back a sob but I couldn't. I think, in that moment, I realized I cared more for Edward than I wanted to admit. I quickly wiped away my tears and stared at him. He looked at me but he didn't say anything. I let out a sob and ran up the rest of the stairs into our bedroom and went into the bathroom and slammed the door. Why did it hurt? My heart ached. I looked at myself in the mirror and noticed how puffy my eyes were. I also thought, in that moment, that I didn't mean as much to Edward as I thought I did. I needed to toughen up and just accept that I was going to be miserable the rest of my life. I didn't want to though but at this point I just didn't see the point.

After I calmed down some and my face wasn't as red as it was before. I went to open the bathroom door and was met by Edward. I just stared at him. He didn't look mad like before but he also looked remorseful? His gaze was piercing and I looked down but that wasn't any better since he was shirtless and I was faced with those snug pj bottoms.

"Bella," he said in a quiet voice.

I couldn't look up, I was afraid I would cry again. He didn't give me much choice when his hand brought my face up.

"Bella." He looked at me tenderly. "I'm sorry." I looked at him and I swear my heart dropped. He had told me he doesn't apologize much and yet he had to me so many times. He always gave me mood swings though. He was caring and then he wasn't. I knew from a class I had to take on behaviors that there was some emotional issues going on with Edward. My husband may be the head of a family and ruthless but it was obvious something was up.

"Why do you say that and go back to acting like you don't care? Why? It kills me?" God, I'm so stupid why did I admit that to him?

"Because I don't know how to be truly happy," he told me and my heart dropped.

"I used to be a happy kid until I turned 12. Everything changed after that. I was loved by my parents. Emmett was born when I was 3, Alice 2 years after that. My dad was gone a lot. I didn't know who he was then. Not who he truly was. I knew he was someone important. When I was about to turn 12, I saw my father covered in blood. That's when I found out who he was, who he truly was. After that I paid more attention to my father. The power and control he oozed. I wanted it. He saw straight through me too. The day after my party I saw a side of my father that I have never seen. A side that forgot all about that lovable dad I had known before. He made me feel things I've never felt. He made me feel things till I couldn't feel anymore. He hollowed me out until I was nothing then filled me up with things I had to know. This. Being Boss until it was all I wanted."

I didn't know what to say. I felt bad for him. "I'm sorry." I didn't know what else to say. Shocked to be honest. How could he still want to be around his father? Wait, he hated his father. I always wondered why and now I had my answer. I mean I didn't know the full story but it was obvious now the hate. I went to sit on the bed, my legs hurting from standing.

Edward turned toward me. "Don't be sorry Bella, he was right. It was what I wanted." Edward wasn't crying. Edward hadn't shown any emotion. "I became what I always wanted." Edward came closer to where he towered over me. "I had control and then this brunette comes into my life and turns it upside down." His arms on either side of me. I actually started getting scared. "Turns it upside fucking down!" He shouted. I cringed. I was actually worried now. But then his face softened a bit. "I scared you, didn't I?" He smirked but was waiting on an answer.

And that was exactly what I was talking about. The mood swings. Hell, he was giving me mood swings! One moment I wanted to comfort him, the next I wanted to slap him! Unfortunately, that smirk hadn't left his face, so that's what I did in fact was slap him. My eyes went wide as soon as I saw his face go to the side. I'll admit I got scared when it did. When he turned his head back to me, I gulped. His eyes were on fire and he looked minutes away from losing it. I couldn't look away though. He then relaxed some and then did something I didn't expect.

His lips smashed into mine and his hand went into my hair. I kissed him back and grabbed his head. Our tongues swirled, and I felt him get hard. It didn't bother me when it should have. Then Edward stopped, and I opened my eyes. His eyes were boring into mine, looking at me curiously until it came to a realization. He got off of me and laid beside me. I'll admit I felt hurt, rejected.

Big fat traitor tears came down my face, I put my arm over my eyes.

"Bella?" I heard him ask and I didn't move my arm but he did. "Why are you crying?" He asked, concerned.

"I'm not" My voice giving me away.

He chuckled. " What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Bella, don't do that. Tell me." He sounded concerned but also annoyed

I huffed out a breath. "You don't want me." I let the tears fall. He quickly grabbed me and pulled me on top of him and grabbed my face.

"I do. Trust me, I do. Can't you feel how much I do? But, I don't think you're ready for that." I shook my head, I was ready. "Bella, no you're not, not yet and when you are, trust me I'll make it happen." He kissed me again but I got off of him

"Yeah it doesn't matter how long I have to wait does it? I mean that doesn't affect you whatsoever does it?" I was enraged and I wasn't sure why.

"What do you mean?" He sat up while I started pacing the room

"I'm sure you're getting it from some whore at the club or whatever." Now I was acting all insecure and I didn't like this.

I kept pacing and Edward grabbed me and held my face. "Listen Bella, I haven't done anything sexual since before I met you."

"Don't lie to me!" I screamed. What the hell?

"Don't scream at me!" he yelled. "I'm not fucking lying! Why would I when I have you?"

I looked at him and started crying again. "You mean that?" I whispered all those cheating thoughts gone from my head

"Yes, when you're ready, okay?" I laid back down and Edward came with me.

"I'm sorry." I let it out. I just started to cry. He was right, I wasn't ready, not yet anyway. But, it felt better knowing we were sort of on the same track. He held me the rest of the day. Well I think the rest of the day, I fell asleep. When I woke up It was Saturday and I made my way downstairs and went to the kitchen. I opened the fridge before realizing that it was empty. Imagine my surprise when it was full. I then went to the pantry and noticed it had been stocked as well. Did Edward go when I was asleep? Did someone else?

I went back to the fridge and pulled out some eggs and bacon. Then I went to the pantry and got some pancake batter. The bacon was sizzling when I felt arms wrap around on my stomach. I touched the arms with one of my hands while the other held the fork. I fiddled with the wedding band on the person's finger. His head was buried in my neck.

"Mhm... it smells good." Edward said. He then removed his arms and came and sat on top of the counter.

"Did you go to the store last night?" I asked.

"I did." He did? I looked at him with a questionable glance but he was serious. Wow, I would have never expected Edward to go to the store and was surprised he hadn't sent anyone else. But wasn't it dangerous for him to go? Then I was hit with another thought

"Did you clean up the living room the other night?"

"Yes I did." No hesitation at all. I looked at him. "Thank you for both."

"You're welcome"

I finished breakfast and we sat down to eat. We spent the morning cuddling and making out. We talked some more. He needed me to know there were different ways to act. I remembered the conversation we had that seemed so long ago about how I needed to act around certain people. However, it wasn't that conversation. He needed me to understand that he had different faces around others. He had to be powerful and in control, he couldn't be seen as someone weak. But he said, when it was just the two of us he would be real, his true self.

I understood to a certain extent. I was getting it. I remembered what Alice had said before too. I was going to try my hardest to be the person I needed to be beside him. Well by Sunday evening that went all to shit. He told me he was going to have to go to Ireland on Friday then Russia and he didn't know when he would be back. He told me the Volturi had fled there and they needed to be stopped. I almost had a breakdown, We would be apart thousands of miles apart. I calmed down when I realized he had to go. He also told me some of what was going on but not to tell Alice or his mother they were leaving. He didn't want many to know. He said he didn't want the wrong people knowing.

Monday, I had my surgery. Thankfully, Dr. Lopez only had to use some of the graft. She had confirmed when it was done that it had only made it through two layers of skin and that she was able to cut it out. She said I would be in some pain and provided me with some painkillers. I stayed there in her office. It was done in her clinic which held an operating room. Edward had paid Dr. Lopez, her nurse and the anesthesiologist to keep quiet. I stayed there until Tuesday evening when she decided I was well enough to go home. Edward had been by my side the whole time.

I stayed in my bed with Edward and Jessica taking care of me. Jessica actually moved into one of the guest rooms and was going to stay until I was better. Edward was surprised that I had shown her that but he understood. I had changed the dressing one night and finally really looked at it. It was gross right now but it made me happy to no longer see the JB there.

By Friday, I was still feeling some pain and tenderness. It wasn't going to stop me from seeing Edward off at the airport. He was against it but made a deal that I wouldn't leave the car. When we arrived he gave me a lingering kiss.

"I'll be back as soon as I can," he said.

"I know." Putting on my brave face.

"I'll call you."

"I know."

Edward sighed then was about to get out of the car when I pulled him back before he could open the door

I kissed him again. "Come back to me"

"Always!"

He then left the car and headed to the private jet. Emmett, Laurent, and a few others were waiting alongside a huge guy with flaming red hair. James got back in the car after getting out to provide some time for us to say goodbye. He pulled away but looked so annoyed.

"What?" I asked.

"Really wish I could kill some Italian scum." He then smiled at me

"Sorry you're stuck with me," I said sadly.

"That's not what I meant, little B. I enjoy being around you."

I didn't say anything as we drove on.

When we pulled into the gate I was shocked to see Rose's car in the driveway. I was also shocked to see she didn't have a guard. I got out of the car and made my way to Rose who was leaning up against her door.

"Rose?"

"Yo, How are you here without a guard?" James boomed.

"Because I don't have one anymore." Rose said simply.

What the fuck? Why didn't she have a guard?

"Go call Seth if you don't believe me."

James nodded and headed inside.

"What's going on Rose?" I was nervous

"Emmett and I broke up." I gasped but then looked at her car. She had some boxes in the small back seat of her car. I'm sure her trunk was full.

"What? When?" I couldn't believe Edward didn't say anything or maybe he didn't know

"Sunday night. I had an acceptance to a law school in Portland. My father was known there so they are going to let me come and transfer my credits. I've already bought a small apartment there as well."

"You're leaving." Duh Bella, she just told you she was. For some reason my brain hadn't understood yet.

"I am B. I'll keep in touch, I promise. Hopefully you can come visit me."

I started crying.

"Oh, B, don't" She started crying. "You're probably the only girl that can make me cry." She chuckled, however, I couldn't laugh with her.

"Why?"

"Oh, B, you know why. I couldn't stay no matter how much I thought it through. I couldn't give up my dream for him. I love Emmett so much it hurts. I told him I couldn't budge on it. I didn't like the person he had turned into. Then Friday he came home and I just had come to terms. I couldn't decide if I was going to be in his future. On Friday night I knew it was over. I couldn't keep on having the same fight with him. So on Sunday I told him I couldn't do this anymore and give him what he wanted. I think he realized it too, B. He let me go. Today was the first time I saw him since Sunday. I don't know where he has been. But he told me bye and wished me all the best. Like what the fuck? Six months meant shit to him." Rose just went off and kept mumbling

She was hurting. Bad. Then a thought crossed my mind.

"Rose? What about seeing him," I came down to a whisper "covered in blood?"

Rose quit pacing. "Oh that? Ha! He brought it up and goes if I ever said anything they wouldn't believe me. Whoever "they"arel. I would never say anything. I mean I don't even know who it was." My heart raced. That shit scared me. Rose didn't even realize she had said it. She then looked at me.

"B, I'm sorry. I feel like all this is my fault. I wished I could take you with me. You didn't deserve any of this." She was right but she was also wrong. I may have had consequences coming here but on the other hand it was better than what could have happened.

I shook my head. "You saved me, Rose, from Jacob!" Rose cried. "There's nothing more I could have asked for in a friend." We both started crying and hugging each other.

"I wished it could have been different for you though," Rose said. "But I can see the changes."

"What do you mean?" Rose looked at me with a smirk. "Don't play coy, it was different in the beginning but now you care for him. I can see how much you have changed."

I smiled. She was right I did care for Edward a great deal. Then I looked back at her

"I wished things could have been different for you too."

Rose smiled but it wasn't a true one. "Who knows, maybe I'll find my Prince Charming soon." She laughed but you could hear all the hurt in her voice. Rose was tough as nails, but she let Emmett in and now she was paying the price. The one I was afraid to pay.

"Or you already did." Rose then gave me a glare. I held my hands up in surrender.

"I'm going to miss you, Rose." I hugged her again being careful of not putting pressure below my stomach

"All right, B, I gotta jet." She then made her way to the driver's side. "Catch you later!" She then drove out as I waved. As soon as the gate closed behind her I dropped to the steps near the front door and watched my tears hit the pavement.