Hello everyone,

It appears as though everyone is getting excited by the new developments in this story. I am so excited to give you this next piece, and it is what you all have been waiting for.

I love, love hearing what you all think, so please make sure to tell me all about it.

Very important and exciting changes are happening, and while I know everyone hates how Edward treats Lily it is a very big plot point for this story.

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Edward went ramrod straight as he regarded her closely. Blue eyes slipped over the bridge of her nose to the downward curve of her mouth. The shade of blue in her gaze had something coming to life inside him, yet he wasn't sure if it was the color or the spirit that was vibrant in her irises. As he studied her, he processed her argument, and he registered what she said. "I don't help people, and might I add, if it weren't for this room, you would be in Winthrop's bed. Is that what you want?"

Bile rose in Bella's throat as his statement caused visions of Winthrop touching her naked skin. Visibly she shivered, and some of the tension melted from her stance. Swallowing, she kept her gaze locked on his without the slightest fear. "I don't understand why you have to keep me locked in here. I won't go anywhere. You already know my options are limited. I probably couldn't make it down the street without one of the mayor's lackeys finding me."

Edward considered what she said. What was the probability of the witch remaining here if he allowed her to roam freely? What were her other options? Very few, he reasoned, his gaze coasting over delicate skin as he searched for any visible deception. Edward was an excellent judge of character, and he tended to believe her. "What's to say I let you have run of the house, and you actually stay fucking put? How many times will I have to make that jaunt across the yard? Huh?"

"None," Bella said with a shake of her head. "I swear. You won't even know I'm here."

Edward licked dry lips as his breathing returned to normal. How much more peaceful life would be if Isabella weren't here. He wouldn't even know she was here. What were the chances of that? Could granting her a fraction of freedom really inspire her to shut the hell up? "No more singing at the top of your lungs? No more destroying your room?"

"I promise," Bella confirmed, a little more of her fury melting away as Edward's rigid form eased slightly. "We will co-exist peacefully for the duration of my stay, however long that might be."

"A month," Edward answered, backing up a fraction. "Give or take. Winthrop said he would have my money in about a month …" Edward saw no reason to enlighten her to the prospect of finding her an alternate location when that time came, especially when nothing was set in stone. "At that time, we will do our best for a smooth transition. If I let you out of this room, there are a few rules."

Bella was really bad at following rules. There had been so many rules in her life, and she went out of her way to break each and every one of them. Relating this small fact didn't seem as if it would help her obtain her freedom, however, so she merely nodded. "Ok. Whatever. I will do whatever to get out of here. Or not do whatever as the case may be."

"One. Stay in the house at all times. While my property is secure, I wouldn't put it past Winthrop to overstep boundaries." As Edward began his list of rules, his grip on her arm lessened with each word, and as she'd promised, she didn't attempt to flee. "Two. Stay out of my office. Never-ever step foot inside it."

Bella listened to him adamantly state to stay away from his office. Lily's small voice penetrating her ears through the door came to mind. Bella couldn't help but notice the pinch to his lips as he spoke, and despite his arrogance, Lord-Freeze-A lot felt more than he would ever admit. Her brow wrinkled as she traced his features, suddenly noting how tired he seemed to be; her empathetic nature perked up despite the sting still alive on her ass.

Finally, she gave a nod, saying, "Okay. No going outside and no study. Got it." Even though she had just promised to follow his rules, Bella instantly found a dispute with them. "Can't I go outside for just a few hours? It's starting to turn into spring. Everything is blooming. Can't I enjoy a few minutes of fresh air a day?"

His head tilted as his lashes narrowed. "Really? Already? We just started hashing out a plan for a smidge of your freedom, and you are already finding flaws in the arrangement?"

"No, just," Bella began, glancing over her shoulder at the window. "I just love it outside. Please, a few minutes."

"Fine," Edward agreed as he held a finger up when she started to smile. His nostrils flared at the unexpected ripple of pleasure coursing down his spine. What the fuck? Shaking the sensation from his frame, he went rigid as he continued, "You can go when I have the time to take you. You will not step foot outside without me. Understand?"

"Yes!" Suddenly, Bella was feeling a lot less trapped than she had an hour ago. "Wonderful. Maybe, Lily and I …"

Bella's voice trailed off as she realized what she'd been about to say. Then there was the firecracker of emotion sparking to life in Edward's gaze. Holy crap, Bella silently cursed, the tension between them snapping back to life.

"Don't speak of my daughter … ever. And you are to stay as far away from her as possible," Edward began with a crackling heat. "Never are you to be around or alone with her. Matters of fact, stay away from everyone in this house. You can have dinner in the kitchen with the staff, and don't be looking to them for help … they are paid well for their loyalty."

It was right on the tip of her tongue to argue with Edward about Lily, yet she determined this wasn't the best time to pursue this particular argument. A bit disgruntled, Bella managed to grunt, "Fine."

Edward didn't believe her. There was not precisely deception in her eyes, but her tone was vastly different as she answered him. His teeth clenched, and a burn started in his nostrils. Intuitively, Edward knew he was going to regret giving her leeway. Still, for reasons beyond his current understanding, he tipped his chin. "Also, you need to be in bed by eleven. I'll be damned if you are roaming the halls while I'm asleep."

"A curfew?" Bella wanted to know in disbelief. "Do I look like a five-year-old?"

"Do I look like some fucking fool?" Edward glared at the woman before him. He wasn't sure what it was about her that made him cave. Hell, if it had been anyone else, Edward would've thrown them straight into the basement without a second glance. "I think eleven is reasonable. Or we can go back to the previous arrangement. You can spend night and day right here."

Bella wasn't sure why, but her retort flowed from her lips before she could think it through, saying, "Are you sure your ears can handle me being locked in this room indefinitely?"

Annoyance flared in his gaze coupled with something else entirely, and Bella wasn't sure if she was imagining it or not, but she could swear the corner of his lips twitched. His wicked gaze never faltered, however, as he said, "Do you value your tongue, Miss Swan?"

While Bella doubted Edward had any intention of cutting out her tongue, the idea still had her gulping. "As a matter of fact, it is a precious commodity here recently."

"I beg to differ," Edward stated, pivoting on his heel. "Clean yourself up and explore. You have four hours to stretch your legs. Get something to eat in the kitchen, and if anyone asks about why you are here, don't answer them. They might be loyal because they are paid to be that way, but it doesn't mean they wouldn't snitch for the right price."

Bella knew it was beyond childish, but she stuck her tongue out at his retreating back. Doing as he said, Bella crept from the confines of her room, her gaze lingering on the arched doorways and high ceilings as she went. Finding the staircase, Bella followed the sounds of pans clattering to locate the kitchen.

Hesitantly, she entered the kitchen to find two chefs and another servant that appeared to be a server. "Ahh. Hey. Edward said I could get something to eat in here."

Apparently, Edward had already visited the kitchen and prepared them for her presence because only one person acknowledged they heard her. The man didn't even speak, merely grunted as he pointed toward a small dinette near a large window. A plate of steaming food already sat before a chair, and ever so slowly, Bella crossed the marble floor toward the meal.

As Bella gorged on lamb covered with what tasted like some sort of tart cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, and broccoli, she glanced around the elegant kitchen. Oak cabinets stretched from the ceiling to the floor, only breaking apart in the middle to make room for a cream countertop. An island the size of her dorm room at college sat in the center, with beige and tan marble lining the floors.

Swallowing a mouthful of potatoes, she watched intently as the cooks worked. The silence filling the room beside the clatter of pans started to wear on Bella. Pinning one cook with a curious stare, she asked, "How long have you worked for Mr. Cullen?"

Three people were occupying the kitchen beside her, and her question was met with silence. Great. When he'd said no talking to anyone in the house, he'd already taken the option from her. Frowning, Bella turned her attention to the window and stared out at the dark sky. She supposed this was much more preferable than being lost somewhere out there in the damn woods.

Once Bella finished eating, she pushed away from the table and left the kitchen to explore. She had just turned down a long hallway going only God knew where when the mammoth she'd encountered in the stables stepped into the empty space.

"Freedom, huh?" The man laughed, surprisingly a lot less intimidating than he had been during their previous encounters. "Edward said you gave him a run for his money—quite literally."

Bella's gaze skated down the man built like a brick wall. His arms were bigger than her waist, and he had freaking tree trunks for legs. Dimples winked back at her as a smile twinged his lips. Returning his grin, she nodded slightly. "I did. Thought the vein on his forehead was going to pop for a while there. I don't think I have ever seen someone so pissed." While Bella explained, a pale brow lifted. "I thought no one was supposed to talk to me."

Emmett gave a dismissing wave of his hand. "I get a kick out of not listening to Edward. If I worried about pissing him off, I would be buried for anxiety by the end of the week. Did you have supper?"

"Yes," Bella nodded, amused by Emmett's confession of irritating Edward on purpose. "Although your staff isn't friendly."

Emmett shrugged, "Yeah, they are stuffy pricks compliments of my dear brother. They are paid well for their discretion. If you follow this hallway to the end and go into the door on the left, there is a game room."

"Game room?" Bella asked, her interest piqued. "What kind of games?"

Emmett's lips parted as if he were going to tell her when a gasp echoed down the hallway, followed by, "Oh, my gosh. It's the princess.

Bella knew that voice before she even looked. A smile played across her lips as she turned to face her little visitor. As soon as Bella's gaze connected with wide blue eyes, her heart melted into mush. She didn't get much chance to study Lily because the little one raced down the hallway and wrapped her arms around Bella's legs.

Behind her, Emmett chuckled, and she heard, "Edward is going to have a fit."

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