Author's Note:
The chapter we've all been waiting for! Prologue is here! Special thank you to Mel Cee for betaing, she's amazing!:)
Song suggestion: Complicated by Avril Lavigne, inspired this chapter:)
Thank you for all the love and support! Let me know your thoughts and predictions... Next chapter is the aftermath and a series of small time jumps.
Age 18: Part 2
"Edward, please come out to the veranda," Ted announced through the intercom.
Edward groaned What a way to ruin a great night. The best night. He finally had sex with his girl.
Sex with Bella was indescribable. It was better than he could have even imagined.
He fumbled, searching for his phone to see if Bella called or messaged him this morning.
Bella had work early at the diner so Edward dropped her off at Kate and Garrett's in the wee hours of the night. She also wanted to say goodbye and thank them for all they have done during her time with them.
Edward dragged himself out of bed, pulling on a pair of boxers, before he walked over to the intercom. "Okay, Dad, I'll be down in a few minutes," he agreed groggily, sleep still heavy in his voice. Best reason to be tired was sex Edward concluded.
He walked back over to the nightstand and sent a text to Bella, wishing her happy birthday and happy freedom day again, telling her that he couldn't wait to see her this afternoon.
Edward worried about Bella. Sure, today marked her first day of freedom from a system that held them both hostage, but it must have been hard for her, knowing she never was adopted. He wished she could experience the family dynamic he was blessed with. He pondered the thought while dressing in his casual clothing: a polo and khaki pants.
Making his way down the staircase, he ran into Renata, the housekeeper. "Hi Renata, how are you?" Edward asked, buzzing past her.
"Fine, Mr. Edward." Renata remarked, "Hang on, I have something that belongs to Ms. Bella." She shuffled through the laundry basket she was holding and handed him a bra. "This was by the foyer, so I washed it."
She shrugged her shoulders and continued toward the master bathroom.
Edward cringed. Bella must have dropped it on her way out. He hoped his parents hadn't seen it.
He ran back upstairs to put it in his room before he headed outside. As he rounded the corner, he saw his father and Alistair sitting at the patio table with a portfolio and a fruit platter spread out in front of them.
"Edward, my boy!" Ted exclaimed. "Take a seat," he said, motioning for one of the empty chairs.
Edward gulped. He couldn't help but feel like this was an ambush, but he didn't want to make a fool out of himself so he did as he was instructed.
"Edward, nice to see you again." Alistair smiled, taking a sip on his espresso.
"Son, I called you down here to discuss what we spoke about last month. I know there has been a lot going on with your mother's health and whatnot. But now it's time to get down to business." Ted threw a grape into his mouth. "Alistair and I were just going over it all. As you know, I want to groom you to take over the company for me. I have complete faith in your abilities. Alistair came up with an alternative class schedule that will satisfy the Business Department and will accommodate the internship requirements. You know it's going to be long hours, and I do need you to go to the Japan offices as soon as possible." Ted flipped through the portfolio and showed Edward the comprehensive timeline he set forth for Edward and his future.
"Te—Dad. This is great and all, but when we talked about this, I thought it was more of a suggestion rather than something set in stone. I was planning on declaring my major as psychology next semester, so that maybe I could work in schools as a counselor," Edward admitted, looking at Alistair and then back to his adopted father.
Ted had only said that college was a big deal but never mentioned Edward needed to major in anything specific. Edward knew Princeton was the school that Ted and Liz yearned for him to go to so he obliged, accepting admission—why not get the best education?
"Besides, Dad, I can't go to Japan. Bella has a life here. She's not going to want to travel all those months for business. It's not fair to her. Today is her first day of freedom. I—"
"Alistair, could you give Edward and me a few minutes?" Ted interjected, giving Edward a pointed look to speak no more.
Alistair removed himself from the contentious situation and wandered down to the television area by the grills.
"Dad—" Edward started.
Ted put his hand up to silence him. "Edward, do you know why we adopted you?"
Edward shook his head no. He always wondered the reason but never dared to ask, grateful to have a family finally and not wanting to rock the boat.
Renata came outside carrying an espresso cup and saucer, which she placed in front of Ted wordlessly before she went back inside.
"We adopted you because we saw how special you are. You are destined for more than ordinary. I saw it; your mother saw it. We have the advantages we do because of hard work and sacrifice. You'll soon see what I mean. While counseling is an admirable profession, no son of mine will be one." Ted paused, looking down at his espresso with disgust. Renata used the shit china again.
"I know, and I'm very appreciative of all that you have given me by choosing to welcome me into your family," Edward defended, furrowing his eyebrows. This whole exchange was so out of character for Ted. He was usually supportive and hadn't given him ultimatums prior.
"Listen, Edward, opportunities like this don't come a dime a dozen. If you don't take this internship, then it could change the whole trajectory of your life. We wouldn't want that, now would we? We've worked too hard. You've worked too hard, overcoming all that you have," Ted reasoned, attempting not to lose his patience with his misguided son.
"What about Bella? She's going to—"
"My boy, I know you care about that girl. But you're so young. You've got your whole life ahead of you. When you're the face of Masen Point and being photographed at events and fundraisers, you're going to question having someone like her on your arm. Not to mention, these next years are so pivotal, I would hate for you to be distracted from what's really important and going to benefit you and your future," Ted reaffirmed. There was no other way; Edward needed to fall in line and let go of his youthful aspirations. He needed to be a man worthy of the Masen name.
"Bella's my girlfriend and I love her," Edward declared, growing irritated.
Whenever Ted discussed Edward taking over the company, it seemed like something light-years away, not something so immediate like an internship that involved him traveling overseas for months on end. Leaving his life here behind. Leaving Bella behind.
"Ah love, yes! It is a very powerful emotion. You'll see in business, Edward, there is no love. There's fondness and familiarity." Ted sighed. "She's not cut out for this world. The sooner you realize that, the better."
Liz exited the double doors, carrying a box. "Edward, I hope you took your father's offer. You're going to be marvelous at Masen Point. Right, darling? Isn't he going to be marvelous?" Liz looked at Ted for support and confirmation.
Ted studied Edward, who was weighing his options and choices. It was complicated. Nobody could quite understand the position he was in. No matter what he decided, someone was bound to be disappointed.
Edward nodded hesitantly, looking away from Ted's penetrating gaze.
Liz hugged Edward. "I knew you'd accept. Can you believe your father was concerned you wouldn't?" Liz scoffed, playfully hitting Ted's shoulder.
"Alistair, you old bat. Get your ass up here," Ted bellowed, always giving orders.
"Oh before we forget…" Ted took the box from Liz's hands and placed it in Edward's. "This is for you. Congratulations on joining Masen Point." Ted continued, "Renata, get the champagne!"
Alistair made his way to the table, shaking Edward's free hand.
How the hell am I going to explain this to Bella? he pondered.
For as long as he could remember, Edward wanted a family. To be loved and looked after. Have people to come home to. Who cared where he went, what he did, and who he did it with. Edward never had a family; he was an orphan since birth. So now that he had one, he clung to it with every fiber of his being, doing what was necessary to keep it. Surely she'd see that?
Edward opened the box, pulling out a shiny gold watch. Flipping it over, he saw an engraving: You are the creator of your own destiny.
Edward set the watch back in the box and looked around. He could hardly grasp the severity of what had just transpired. This moment would set everything that would soon occur in motion.
All Edward could do was observe; there was no stopping or getting off this train.
Oh Lord, what have I done?
Bella waited outside of the small home for Edward to come to pick her up. Edward already moved the truck to his house, so it was all ready for her.
Tearful goodbyes were given by Kate and Garrett, and Bella thanked them for all they had done for her throughout her time with them. While Bella was grateful that the plan of not being adopted worked all these years, she couldn't help feeling inadequate. Nobody saw through the broken girl enough to want her. It was a hard pill to swallow. Was she ever going to be enough?
Bella tightened her grip on her bag, the only bag she had to her name. Her whole life, eighteen years worth, fit in one tattered backpack.
She was wearing a new long-sleeved black dress that she had bought at the thrift store, replacing one dress that had a hole in it. Bella didn't want to embarrass Edward or his family. Her heels were tucked inside her bag. Why suffer pain sooner than needed?
Edward pulled up in a different car than he usually drove, one she hadn't seen before. It was a silver convertible with the top up.
He jumped out of the car and wrapped his arms around her tightly. "Bella." He inhaled her scent, kissing her hair. Bella's heart swelled, enjoying the comfort of his embrace.
With him she didn't need to have a home, he was her home. Home wasn't four walls and a roof over her head, but the two arms that had been wrapped around her since she was four years old.
Edward encompassed everything that Bella had craved in a home since the day she lost the only other one she'd had.
"New car?" she joked, getting into the passenger's side, having trouble closing the door. Edward laughed and came to her rescue.
"Yeah, sort of. It's new to me. It was Liz's, but I don't think she feels comfortable driving after everything, so she said I could have it," Edward speculated. "Gotta have a good car to take to Princeton afterall."
Bella nodded, excited for Edward's college experience. While she had decided college wasn't for her, she knew that Edward would do well. She was happy for him and couldn't wait to see him become the compassionate school counselor he was striving to be.
Edward blew out a breath. "So Bella, I was talking to Ted–"
"Charlotte!" Bella rolled down the window.
"What are you talking about?" Edward interjected, looking around.
"Look!" Bella barked, pointing to the alleyway they were passing.
There stood Charlotte, another girl in black eyeliner, and two very tall guys, smoking cigarettes.
Edward pulled the car over aggressively. Both he and Bella jumped out of the car. "Charlie!" This time it was Edward yelling at her.
Charlotte walked over to them, looking behind her, not wanting to seem like a baby in front of her new friends.
"What?" she spat out. Boy, oh boy, had she changed. Her once long brown locks were dyed jet black; she was wearing eyeliner and reeked of nicotine.
"Are you kidding me?" Edward hissed. "You're smoking now?"
He really needed to make a point to be better about calling her weekly. It had been too long since he'd checked in on her. "Let's go, Charlie, get in the car," Edward began, grabbing her bicep in an attempt to pull her to the car.
Charlotte yanked free from his grasp. "Who the fuck do you think you are, pretty boy? You're not my brother, and you're certainly not my father."
Edward was stunned. Charlotte had never spoken to him like this. But she was nobody's little girl, and she wanted to make that known.
"That's enough, Charlie. Get in the car! You can't be hanging with these degenerates." He looked back at Charlie's friends with disgust.
Bella stood at his side, silent. She couldn't believe Edward was speaking like this. Sure, Charlotte was wrong in so many ways. But how could he not see the pain she was in? The pain of being an unwanted child. He had experienced that kind of pain for years before his adoption. How could he forget so easily and not empathize with Charlie. With her.
"I'm not going anywhere with you. Rich boy." Charlotte walked back to where her friends were standing, refusing the cigarette one of the boys offered and resting her back against the wall, her arms crossed over her chest.
Edward started to walk toward the group, but Bella grabbed his arm. "Edward, let her go. She needs space. Causing a scene won't do any good. We can call her tomorrow."
The group of friends was already halfway down the block when Edward rolled his eyes, defeated, and proceeded to enter the driver's side.
"Can you believe that?" Edward snarled, still fuming.
"Edward–" Bella started, rubbing his arm in an attempt to calm him.
"I mean, did you see her face? So fucking smug." He went on and on, not letting Bella get a word in edgewise.
Bella stayed neutral as Edward complained about Charlie the whole ride to the fancy mansion this gala was being hosted.
Her opinion not being important was becoming a recurring theme.
Edward tossed the keys at the valet and walked around the car to open Bella's door.
They entered the ginormous home, every detail reeked of wealth. Bella looked down at her thrift store dress and black pumps that were faded, and she never felt so poor in her life.
"Come on. Let's go find my parents." Edward pulled her along. They passed herds of people, all dripping in jewels and diamonds.
People stopped and air-kissed Edward on both cheeks, congratulating him. Bella assumed they were wishing him well for starting his term at Princeton. This was an event hosted by the university's benefactors so that seemed most likely.
Alistair stopped and spoke to Edward, telling him about a specific professor and what they were like, and Bella grew bored and tuned out of the conversation halfway through.
Her attention turned to searching for the waiter she had seen carrying a tray with those puffed pastries. The orange ones weren't so awful.
A little while later, after networking and mingling with all the proper people, Edward took Bella to seek out his parents.
Bella spotted Tanya standing right next to Liz by the bar. They were both wearing long satin gowns, with their hair pinned up in complicated updos, showcasing their glittering jewelry. Her dress wasn't inappropriately short by any means, but by comparison, she was definitely underdressed.
Bella sighed and leaned against a bar stool for support. This was gonna be a long night.
"I hear congratulations are in order. Daddy told me the good news!" Tanya exclaimed, almost giddy. "You know I'm going to be working in the legal department."
Bella stood up straighter and glanced at Edward, waiting for him to explain. Tanya must have seen Bella's puzzled look because she continued turning her attention toward the orphan girl.
"Oh you must be so proud of your man. Attending one of the finest universities in the country and interning at one of the fastest-growing companies in the world. The Japan office is such a huge deal." Tanya smirked, pursing her lips, and looked at Edward with a seductive stare.
"Japan?" Bella squeaked out, failing to catch on to what was being discussed. She couldn't dare dream that this nightmare was her reality.
"Yes, Bella. Ted has offices in Japan, and they are expanding to the UK hopefully by next year," Liz chimed in, beaming with pride toward Edward. "Didn't Edward discuss all the details with you?"
Bella's stomach sank, and she developed a lump in the back of her throat. She nodded, too stunned to speak. But a small part of her wasn't stunned at all. No, it was like she had been anticipating this for a long time now. The other shoe had finally dropped, and there was nothing she could do but sit back and watch Edward be ripped from her, yet again. Maybe for good this time.
The more time that passed, a piece of the old Edward—the real Edward—died. The one who she loved so fucking much. The one who loved her. The one who'd promised to sit beside her always, until she wasn't afraid anymore. The one who she had thought she'd face the world together with.
Bella couldn't dare look in Edward's direction, but she felt his stare burning into her. "Excuse me," she whispered. She shuffled her way through the crowd as quickly as she could before the tears started streaming down her face.
She made it outside, walking past a group of men smoking, and leaned against the marble statues at the end of the driveway. Warm tears fell from her sad brown eyes. Why did she try to be hopeful all these years when all that happened was her being knocked down time and time again? She was pondering how to get home, though she had no idea where home was anymore, when she heard footsteps.
"Bella, please!" Edward pleaded, putting his suit jacket over her shoulders to keep her warm on this chilly fall night. "Look at me."
Bella turned around slowly, staring at Edward with tears in her eyes. "Fucking Japan?" She hissed. "And you didn't even tell me? Were you ever going to tell me? Or would I get a message from you as you were boarding a plane to go thousands of miles away?"
"Baby, I'm sorry. I just found out this morning what the plan was, and I didn't have a chance to tell you yet." Edward inhaled sharply. "Well … I did attempt to tell you in the car ride over, but then everything slipped my mind after all that mess with Charlie."
"So that's it? You're leaving. You're leaving me. I mean, I always knew I was disposable in your world, but really?" Bella challenged, wiping her tears using the sleeves of her dress, not giving a shit if it stained. She had no plans to ever wear it again.
"Bella, baby, please. Can we talk about this later? I want to fix this, but we really need to get back inside before my parents come looking for us," Edward reasoned, not wanting to stand out here any longer. He needed time to come up with a way to fix this mess.
Bella shook her head defeatedly, looking down at her shoes. Fuck! She just wanted to leave. Why hadn't she driven herself?
Edward took her by the shoulders, looking into her red-rimmed eyes. "Can we just pretend everything is okay for a few more minutes?"
She looked at his expectant gaze and realized she'd enabled him this whole time. Catered to his every whim, in the name of making him happy. But who worked to make her happy?
Bella nodded, following Edward wordlessly to the double doors. "Just give a second to fix myself. I'll meet you there," she rasped.
Edward hesitantly let go of her hand. What he didn't know was that he was letting go of her in the process.
After a few deep breaths and a stop by the bathroom to splash some water on her face, Bella rejoined the party much to her dismay.
It appeared she'd missed the toast in Ted's honor; too bad there was nothing honorable about the man who earned so much respect under false pretenses.
Liz walked by Bella, with a friend by her side, and she called out, "Oh Bella, next time you sneak out of my house, please remember to take your undergarments with you." The ladies chuckled, heading toward the bathroom Bella had just exited.
Bella grumbled. She was tired of all of this. Tired of the games. Tired of parties with entitled rich people. Tired of pretending everything was fine when it so clearly wasn't.
She grabbed one of the champagne flutes being passed by waiters and chugged it.
Five minutes later, she repeated her actions, and then another five passed and the cycle continued. The more alcohol she drank, the clearer things became for her. As Bella looked around the crowded ballroom, she really saw the people in her presence in a different light.
These were a bunch of people who were miserable despite all of their blessings. They gossipped about the most inane things. Who was cheating on who? Whose jet broke down so they had to use the backup one? Whose hedge fund crumbled? Whose trust fund was depleted due to excessive partying on exotic islands?
She shook her head in disgust at what they considered to be life-or-death problems. Could they all truly be so blind to the real world? Did they not realize there were kids who barely had enough food to eat? Kids whose parents abused them? Kids whose whole existence held little meaning?
A friend of Liz's made eye contact with Bella, watching her wearily, never feeling comfortable with someone who didn't wear Jimmy Choos. The woman turned her head in hopes that a conversation wouldn't be started. "Do you know how many children you can feed with that clutch?" Bella pointed, sucking on the back of her teeth. "I'm guessing a whole lot. There's more to life than parties like this and ladies luncheons, you know."
The woman sneered at Bella, walking away to find Liz. Bella laughed maniacally. These people were too easy to frazzle. Just mention someone not in their social standings and they were all ready to shit themselves.
Bella continued to antagonize the patrons, pointing out their self-centeredness, for a half an hour, creating quite the spectacle of herself, before Liz and Ted could be reached.
"Liz, Edward's 'girlfriend' just told Senator Marks that his toupee looked like a rat's nest," Tanya blurted. "Someone needs to take out the trash and get rid of her."
Ted stalked over to Bella, Liz following closely at his heels. "Young lady, what do you think you're doing?" he scolded, fuming at how far out of hand he'd let this get.
"Oh hey there, Mr. throw-money-at-the-problem. Here to offer me another bribe to disappear? Thanks, but no thanks. I'm having too much fun showing you douchecanoes how to have a good time," Bella vocalized, popping a pig in a blanket in her mouth.
"What's going on here?" Edward spoke up from behind Ted, peering over his father's shoulder to see Bella smirking smugly, a glass of champagne in her hand.
"What's going on is your girlfriend is making a mockery out of us all!" Ted spat the word 'girlfriend,' his spittle going in Edward's direction.
Bella turned to her left to look at Tanya next. "Listen, blondie, you better put your claws away and stay the hell away from my man!" Bella warned. "Or I might have to make you."
Tanya jumped back dramatically, afraid the orphan girl was dangerous. Bella fake lunged at her, wanting to scare her further. She chuckled at how serious Tanya thought she was with her threats. Edward grabbed Bella around her waist, lifting her off the ground slightly, and escorted her outside. He practically dragged her throughout the party, much to his parents' dismay.
"Let go of me!" she demanded, arms flailing, hitting Edward's chest and sides until he set her down on the concrete.
"What the fuck do you think you're doing? Embarrassing me like that? Embarrassing my family?" Edward reprimanded, looking at her with a mix of disgust and pity.
"Oh yes your 'family.'" Bella snorted. "You know what? I can't do this anymore. I can't pretend this is what I want. What I want for myself. What I want for you. I'm not like those people." She crooked her thumb back to the mansion. "Pretentious. Superficial. Fake."
"Those people are my family and friends, Bella. Would it kill you to act like you're happy for me?" Edward interjected, "You've hated them from the start. You never gave them a fighting chance."
"A chance? Are you fucking kidding me? Me being here should be proof enough for how much I've sacrificed!" Bella yelled, not caring who overheard. She was pissed and not holding back any longer. This was a conversation they had avoided for too long.
"Sacrificed? Come on, Bella, give me a break! A couple of parties every now and then is hardly a sacrifice," Edward insisted, walking toward the valet, needing to put some distance between them.
"You really don't get it, do you? It's not just the parties." She looked down at her hands, clasped in front of her, willing the tears to not resurface. She steeled herself and glanced back up at him, determination in her voice. She needed him to realize what this was all doing to her. "Is that what you want from me? To be like those people in there?" She threw her hands up, making wild gestures. "They have no substance, no depth; all they have is their money. They don't laugh, or give thanks for their blessings. They all have one face. You really want that? You want me to be that? I should just pretend, right?" Bella sputtered, walking behind Edward, wanting to throw something at him.
"I want you to be happy for me! Ever since I was adopted, you've been this different person. Like you resented me for getting a chance at a better life. I didn't ask for this!" Edward climbed into the driver's seat once the valet pulled the convertible up. "I want you to want to be by my side. Like I've been by yours."
"Yes, Edward, I'm thrilled to accompany you to these stupid parties. Thank you, I should be grateful you've decided to include me in your new shiny life, I guess!" Bella snapped, slamming the car door. Bastard!
Edward sat back in his seat, his shoulders slumped and sighed. "When did things become so complicated between us, Bella? We used to be effortless." His voice was a broken whisper, the weight of their argument starting to take its toll on him.
"You made it complicated! You say I'm different? When you got adopted, you became... you turned into this… this high-society Edward, who likes fancy parties and girls like Tanya Denali. Someone who acted like they never had to go hungry. Someone who never had to live in fear." Silent tears fell down her cheeks as she spoke, and she brushed them away with the back of her hand.
There was silence for a solid ten minutes as they drove on the highway. The pair was scared to speak, in fear of what would come out of their mouths, if they continued this conversation.
The thoughts swirling in Bella's head caused her to break the silence. "You didn't even ask me about Japan. You just agreed. Anything Daddy Dearest says goes, right?" Bella sneered, looking out into the darkness, growing thankful when she saw their exit was approaching.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but as for asking you, would anything have been any different? You would still be pissed and hate this. I really hoped you'd be supportive, Bella," he pleaded, willing her to go back to her old self.
"I have been nothing but supportive. All I wanted from you was to have a little dignity. A shred of the old you. There has to be a way out of this. Ted can't control every move you make." Bella blew out a breath, not realizing how she had been walking on eggshells around Edward for far too long.
"Bella, there is no other way. I'm sorry, what do you want me to do? Tell my father to go fuck himself?"
Bella rolled her eyes, looking at Edward, whose hands were clutching the steering wheel as though it was a lifeline.
She looked at him for the first time in what felt like forever. Maybe it had been forever since she really saw him, and not just the version of him in her mind she struggled to preserve. But this new and "improved" Edward wasn't recognizable.
His usually wild hair was coiffed. He had on a three-piece designer suit that was tailored to his now sculpted body. No more Cheetos for him. He had a watch on his right wrist, which was engraved by his adopted father—a gift from Ted once Edward agreed to join the firm.
To anyone else, he looked like an aspiring businessman. To her, he looked like an asshole. He'd turned into everything he swore he wouldn't. Everything he hated.
For what? she asked herself. A last name?
She nodded, realizing he was still waiting for a response to his justification.
"What the hell happened to you?" she muttered, taking a deep breath and willing herself to pull it together. This wasn't her. She worked her whole life to protect herself from this very moment.
Edward blew out a breath, hating every minute of this conversation. "My father expects me to accept this internship and then do my charity work for the company. It's what's planned out for me. I owe him this. You know he doesn't approve of—"
"Me," Bella finished his sentence for him. No point hiding the truth. She was the dirty little secret that his family hated. Poor orphan girl, who self-sabotaged herself from a chance at a real family time and time again.
"Cut the crap. Maybe if you stopped the sanctimonious bullshit, you would have been adopted too!" Edward blurted, the words fell from his mouth before he could edit them. "Bella, you wouldn't understand because you don't have parents like this!"
Bella looked as though she had been hit; she couldn't hide any longer. He always had the power to break her. She just never knew he would use it. All those years in foster homes, protecting her—loving her—now meant nothing.
Edward couldn't dare look over at the one he loved most in the world. He protected her for as long as he could remember. Too bad pervy foster dads had been no match for Edward Masen. "Bella—"
"No, you're right—I don't have a family. But guess what? At least I'm still me. I don't play the orphan card, or the fucked-up foster care system card. And I certainly didn't turn into an asshole because of a last name or a fucking job."
Edward opened his mouth and willed himself to say something, anything, to make this better. "Bella, please." He finally looked over at her and saw her, really saw her this time. Her tough outer shell was cracking, and she was more damaged than Edward had even realized. "Baby," he whispered, like a prayer.
"Don't!" Bella said through gritted teeth, intently watching the cars in front of them.
They had been together since they were four years old. Nothing could mean more to Edward than Bella. But what if that wasn't enough to be together … to stay together. Was their fight for one another played out? As Edward just reminded Bella, she sabotaged prospective families like they were a dime a dozen. But what he didn't know was she did it so they wouldn't be separated. Night after night, she prayed that she wouldn't get adopted, just so they could stay with each other a little longer. It took Edward more time to get adopted given his condition, but when he did, he struck a gold mine. Bella just aged out and was more alone than ever.
They sat in uncomfortable silence for the next few minutes. Edward's fingers yearned to grab her hand that was picking at her fingernails, but he resisted.
The car lulled and stopped at the next red light. In the dead of night, all they could see were taillights in front of them. Bella took this as her opportunity. She grabbed her bag, which held all her possessions, and jumped out of the car. Running into the night…
Edward called her name but it was no use. The girl he loved was now nothing more than the girl he loved.
A/N: Running to hide...hehe...Let me know your thoughts:)
