"Um hi... I know it's late. You told me to call if I needed anything..."

"Isabella? So I did. Is everything alright?"

"It's Bella by the way. Sorry. I should have said that in the beginning. I've had a change of heart and I wanted to know-"

"Isabella. Take a deep breath. Where are you?"

"I'm at my mother's house... There's been an incident. Can you come?"

"Of course I'll come. Give me the address."

"7760 S Stewart. Maybe bring an SUV... Hurry please."

With that, I hang up the phone.

"Someone is on their way to get me. I'll go upstairs and pack my things and I'll be out of your hair."

With that, I push past Mike and rush up the stairs.

I begin throwing things into bags haphazardly. I have no idea where Edward lives or how long it'll take him to get here. I'm hoping it isn't long when my phone begins to ring.

"Isabella. I'll be there shortly, but I need to know what the house looks like."

"White house, blue door. Blue shutters. I can grab my things and meet you on the porch."

"Nonsense. I'd like your mother to know you'll be in good hands."

With that, he hangs up before I can get a chance to protest again. I don't want him in here. The house is in disrepair and I know that Mike hasn't gone home. He's fooled my mother into thinking that he's a good person. As far as I know, he could be doing her on the kitchen table. I hear a car screech to a halt outside. Instinctively, I know it's Edward.

I run quickly down the stairs before Renee smells money on Edward, but I'm too late.

"Pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr. Cullen. I'm not sure why you're here..."

She's always been an incredible actress.

"Isabella contacted me a little while ago. My associate Emmett here will help escort her and her belongings to the SUV outside."

"You came."

I had to appear distraught. I hadn't had time to groom before he'd gotten here, but I was eternally grateful to him for coming. I had no idea where I'd be sleeping tonight, but I somehow knew that he would get me there.

"Isabella, I will always come for you when you call."

I can't hold back the tears then, and I can tell that the sudden display of emotion is making Edward uncomfortable. Reaching into the pocket of his slacks, he hands me a handkerchief.

"Now now, Isabella. If you're crying, I can't introduce you to a new friend. Emmett, this is Bella. Bella, this is Emmett. He's my head of security and my sisters husband, and Emmett, she's the brilliant young mind who could be the next fresh face of Cullen Engineering."

I shake Emmetts hand. The guy is roughly the size of a bear, but I feel strangely comforted. He'd only said hello and he's already immensely friendly.

"Bella. If you show me the way, I can start loading your things into the car."

I slowly walked to the staircase and pointed.

"Last room on the left."

"Isabella. Is there somewhere we can talk alone?"

I begin to shake my head when Renee butts in.

"Please. Take my room. After all, Bella should get one last look at it before she goes."

I watch Edward smile tightly at her, taking me by the hand and leading me up the stairs.

Once we're safely behind my mother's closed door, my tears start again. I vaguely register the fact that Edward is still in his suit, even though he appears to have ditched the jacket. In response to my tears he begins to pace and tug at his already unruly locks.

"Isabella I'm thrilled you've called, but what's going on here? Earlier you seemed to want nothing to do with me."

This of course only makes me sob harder, ugly Kardashian, earring in the ocean tears.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have called. I didn't know where else to turn. She says I have to leave. Really if you could just drop me and my stuff off at this shelter a few blocks over I'd be grateful. And I realize I already owe you so much. I get paid on Friday. I can reimburse you for coffee and lunch. And the gas it took you to get here. Oh my goodness and Emmett. He probably doesn't work for free. I'm so sorry!"

Something I've said has caught Edward's attention because he stops pacing.

"Don't be ridiculous. You won't be giving me a dime. As for Emmett, I'll worry about him. Trust me. He's paid handsomely to be on call. As for this shelter business, that's complete nonsense. You'll be staying with me at my apartment. We'll leave the address for your mother. For the love of all that is holy, Isabella, stop that wailing!"

At the sound of his raised voice, I quiet. We barely know each other, so I haven't told him, but raised voices trigger me. That combined with the knowledge that I'm in Renee's room and house for the last time weighs heavily on me.

"You don't respond well to anger or yelling do you?"

I shake my head. I don't trust myself to speak.

"I apologize. I wasn't aware. I'll remember for the future. Come. I'm sure Emmett has finished loading the car. It's late. Tomorrow is Thursday. Do you have classes?"

"I didn't know who else to call. Renee showed him with "Michael" and he came onto me. I didn't... He's not... and Renee wouldn't listen and now I've gotta find a new place to live so I called you and now you're here and I'm sorry. You probably were in the middle of something."

"Isabella. Hear me and hear me well. I will always ALWAYS come for you when you call. Besides, I was just looking over some expenditures. They can wait. This cannot. Do you have classes tomorrow?"

"I don't."

"Good. It's late and we could both use our rest. Let's head back downstairs and say goodbye to your mother. Afterward, you'll go to the car with Emmett. I need to have a little talk with Michael."

I nod my head slowly, slightly confused. He looks calm. Too calm. I'm not afraid of him because something tells me that he won't hurt me, but I'm afraid for Mike.

I go to stand but immediately sink down to the chair I'd been sitting in. My knees have literally gone weak and I'm now more embarrassed than ever. With relative ease, he lifts me into his arms and carries me down the stairs. Almost as if he's dropping off a package, Edward hands me to Emmett. I hear Edward's voice in my ear.

"Bella darling, waved goodbye to your mother."

I'm suddenly very awake and aware. I nod at Edward, confirming that I've heard him. I turn my head towards Renee's figure and smile.

"Bella, I'm sorry things have to end this way, but you've been out of control. You need to get help for your urges. It's inappropriate for you to involve yourself with your mother's boyfriends."

"Fuck you Renee."

I smile a megawatt smile, every tooth in my mouth flashing and flip her the finger. Bitch. I hope her and Mike rot in hell.

"Emmett, I think Isabella needs to go to the car. I'll follow behind shortly."

I feel, rather than see Emmett nod in understanding and I'm moving again, this time away from my personal hell, and hopefully onto something brighter and filled with less misery.