Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. Any original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

~0~

~~Bella~~

"Dad?"

Before I could say anything more, Charlie lifted me up and twirled me in the air, like I was no heavier than a six year old. As soon as he put me down, I saw Elaine walking towards us smiling happily.

"You're here! Why didn't you tell me you were coming?" I asked, dizzy and still in shock, although my shock was quickly morphing into excitement.

"Lainey and I arrived this morning. We've been waiting in the restaurant all day."

"I told him to call you on your cell, but your dad wanted it to be a surprise." said Elaine, with a laugh and a soft hand on his forearm.

The whole situation was intensely surreal until I saw a diamond ring glistening on Elaine's ring finger.

"You? Oh come-on! Oh my gosh! This is…perfect! I thought Eric was joking when he said you'd be engaged soon!" I exclaimed.

Elaine was positively glowing and I'd never seen my dad smile so widely in his entire life.

Charlie's getting married!

"When?" I asked as I hugged Elaine.

"We don't see the point in waiting," said Charlie sheepishly. "We're thinking Thanksgiving. Something casual in the yard. No big deal."

But it was a huge deal. My father had been unmarried for more than twenty years. I was so excited that he had Elaine. I could see their love. It was amazingly uplifting. I was proud of him. They had already moved-in together, and now marriage. I was overjoyed for them.

Edward can meet my dad and Elaine! I can introduce him as my boyfriend! Tonight!

"Where are you staying?" I blurted out, suddenly anxious to speak to Edward.

"We haven't thought about that yet; we drove straight here. We'll probably just find a cheap motel," he said casually.

I knew my dad didn't have mountains of money stashed away. Elaine's ring probably cost a small fortune, and he'd need to pay for the wedding.

"Stay right here a minute." I said before I walked back to Mike at the concierge desk.

I realized I was still holding the unopened envelope that he'd handed me only a few minutes earlier. I pushed it into the back pocket of my jeans.

I have the perfect solution.

"Mike? My dad and his...fiancé, are going to be using my room for a while. That's OK isn't it? I'm probably going to stay with Kate and Garrett, to help out until she has the baby."

"It's not hotel policy," he gave me a cheeky smile. "However, your room is already paid for, so it's fine. I'm glad you're going to be staying with Kate. Garrett's been worried about her."

I watched Mike swipe two room cards over a reader and then place them in the hotel branded paper holder, along with a very recognizable purple VIP card.

"Both room cards will allow access to the parking garage. I'll have some complimentary champagne delivered to the room immediately, Bella. I hope they enjoy their stay," he handed me the cardholder.

I didn't know what to say. Mike was so lovely. In my excitement, I simply leaned over the counter and kissed him on the cheek. "Mike, you're the best!"

Mike's eyes lit up with amused surprise. "No problem, Bella," he said shyly.

I walked back to Charlie and Elaine, who were staring into each other's eyes lovingly.

"It's all settled," I said, as I pulled out one of the cards and handed it to Charlie.

"Dad, you can move the car into the parking garage. The entry is on the West side of the hotel. You're both staying in my room on the eight floor; Room 810. I'm staying with a friend for a couple of weeks, and the room is already paid for, so no arguments! Breakfast in the restaurant is also included. Consider it my engagement gift."

I was bracing myself for Charlie to argue, but he didn't. He looked at Elaine's excited expression and simply pulled me into a hug and kissed my forehead. "Thank you, kiddo."

"Dad, I'm not a–"

"Kid, I know. Sorry Bells." he said.

"Are you sure it's OK Bella?" asked Elaine.

"Yes! Come on! Dad, I'll take Elaine up to the room and you can go and move the car and bring up the bags," I instructed. "Room 810 is on the eighth-floor."

Before I knew it, Elaine and I were in the lift and then in my small hotel room.

"Bella, this is really beautiful," gushed Elaine.

I watched her potter around the tiny room, and pull the sheer curtains back to look at the view. Her excitement was infectious.

"Quick, tell me how he proposed before he comes back and gets all embarrassed," I laughed.

I watched Elaine's cheeks turn a vibrant crimson.

We both sat on the perfectly-made bed.

"Your father took me to a cute Italian restaurant in Port Angeles. He told me he had two weeks vacation, and that he wanted to come and visit you here. He was so nervous, and I thought maybe he thought I'd say 'no' when he asked me to come with him, but that wasn't the reason he was so nervous. Do you know what he did?"

I shook my head, grinning with excitement.

"He got down on one knee…after we'd eaten our dessert, and he asked me to marry him in front of everyone there!" Elaine twirled the beautiful ring on her finger. "I nearly fainted when I saw it, Bella. It was so romantic!"

I tried to picture the scene; my dad offering Elaine a ring in a public place.

"I'm so happy for you!" I gushed.

I was. I saw how much they loved each other. I knew my father had waited a hell of a long time to find someone, but now he had Elaine; now they had each other.

I took in a deep breath. I wanted to call Edward, desperately. My excitement made me giddy, yet completely anxious and nauseous.

Edward can meet my dad, even if it has to be a secret from everyone else.

"Elaine, I have to drop some keys down to the concierge desk," I said when I remembered that Mike said he'd arrange for the rental car to be returned. "I'll leave you to get settled and then I'm taking you and dad to dinner tonight."

I quickly pulled open the bedside table drawer and pulled out the rental car keys.

"I won't be long. I've got some news too," I said shyly.

Elaine stared at me, a smile spread across her face instantly.

"The friend you said you're staying with, is it the boy you like?" she asked cautiously.

All I could do was smile. I wanted to blurt out everything, but instead, I tried to hold some kind of non-existent composure.

"Yes! You were right, he's actually not dating anyone else, it was a silly misunderstanding. I'm going to call him and see if he can join us for dinner, or if he has to work late, drinks tonight. I really want you and dad to meet him."

Elaine didn't press for more information; she simply walked towards me with confidence and happiness and hugged me. "Looks like we both get to be with the man of our dreams," she whispered. "Pinch me later if I drift off into a daze, because everything since Friday night seems like a dream, Bella!"

I agreed with her. Everything since Friday seemed almost surreal; Edward singing to me, our declarations, him making love to me, over and over. His promise to me that we'd make it work, and that the anonymity of our relationship would only be necessary until his contractual obligation was void. That our family and friends would know that he loved me, that we were soul mates.

"We deserve it!" I said with unreserved conviction. "I'll be back soon," I said as I pulled away from her comforting embrace.

Just as I was leaving the room, a bell boy arrived with a tray holding an ice-bucket with a bottle, a small dish of cut strawberries and three shiny champagne flutes.

"Compliments of the Hotel," he said.

Elaine looked incredibly happy. I watched as he placed the tray on the desk and she slipped him a tip. "Thank you ma'am," he said as he left the room.

"Bella! This is amazing!"

"I'll be right back," I said and gave her a playful pinch on her arm. "It's all real, Elaine!" I laughed as I practically skipped from the room.

I could barely contain my excitement as I waited for the lift. I was instantly calling Edward's phone.

It went to voicemail.

"Edward! Can you call me when you're on a break? Can you come to the hotel tonight? I really need to talk to you, it's really important." I realized that I sounded panicked, because I hoped he wasn't going to be held up on-set. I wanted so desperately for him to be here to meet Dad and Elaine tonight.

I slipped my phone in my back pocket, remembered the envelope that Mike had given me and ripped it open.

I read. I stared at the words. They didn't make sense.

Dear Bella,

I need to see you, to explain everything. You didn't read my letters. Please meet with me. I just want to talk about everything that happened. I can't live with myself any longer, knowing that you don't know the truth. I'm staying in room 3315.

Love Riley

I could feel the blood drain from my face.

He's here? He's in Vancouver? He's in my hotel!

The lift doors opened and I stepped out. Sudden déjà vu consumed me. It felt like the happiness that I just felt seeped out of my body and into the cold marble floor. I had reverted to the state of shock I was in, after I'd fled from Edward's suite, convinced that he loved someone else; convinced that he loved Rosalie Hale.

I didn't want to see Riley. I couldn't even imagine speaking to him now.

I was finally with Edward. I had finally accepted Edward's love for me and my worthiness of it. I didn't want anything to take that way from me, or plunge me back into the self-deprecating girl that I was only a few short days ago.

I couldn't even contemplate that Riley had flown from Sydney to Vancouver, let alone what he could possibly want to say to me; what his 'truth' would be.

My eyes scanned the foyer with dread. I wasn't ready; I'd never be ready to face the pain of seeing him again.

I'm with Edward and Edward loves me, I chanted.

I walked briskly to Mike and handed him the rental car keys.

"Is everything OK, Bella?" Mike looked concerned.

"This letter," I said, holding it as if it was about to burn my fingers. "Who? When did he…?"

"Mr. Biers checked in late last night, Bella. He left that note for you first thing this morning."

"Oh," I said.

My hands were trembling.

~0~

~~Edward~~

I took in three deep calming breaths and tried desperately to ignore her.

Rosalie kept verbally pushing me. I wished she'd go back to ignoring me, like she did this morning, but now she'd started, I knew she wouldn't stop until I gave her the reaction she was after.

She wanted me to be angry.

"I don't know what the appeal is. Dating a nobody? It's cruel, really. Why do you even bother? It's not like it'll last. It was like seeing a bunny in the headlights on-set the other day. You're such a masochist, Edward. You should be dating someone like Zafrina. She's going places, and she at least knows how this business works."

I read it for what it was. Rosalie was pissed that the gossip sites and magazines were talking about Bree Tanner, and her sudden and intense 'relationship' with me. The stories were all about how I wanted someone younger and prettier than Rosalie Hale.

Rosalie didn't like it, one bit. Her insecurities were being discussed publicly, and she couldn't make a single comment about any of it.

By now, I should have completely lost my cool at her, but I was surprisingly calm.

Bella and I are together. I don't give a fuck that the media writes about fake relationships they've made up to increase their circulation and sell more advertising space.

Remembering my blissful weekend with my girlfriend, gave me the strength to shut Rosalie's hateful words down. I wasn't going to let her get to me. I wasn't going to be the recipient of her frustration.

We continued filming stunts. The wire harness I had to wear was chafing the inside of my leg and cutting into my lower back. It was physically draining.

The stunt guy was hovering just out of shot. At every break he kept reminding me about the safety protocols, because I'd skipped training on Saturday morning to be with Bella at the B&B.

At least I had memories of my weekend to counter-balance the discomfort.

We get to stay in the cottage for two weeks. Two weeks of living with Bella.

I could feel my heart rate quicken with the thought of sleeping in the same bed as her every night. I was insanely excited to introduce her to my family this weekend. It would make it all real, for them to know her, like I did.

Marcus told us to take a break. He was waiting on the 'perfect' light of sunset to attempt to film a particular scene off the ground. We were going to be in the harness for over an hour, so he directed us to freshen up beforehand.

I checked my phone when I got back to the location trailer. Bella had called me twice.

"Edward! Can you call me when you're on a break? Can you come to the hotel tonight? I really need to talk to you, it's really important."

I wondered why she'd sounded so anxious. I called her back right away.

No connection.

I thought it was odd that she wanted me to meet her at the Hotel, when she'd already said that we could stay at the B&B.

I called her room at the hotel. It rang until the hotel message service activated.

I called Mike at the concierge desk.

"Hi Mike, it's Edward Cullen."

"Hello Mr. Cullen, how may I assist you?"

"Is Bella at the hotel?"

"Yes, I believe she's still here Mr. Cullen."

"Thanks. Can you put me through to her room? I'll leave a message, she's not answering her cell."

"Certainly Sir, I'll put you straight through."

When the message activated, I spoke softly.

"Hi. Of course I can come to the Hotel, but I thought we were going to stay at the B&B tonight? I seem to recall I promised something to you this morning." I whispered, as I recalled touching her. "I can't stop thinking about you. I can't wait to see you. I'm an absolute mess trying to stay in character today Bella. All I can think about is our weekend," I said seductively. "I've gotta go. I love you. I'll hopefully see you before nine. I'll come to your room. Bye."

I disconnected and closed my eyes.

I just need to get through this shoot, and I can be with her.

~0~

~~Bella~~

I thanked Mike and started to walk back towards the lift, when I sensed him. A cold shiver rippled up my spine and across my scalp.

I turned and looked up into the tired eyes of Riley Biers.

"Bella," he said, relieved.

I could feel myself trembling. My head kept shaking 'no, no'. I'm not ready for this. I need to get out of here.

"Please Bella. I just need to talk to you. Please," he sounded so broken.

I stood rooted to the spot, unable to move and inch.

"Come to my room. I need to be alone with you, to talk," he said softly.

"No!" I said in anger.

His room? What the fuck? How dare he!

Kate's words filtered into my consciousness 'Bella, if Riley Biers walked through that door right now, what would you say to him?'

"Bella, I don't mean…I just want to talk to you in private." he pleaded.

I was suddenly conscious of the busy lobby, but there was no way I would go anywhere 'private' with him. He forfeited the right to ever make me feel hidden again.

"Whatever you need to say to me, just say it. I'm not going anywhere with you." I said bluntly.

He closed his eyes, pained and tired, and I watched as he licked his dry lips and rubbed his face.

His face.

He was not the boy I remembered from three years ago. He looked older and weary. I could feel my eyes stinging with tears, because I still remembered how much I'd loved him, and how happy he once made me.

"I had to come. You didn't read them," he sounded incredulous.

I stayed silent.

"I can't blame you, but you need to know the truth. I need you to know the truth," he said, and leaned towards me.

I swallowed and tried to straighten my posture.

We both need closure.

"Just say what you need to say." I said.

I watched as he rubbed his hand over his face again and his weight shifted from foot-to-foot.

I stood my ground. I stared at his tired brown eyes, my heart pounding faster with each second that he didn't speak.

"I can't believe it's taken me this long," he said.

Then he finally looked to my eyes.

I couldn't look away.

"I stood outside your apartment for weeks, after that night. I didn't expect you to take my calls, and I didn't have the balls to face you. My excuses would have sounded lame. I thought it better that you hate me, than think my obligation to my family was more important than you, than our love."

Obligation? He thought I hated him?

I told him every day we were together that I loved him.

Even after seeing him with Victoria, I couldn't hate. I couldn't even get angry because I hated myself for not being good enough for him, for throwing myself at him, and for thinking that I could be worthy of his love.

"I love you, Bella. I've been in love with you since I saw you sitting next to my bed, reading Tim Winton in that claustrophobic hospital room."

What? He loves me? If you love someone you don't treat them like he treated me! If you love someone, you don't lie, and cheat, and break their heart!

"I know I owe you an explanation, and I only hope you'll understand and forgive me. I have no right to even expect you to. But all I've had to keep me sane in the last three years is the belief that you'll forgive me.

"Bella, I just need you to know, everything."

I could feel myself biting down on my lip, as I watched the torture in Riley's expression. He seemed so hopeful; his tone was so sad and pleading. I held my held high as I waited for him to continue.

Suddenly, it didn't matter that we were standing in the middle of the lobby. Guests and staff moved around the periphery of us; the tension that was so visible in my posture was a warning.

I could feel Mike's eyes on me, and it was like a comforting lifeline. I knew I could run to him, if this all became too much for me.

But unlike the reaction I had all those years agoto runI didn't want to run from Riley this time. I wanted him to speak. I needed to get a glimpse inside his thoughts, because I'd always wondered what I did wrong. What was real and what was lie in my relationship with him?

"You already know that Victoria and I grew up together. Our parents were close. Victoria's father was like a dad to me, and Victoria was the daughter my mother always wanted.

"After the accident, I took a job with Victoria's dad. You remember that I was working for him when we were together..."

I clenched my hands into fists and resisted the urge to wrap my arms protectively around the ache in my chest.

"My parents had spent their retirement savings and re-mortgaged their house to pay for the best doctors. I'm their only child, of course they would pay for my surgery and rehabilitation, but I felt overwhelming guilt. I had to pay them back. I didn't want to be responsible for them losing their house.

"Victoria's father wanted me to work for him; he wanted me to learn the business. He knew Victoria would never want to take it on. Can you imagine Victoria trying to manage a national Civil Engineering business?"

I inwardly cringed that he would even think that I'd ever want to know what Victoria felt about anything.

I held my composure.

"Mick Marshall he gave me everything, taught me everything I needed to know. Bella, my loyalty to this man was absolute. I loved him like he was my own father. He was a great man; he was my mentor.

"There was nothing he wanted more than for Victoria and I to get married and have children; children that would carry on the family business."

My knees started to shake. Since I was fourteen, I fantasized that I'd be the woman he'd marry and start a family with. I'd wanted that. I'd wanted him.

I stared at Riley blankly, and kept my silence.

Just let him get this off his chest. Just a few more minutes and it will be over!

"Victoria and I went along with it. We dated, but there was no passion, only obligation, to keep our parents happy, to make them proud. To bind our families together.

"My mother thought Victoria was the only girl there would ever be for me; that I'd never meet anyone else, anyone that I'd want to bring home. She was right. Until you.

"Bella, you intrigued me from the moment I saw you dancing at Seth's party all those years ago. I remember it like it was yesterday. You were so carefree; you were so beautiful. You danced by yourself. You never got caught up with the pressure of being in the cool crowd; you didn't try to be someone you're not. I wanted that Bella. I wanted to just be. Sport, drama classes, my art; it was all for show."

Now I seconds from breaking down.

Why is he telling me this now? To break me, to hurt me even more?

His words were like salt in a wound that never completely healed after his betrayal.

"At that party I got a taste of rebellion, of doing something for me, not for my parents. I wanted to kiss you. I told Seth to set up the game of spin-the-bottle. I needed to touch you."

Images bombarded me.

His kiss, the taste of cola on his lips, his warm hands on my waist. His words, 'I will kiss you again one day.'

I felt an errant tear drip slowly down my cheek.

"Victoria and I were together until just before I turned eighteen. Everything after that was pretense, to please our parents. After I recovered from the accident, we planned that she would go overseas, get away, see the world. We were going to tell our parents that we'd spilt up when she got back. We knew it would be hard. But we were determined to see it through.

"But then Vicky came back early because her father fell ill. We decided not to tell him, we decided we'd keep up the farce of our relationship. She knew I was in love with you. I told her everything, Bella. She understood, she met a guy in Canada and she wanted to go back to him."

I didn't want to know that he discussed our relationship with her!

Why could he tell her about us and yet, keep me in the dark?

"I wanted to tell you. I wanted to tell you everything, but I was too fucking blind Bella. You were my savior; you were my sanctum from the drudgery and deception. Those nights we spent together, just talking, feeling. They were the best nights of my life. I was scared shitless that I'd lose you. I was fucking selfish. I kept convincing myself that everything would work out, that Vicky's father would get better, and that I'd finally have the guts the guts to tell our families.

"And then you saw me, and I know how that must have looked to you, but I never cheated on you Bella. I swear to you, even though it looked real, Victoria and I never… I only wanted you. I've not been with anyone since that morning; the morning that I made love to you and lied about going to a business meeting."

He was staring into my eyes as I wiped away the tear. I didn't know what to say, or what he expected me to say. It all seemed too surreal to comprehend.

"Victoria's father passed three months ago. He left the business to me and Victoria, equal share. She's happy for me to run it; we came clean with our families. We told them that we'd only ever be friends, that we'll never be anything more than that. I'm ashamed that it took the death of Victoria's father for us to realize, life's too short, that we were stupid, living our lives to please our families, not being with the people we loved. It makes me sick to know what I put you through.

"I know it's too little too late. I can't expect that you would forgive me instantly, but please Bella, I need you to know that I love you. I've never stopped loving you. Every day I curse myself for not explaining it all to you. I'm sorry. I'll regret letting you believe the lie for the rest of my life. I love you. I'll always love you."

No, this isn't happening!

I watched as Riley inched closer to me, his hands wringing themselves together as if he was chanting a prayer.

"I want another chance; a chance to make things right. I'll make it up to you Bella, every single day. I'll cherish you; you've always deserved to be cherished. I can't even stomach the thought of being with anyone else. You are my life and you always will be. I love you Bella, please, please however long it takes. I'll wait, I'll wait until you give me the chance to make it all up to you."

My mind was in a downward spiral. I just couldn't comprehend that he consciously decided to let me believe he didn't love me or want me. That he let me believe that I meant nothing. That the intense time we spent together could be thrown away. Why? Because he owed his parents money? I would have understood if he'd told me! We could have worked something out. I would have done anything.

If he'd been honest with me, things would be so different now.

My body felt hollow at that thought. It wasn't because of what Riley was saying; it was because I would never have met Edward if I'd known the truth. I knew, if Riley had told me this five weeks ago, before I'd even met Edward, I'd be falling into his embrace right now, relieved that those feelings of love weren't in my imagination. That everything I'd experienced with him was real. I'd been so dependent on him. I'd built Riley up in my mind to be everything, and it made me feel sick because I knew I would've taken him back in a heartbeat.

But I wasn't that girl anymore.

The girl that Riley Biers loved, that Bella Swan was the chrysalis, cocooned in denial and self-hatred.

I was now the butterfly that would face the world with boundless energy, empathy, strength and support. I refused to live my life in a glass jar and no one would fucking dare try to pin my wings!

Riley stepped towards me. I could tell he wanted to touch me. It would be cruel to tell him he was only weeks too late, when I could see the hope in his eyes. I stepped back and out of his reach.

"I'm sorry, Riley. It's too late. I'm not that girl anymore. I finally moved on. I'm happy. You need to move on from this. I know you can be happy too."

He shook his head 'no'.

"No, Bella. You know we belong together. We can get through this. I bought us a house. It has a painting studio and a beautiful study that looks across the Harbour. It's your room to write. I'm wealthy, I can look after you, we can be together. I can fix this. I need you."

Buying 'us' a house, looking after me, with no consultation?

I felt an overwhelming sadness for him.

"You love me, Bella. I know you do!"

I had loved him, past tense. I'd loved him blindly and willingly. But those feelings were destroyed because, even as I looked at him now, the trust was gone. He could never earn that back, and what we'd had could never compare to what I now had with Edward.

"I'll always remember our love, but we can never get that back. You broke my heart. You chose not to let me be involved in a decision that affected us both. You destroyed the trust, the blind faith that I had in you. You didn't give me a choice. That hurts more than me believing you wanted someone else."

"Please just give me one more chance. We can take it slow. I can restore that trust, I swear."

"I can't..."

"You've met someone," he stated, rather than asking. He sounded frantic.

I didn't see the point in lying to him.

"Yes."

"No!" his tone was half anger, half disbelief.

"You said you'd be mine, forever. I can't lose you, I just can't. You have to give me another chance!"

I could feel the anger burning me inside. "You don't get to input into my decisions. You lost the right when you..." I couldn't finish.

I took in a deep breath.

"You should go back to Sydney. I can't give you what you want."

Then his hand grabbed my wrist. "Bella. It wasn't an accident."

I looked down to his hand.

His fingers were stubby and yet, perfectly manicured. His hand was sweaty, but that wasn't what alerted me. There was nothing. There was no feeling. His touch didn't register, not like it once had. There was no thumping in the pit of my stomach, or zinging electricity coursing through my veins.

I met his eyes with a pointed stare and he released me.

Tears fell from his eyes. "It wasn't an accident!" he repeated.

What?

I knew what he was implying and now, suddenly, words that he had spoken to me in the past made sense:

'It was you Bella, not Victoria, that made me want to recover.'

No!

"But why?" I asked.

It didn't make sense that he would want to hurt himself.

He wanted to die?

"But you had everything. You were popular, talented. You were in Art School. You loved it there. You could do anything! Why are you telling me this now?" I sobbed.

"Because I need you. I needed you then. You made me want to live. I need you back; I need to be with you. Everything is right when I'm with you. Everything."

"You'll be OK. I can't be there for you. I'm sorry." I tried to ignore the ache in my chest at the thought he wanted to hurt himself.

"I won't be OK!"

I looked up into his dark eyes. I tried to deny what I thought he was implying.

This is emotional blackmail!

"No. You can't do that to me. You can't make me feel guilty! After everything you've just told me, why would you even try and guilt me into living a life that I don't want now? How could you do that to me?"

His expression morphed from desperate to shocked, as my accusation registered. "Oh God no, Bella. I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

"I want you to be happy. I just can't be the person to give you happiness. You need to forgive yourself. You'll get through this; you're a survivor. I forgive you and I know you'll be happy, because I am. I gave myself permission. You can do it too."

I turned and walked to the lift. My hands were shaking.

The doors opened and when an older couple exited I stepped in.

I couldn't look back at him. I couldn't. It was done.

It's over.

When the doors opened I realized I'd descended to the basement parking-garage.

I stepped out of the lift. My heart was racing, but I felt an overwhelming sense of relief and clarity.

Riley did love me. I didn't imagine it. My mind had twisted the truth of what I believed to cope with the loss of him. I blamed myself, I convinced myself that I did something wrong. I was so stripped of self-worth that I was too quick to dismiss everything I felt was real, and doubt everything I believed to be true, instantly.

I'd been through so much, and I'd felt intense love, and desolation, and euphoria, in the short time Edward had been in my life. It was so clear to me that everything happened to build up my strength. I may have been content once to put someone else's needs in front of my own. I had lived in that relationship with the mindset that if I had Riley, that was all I'd need to be happy.

Since meeting Edward, I'd realized that the kind of relationship I'd had with Riley was destructive and imbalanced.

With Edward, I wanted him, but I could still be me. I could focus on myself, I could focus on him, and we could support each other equally and with openness and honesty.

My insecurities had damaged the way I saw myself, and my perception of how worthy I could be to another person. That was all wrong. I could be a strong independent woman that loved a strong independent man. We would share everything, support each other equally, and thrive.

Somehow all the obstacles that I'd placed massive importance on, shrunk in comparison to everything I'd been through.

I felt strong because I knew what I wanted.

I wanted a life with Edward. It wouldn't be easy, it would constantly push me out of my internal comfort zone, but the reward would be a life with a man who loved, respected and supported me.

I pulled my phone out of my jeans pocket.

With shaking fingers I called Edward.

It wouldn't connect.

I walked away from the lift doors until I got a better signal. I held my breath as it started to ring.

~0~

~~Edward~~

I dialed back into my messages to listen to Bella's second call.

"Edward, I—"

She sounded so upset.

"Oh God, he said he did love me. Rileyturned up at the hotel. It was all a misunderstanding, no it washe said he needed to protect meI feel sofor him."

Her voice kept cutting in and out, like she was calling from somewhere with poor coverage.

"I just can't believe it. Ifbeen honest withAll I know is that, it's not
enough. I wasconfused then I realizedmatterthat matters to me isthought of losingme. I don't want to hide my feelingsanyone else. I don't want any secretsmiscommunication to hurtI know what I want; I've never been so
anything in my life. I can't compromisewant everythingmarriage, children, a homewant it allyou. I know it seemsknow that I'm so sure of how I feel
we've only known each other four weeksI havedoubts. Please, can you cometo the hotel? Myfiancéhere. Edward, I don't wantyou. I need to talk to you in person. I only love—Please? Can you come to thetonight?"

Her message went dead.

I was in shock.

Riley? Her ex had arrived unannounced from Australia? He'd come to take her away from me?

I tried to comprehend it all. Her message was disjointed. The desperation in her tone scared me.

Certain words she'd spoken chilled me to the bone; fiancé, marriage, children? The thought of her wanting those things with someone else shattered me. I wanted those things with Bella, only Bella.

I should have told her! I should have told her everything, even Alice's dream!

That fucking manipulative bastard!

He doesn't get to come back into her life like this! She's confused; she's vulnerable. She loves me! I can't lose her now. I won't!

There was a loud banging on my trailer door and the location manager shouted impatiently, "Edward, we need you to harness up!"

I stared at my phone. I tried to formalize a plan. I'd fucked up so many things, but this was not going to break us.

Riley was my biggest threat, but there was no way I would go down without a fight.

My relationship with Bella was destined. I knew she felt it too. He'd known her longer, but he'd had his chance and he pissed it away. He'd hurt her. I wouldn't stand by and let her be hurt by him again. I would not allow him to come back into her life and take her away from me.

Bella and I belong together and I'll fight with everything I have. I can't lose her!

Now, I was more than angry.

I was livid!

~0~

A/N: Hugs to mpg for her immense help with this chapter. Hello to new readers, and to my wonderful faithful readers and reviewers (((hugs you all)))). BBxx