A/N: A quick thank you to everyone who added this story in their alerts and/or added it to their favorite list. It truly means a lot to me.

Chapter 18-

Bella's POV-

"Charlie…um…dad?" I hesitantly whispered into the phone, a glance around me stolen as I ensured that no one had heard me utter that one dangerous word, scared beyond sanity that I would be caught in the act. But so far, luck seemed to be on my side.

"Bel…who's this?" The question was unconvincing as a confused and slightly apprehensive, as expected, Charlie waited for me to respond.

I was sure though that this was him talking to me.

For one, Sulpicia had assured me that this was his contact number; apparently, a few years ago Aro had decided on creating a database. He had been concerned about the fact that he was clueless on who out there was a friend and who was an enemy, and hence needed a list of allies and ways to reach them in case required. Carlisle Cullen had been one of those to co-operate. He had quickly registered himself as a friend- yes, there was a check box and all provided- mentioning the contact details of everyone in his clan, email address included. He had then convinced his slightly apprehensive relative Tanya to do the same, which led to Aro's database having a mention of Charlie's new phone number and email address. It hadn't been easy to get it out of there, needless to point out, but Sulpicia had somehow managed. From what I had understood, she had bribed Aro with sex, gross- I know, stating how she wanted to talk to a long-forgotten friend, needing Aro to get the database to her bedroom for that purpose. Luckily, a laid Aro was slightly more bearable and had only- partially- reluctantly agreed, Sulpicia quickly stealing Charlie's contact number from it when Aro's attention was diverted…selecting dirty lingerie for their next round. Jeez. I am fully aware that I have too much information about their sex life!

Anyhow, that was part A of our plan, part B including Athenadora stealing Corin's cell phone right from under her nose. Now, for the record, Corin wasn't allowed to get her phone out of her sight- the wives weren't privileged enough to have phones!

But when was the vulnerable human going to come into play? Pretending to be sick surrounded by vampires who had not a clue of what human sickness looks like, was easier than even imagined, and before we knew it, Corin who had been on her phone when I had forced myself to puke, was running through the tower corridors, needing Aro's guidance on what to do with the sick human, leaving her forgotten phone behind for us to grab and use.

But we did not have much time with us!

Sulpicia was keeping track of Corin's movements, and in case anyone entered the tower, while Athenadora stood guarding me, leading me towards the one rare corner in this tower where sunlight filtered in, a tightly locked window being its source and my only ray of comfort these days. My request for artificial light had been approved, from what I had last heard, but was yet to be granted. And so, my days were spent under this dull, small window, as I waited to be rescued.

"It's me, dad." I wailed into the phone. "Please. I need your help."

"Bella?" He instantly sounded alarmed. "How did you get this number? What are you…where are you right now? You shouldn't be calling me! It is dangerous!"

"I had no other choice." I pushed the words out, waving my hands in desperation. "Dad, I have been taken captive. I need to get out of here! Please get me out of here! They will kill me!"

Hiding the complete truth is not considered a lie, or at least I hope it is not considered one.

A scary sounding growl was emitted on the other side, Charlie speaking into the receiver before my nerves caused me to cut the call.

"Who?" he demanded. "Who has kidnapped you? Where are you right now?"

"I am in Italy." I winced, whispering the next word out. "Volterra."

There was uncomfortable silence on the other end, as both of us pondered over how to continue with this conversation.

"I know the truth, daddy."

Growing up, he had always melted when I had referred to him as 'daddy'; could work now too, couldn't it?

"What do you know, Bella?!"

Hello to you, too, Tanya!

How are you doing this fine day?

"Everything." I boldly muttered. "The Volturi have kept me captive. I am locked in the…" No. I couldn't say tower; they would get suspicious. "In the castle," I quickly finished my sentence. "Please, Tanya, I know that we have never really gotten along but…"

"Why have they kept you captive?" she rudely demanded. "The Volturi don't do such stuff."

She needed to believe me; Charlie wouldn't believe me otherwise!

And that could be a problem for me.

"I…" I searched for a fake story, deciding to stick to the truth as much as could be. "I caught one of them feeding. I guess the male vampire was super hungry or something, to do it in a dark alley in a semi-crowded area in Florence." Feeding was prohibited inside the town limits of Volterra, thankfully, I had remembered that piece of information! "He did not kill me directly. Instead, he drugged me and got me here. I am so scared! They have explained to me what they are…you are…but please…get me out of here. I don't want to die! They will kill me!"

"How did you figure out what I am?"

What will it take for you to believe me, Tanya?

A fucking kidney?

"I put two and two together. I did live with you for a while."

Now, that wasn't a lie.

"How did you get this number?"

Jeez. How stone-hearted was she?

"I…"

I could not divulge in the truth, or give away any variation of that, not without admitting that I had help from someone inside the castle.

"That's not important right now, Tanya!" Charlie grabbed the phone back from her, anger coating his voice. "I am coming, baby girl. Don't you worry. Nothing will happen to you."

"But daddy," I mock-whimpered. "There are so many of them. I am scared."

We would need the Cullen's too, and any and all help that we could manage.

"Don't you worry about that." he sighed, falling right into my laid trap. "I have friends. I will…we will come for you."

"Okay, daddy. I trust you. Please come soon."

He offered me his agreement, ending the phone call, a wide smirk of achievement on my face as I deleted the call records from Corin's phone, leaving no trace of my betrayal behind.

So, what if I had lied?

I did not accept Marcus as my probable partner; not after this bullshit that he had pulled. And I needed to get out of here. Come what may.

X-X-X

"Bella," Marcus stomped through the tower, coming to a rough stop beside me, my one corner being a witness to our conversation. "Corin informed me that you are unwell; please talk to me! Can I arrange a doctor for you? Please tell me what I can do!"

The expression of sheer heartbreak on his face was upsetting, and hence, I looked away, unwilling to let the wall between us break.

He had built this brick wall with his own two hands, and would now have to bear the consequences of it.

"Bella? Please." He begged, kneeling down beside me.

I shut my eyes tight, my stance clear.

I wasn't ready to forgive him.

Not now. And not ever.

He would just have to deal with it.

He should have thought of the repercussions before he locked me up in this windowless prison. It was too late now!

The damage was done; the cloth was torn. It could probably be stitched again, but the scar would always remain. And at the moment, I wasn't even willing to get it stitched again. No. It was better off torn.

"I…" he cried out. "I am doing this for you. I am doing this for us…"

How, Marcus? How?

"Please trust me."

I can't.

Not after what you did to me.

"I…okay," he let out a sigh, exhausted by my refusal to speak, "I have to tell you something, but it better not be spoken out loud." He lowered his voice to a whisper. "I have written it down. Please just read it. You will understand." He pushed a piece of folded paper in my direction, standing up and walking away, a frown on my face as I stared at his retreating form, half contemplating throwing the paper at him, my curiosity winning out as I unfolded the piece of paper, my eyes wide as I read through it.

'Bella, I know you don't believe me at the moment, but trust me I am doing this for us.'

Blah. Blah. Blah.

'Aro's rule needs to come to an end. His tyranny has survived for far too long now. Didyme had tried to convince me how dangerous his greed and desire for power could be, but I had not seen it back then. I now do. I had no other choice, Bella. When he had told me about locking you up in the tower, I had witnessed the lunacy in his eyes. If I hadn't complied, he would have sought any means possible to destroy you and us. I could not let that happen. I had to do this. And I am extremely apologetic for it. I have a plan in mind. It will take some time though. Please bear with me. I need to gain allies, ensuring that Aro does not get a hint of it. That would not end well for us. I know I am asking too much from you, but please don't be angry on me. I will not be able to survive that. Please take care of yourself, and in case you decide that you still cannot forgive me for dooming you to this fate, I will understand.

Marcus'

Oh. Crap.

Had I just complicated stuff for Marcus and I by calling Charlie here?

Shit.

What now?