Chapter 12 Heartbreak Princess


Hi all, this chapter is the aftermath of Bella's confession. Is James plotting something? We will have to find out!


A week had passed since I had confessed what had happened with James. I did not realize how much I was internalizing the whole situation. Truthfully, I was relieved he was far away and not in close vicinity. We were very protected here in the Castle. I shuddered thinking of what would happen at the end of our year together. I knew this fantasy was set to come to an end. I could only hope James would be dealt with by then.

I texted Charlie the next morning and told him I would FaceTime him soon with Edward. I simply stated, "It's not true daddy, I promise I will explain soon." He wrote me back that he could kill him if I wanted. True Charlie humor. It both made me tear up and laugh at the same time. I was dreading our FaceTime call and kept pushing it each day.

We decided it was best Charlie was aware of what occurred with James in case he tried to retaliate against me. Charlie, Ang, and Jess were the only close ties I had back in the states at the moment thankfully. I texted Jess and Ang and explained that they too needed to be aware of James but it seemed less likely he would go after them. I called them a few days back and thoroughly explained the situation.

We all cried it was very emotional. They wished I had opened up to them sooner. I wish I had too. I felt so much lighter getting this all off my chest.

I was fearful of what James would do to my friends and family. I didn't talk to him much about Jess and Ang. I mainly shared about Renee and Charlie. I regretted ever opening my mouth to James. There was no telling what info had been holding on to or what his plan was next.

A week had passed since the initial article was released and things felt like such a train wreck. I felt helpless and stayed inside the Castle as much as possible. The paparazzi were relentless. Esme was correct they treated women very differently than men regarding scandals.

Emmett was running a full background check on James and his father. He also had hired a private investigator to look into things for us in Washington. We needed a better idea of what we were dealing with before we shared any side of my story. Thinking about his father and him gave me the chills. There seemed to be something shady going on with the town of Pullman. How did James always know my location? How was he able to sweep all of this under the rug so easily? I wondered if there were any other victims of his abuse. I prayed there were not.

To my surprise, the Cullen family had my back. The king even gave me a genuine hug and told me we would be sorting this all out. He seemed to pity me more. We still had a weird tension but he was a kind man who could not fathom what I had been through. Everyone seemed to be on eggshells around me. I didn't want to be pitied it was the last thing I wanted. We were still getting to know one another and I felt I had brought so much drama to them. The guilt was eating away at me. Edward kept scolding me to stop biting my lip. It seemed to be a battle my lip did not have a chance against.

The gossip had not stopped. More articles popped up about my past. Somehow someone found out about Riley and me dating. I felt so exposed to the world. James' supporters were at an all-time high. He was even trending on Twitter as #heartbrokenjames. I had to keep reminding Edward we will take him down the right way. We could not rush this process. Even if it was extremely painful for me.

The media named me "the heartbreak princess" it was a play on Edward's nickname. They claimed we both were heartbreakers who were doomed in our marriage. If only they knew the truth about our union. I prayed no one would find the truth out. It could ruin Edward's credibility.

Alice and Rose were the best support for me during this time. They let me scream and cry out my frustrations daily. Alice even set up a day where we threw pottery in the castle in a safe room. She somehow knew what I needed. I swore at times she was psychic or at least was a very large empath. She was always keen on my senses and kept a light energy around me. I was so grateful for her friendship and support.

We had to keep a lot of what was going on under wraps with the staff. We could not bring any more unnecessary attention toward Edward and me. I felt I was constantly being monitored. I felt relieved when I found myself at the end of my days retreating into the safe space of our bedroom. Edward knew just how to distract me from all that was going on. I felt safe in his arms. I let myself slip and believe he felt the same as I did. I couldn't remind myself that our time together was coming closer and closer to an end.

Edward had to share the recording of my confession with his family. It was the simplest way to tell them the story of James. I felt uncomfortable knowing they all had listened to my story in full but it was truly necessary so we all could game plan together. We kept this all very hush around staff and any contractors coming through the Castle. We could not risk any info getting through to the press before we had a true handle on things. We were going to get an update tomorrow regarding James and his father. For some reason, I was dreading learning about their past. I just knew there would be something unpleasant lurking around the Hunters. They seemed shadier the more I thought about them.

To my dismay, today we were headed to another "Princess event." In normal situations, I would be excited about this day. Any time I left the castle I was hounded by the paparazzi. They were unrelenting. I also knew today's event would involve Kate, Tanya's cousin. Our last encounter was uncomfortable enough. She was the face of the foundation we were supporting today.

Today's event was something I was looking forward to just a few short weeks ago. The royal family had partnered with Kate's family to set up a book drive for the underprivileged youth in Cordova. It was a free supported book program where each month the young children would be eligible for a new book sent to their home. It gave a chance for local authors to showcase their new books and underprivileged children access to new books and education. I had come up with the idea based on Dolly Parton's imagination library in the US. Edward kept reminding me how many children we were helping by setting up this drive. I truly wanted to feel happier about the situation but the thought of leaving the Castle gave me high anxiety.

"Bella love, if you bite that lip of yours anymore it will bleed" he sighed rubbing his finger along my battered lip.

I shrugged and pulled my teeth away from my lip. My nerves were all over the place. I had a feeling Kate would try to get another rise out of me today. She had to love the bad press that had come my way.

No one knew how evil James was. Most pitied him.

"Are you sure you cannot make it today?" I pouted at Edward. He also had another event today. Our schedules were at an all-time high, we were in damage-control mode. The better the press, the more we could push this James situation behind us.

He grabbed me and held my hands softly. "If I could make it today you know I would, you'll have Rose and Alice today with you love. You will be okay, you are stronger than they know."

His lips found mine, I pulled my hands to his hair and pulled. He growled back in reaction. I needed more of him, we needed more of one another. We stumbled to bed knowing today would be a long day for us both. We needed to get the tension off both of our backs. Our daily routine of exploring one another's bodies. It was my favorite time of the day.

Edward slid himself into me, hurried to find both of our releases before Alice barged in. "So good" he grunted out. Pulling at my hair and nipping my neck in the process. He had mastered the art of not leaving any visible marks on my body. It took a lot of restraint on his part.

I scratched at his back as he quickened his pace. Moaning his name as we neared both of our releases. "Edward don't stop" I practically yelled. His fingers found my way to my clit. I unwound around him unable to hold back anymore.

He pulled out and lazily kissed my lips and started a shower for us both. The sex had distracted me from what was to come. I was thankful for it, it was the one joy I had to look forward to. Always new and exciting. It never got old. He was intoxicating. I felt like an addict who needed their fix over and over again.

Our day seemed to go into autopilot. Edward headed out to his event while hair and makeup found their way to me. Alice and Rose had gone for a more "relaxed" Princess look today since this was for Charity. My hair was styled in a half up half-down loose updo. I wore a matching skirt and blazer set, with an edge. It was hot pink. Alice's choice of course. She knew I needed to upstage Kate. All attention would be on both of us. My confidence would be boosted if I looked the part, and boy did I look the part. At times I hardly recognized myself after Alice and Rose dressed me up. I felt like their paper doll always delighted by their creative minds.

The event passed by us quickly. It was a huge success. We had raised about 100,000 pounds toward the book drive. This would help fund the first 6 months of books and support the authors we had partnered with. This drive was a lot of blood sweat and tears and I felt so relieved it was a success. Next, I wanted to do something involving writing workshops for underprivileged youth. It was something I felt passionate about. Everyone should have access to books and education.

Kate seemed to be on her best behavior. We were photographed together several times. We both had a very good face. From the outside perspective, you may even have thought the two of us were friends. I kept talking to her to a minimum. I was relieved she did the same.

As the event came to a close I heard a snide remark from behind me. "Poor James, you not only ruined things for him you ruined it for Edward and me"

I turned around in disbelief and stared at Kate. She was so unaware of what James had done. If she knew the real story would she even care, I wondered.

"Kate you have no clue what you are talking about. My husband and I are happy with one another" I flatly smiled. She had gotten a rise out of me and she knew it.

"I actually reached out to James, we had a lovely chat, Bella. He told me so much great info about our new Princess." She smiled at me. She came closer to me and twirled my hair around with her finger. From an outside perspective, she seemed as if she was admiring me.

My stomach turned as she mentioned his name. She had no clue who she was talking to. She had no clue James was a rapist and not safe. I silently worried for her.

"Kate he's not a good man" I lamely whispered unable to form any more words. I couldn't elaborate, not yet.

"He seems fine to me. We have a lot in common. We both want to expose you for the gold digger you are" she whispered back at me.

My feet couldn't move. I was unable to form any more remarks to her. I felt so unsafe knowing the two of them were talking. He was plotting something and my stomach couldn't settle knowing the two of them were planning something. I could just feel it.

"Watch your back, Bella. That crown will be mine soon. Edward will be mine." She twirled my hair once more. She smiled at me and said one last thing "Soon" she pranced off and left me there. I wondered if my jaw was hanging to the floor.

My stomach was in knots. I knew my troubles with her and James were only beginning. Alice found me and sensed what had occurred and guided us to say our goodbyes. She reminded me how well we did today and how many children we were going to help. I couldn't ease, I think we both sensed something bad was coming soon.


What is Kate and James planning? Poor Bella, will she ever get to just relax?

Hope you enjoyed. If you have any suggestions let me know xxx