Disclaimer: Do I own Twilight? Nope.

M for language and violence.

Chapter 3

When Charlie woke up, I had just finished making dinner. Noah was still asleep, but we needed to get back to the apartment we shared with Jacob before he came back from work. He liked to have dinner ready and the table set when he walked in.

"Hey dad, nice nap?"

"Yeah, my grandson likes to cuddle," he replied, smiling.

"Dinner is ready. I need to bring some back home to Jake."

"Oh, ok Bells. Do you want me to bring Noah to the car?"

"Yes, please. Thanks for bringing me home, dad."

I forced a smile and got in the police cruiser. Charlie didn't know what I was going through every day. I had told him once that I thought Jacob was bipolar because of his mood swings but Charlie had laughed, telling me I shouldn't exaggerate. I didn't blame him though. Jake was always polite and exchanging pleasantries with my dad. He couldn't possibly notice something was wrong if I didn't tell him anything…

When I got home, I waved bye to my dad and sighed. I was relieved that Jake wasn't home yet. I didn't need to get him angry because the table wasn't set yet.

I put Noah in his crib, kissing the top of his head. Except Noah's things, everything in this apartment belonged to Jacob. And I had no say in whatever he chose, even my clothes. Oh, it had been a long road to there. And at first, I didn't see it as manipulation. I wanted so much to please him, to make him happy. But slowly, I lost myself. I lost my friends and I lost myself. I didn't know who Bella Swan was anymore. I was Jake's Bella.

My cell phone rang as I finished setting the table. I prayed it was Jacob telling me he would be late, but checking at the caller ID, I was surprised that the Cullens were getting back to me so fast.

"Hello?"

"Bella, dear, it's Esme."

"Hi Esme…"

"Listen, Bella, do you still live with Jacob Black or are you at your father's right now?"

"Still with Jake…"

"Ok, Bella, you need to get out of there. Come to our house, I don't want you there any longer."

Glancing out the window, I saw Jake's Rabbit parking in the driveway. I started to panic.

"Esme, I'll have to call you back, Jake will be home any second!"

The door opened.

"Bye!" And I hung up, putting my cell phone in my pocket. "Hey Jake, how was your day?" I smiled at him. My heart was pounding in my chest.

"Who was on the phone, Bella?" he asked sharply.

"No one. A wrong number," I said, praying my voice was not shaking too much.

"Give me your phone, then, if it was no one" he demanded, raising his voice.

"Please, Jake, you'll wake Noah up…" I pleaded.

Jake reached for my pocket and took out my phone harshly. He looked through my recent phone calls. I saw his face turn red as anger overtook him.

I took a step back, fear appearing on my face.

"No one huh?! No fucking one?! Fucking little slutty liar!" he shouted, throwing my phone on the floor and breaking it with his boots.

"So, tell me how long you have been fucking Edward Cullen behind my back? How could you cheat on me with that bastard?"

I was silently crying, too afraid to make a noise. I couldn't meet his eyes.

"Answer me, fucking whore! How long?"

He pressed his fingers hard on my arms. It hurt a lot. It would leave bruises, no doubt about that.

"You're hurting me, Jake!"

He pressed harder, his breath on my face.

"I… I never… cheated on you! Please…" I begged for him to stop, to let me go.

He finally did, but then threw his fist in the air and my breath caught in my throat as I thought for sure he would break my nose, but he stopped millimeters away from my nose.

"Not a word about this or I'll kill you!"

He stormed out, slamming the door, waking up Noah at the same time.

My face was wet with tears but I dried it on my sleeve before taking my son and hugging him.

I had to get out of here. I didn't know how much time I had before Jacob would come back. I put Noah in his stroller and took two bags. One with Noah's necessities and favorite toys and one with my wallet, important documents, some clothes and all the money I could find in the apartment. I made sure not to forget Noah's album of baby pictures and left without looking back.

I walked fast, looking around, making sure Jake wasn't near me.

As I rang the doorbell to the Cullen Mansion, I couldn't hold the tears anymore and cried again. The door opened to reveal Edward. He had a scowl on his face but when he saw me crying, he seemed really worried.

"I'm so sorry, Edward, so so sorry!" I said between hiccups.

"Mom! Get down here now, it's an emergency!" he yelled, taking Noah in his arms.

It took me about an hour to stop crying and to explain Esme what happened. She excused herself to call Carlisle at the hospital, and Edward sat beside me. Noah was playing with his toys on the floor, oblivious to my pain. I glanced at me old best friend, only to find him staring at me.

"I should have been there for you, Bella," he whispered.

"It wasn't easy for me to let you go, Edward. I didn't want to. God knows I really didn't want to…"

"I know… I understand, Bella… It hurts nonetheless."

I missed you every day. With time, I learned that love should never come in between friendship. But it was too late. And Jake… He was so jealous. I was afraid he would hurt you."

Edward sighed.

"I should have known you were unhappy."

We kept silent for a moment, both of us lost in our thoughts, until Esme came back.

"Bella, you're staying here. No complaints. I'll set a nursery for Noah and a room for you next to it, across from Edward's room. Then we'll have to call your father…"

I nodded, grateful. I'd feel a lot safer living with them then on my own. It was even better than the money I'd ask of them earlier. The phone rang and Esme answered it.

"Hello? … Good afternoon Chief Swan, how may I help you? … Yes, they are here and both are fine… What? … Why don't you come over and we'll explain everything… No! I don't want Jacob Black anywhere near my house. Just come over, Charlie… Yes, see you soon."

Hearing Jake's name, I began to shake. Edward took my hand in his.

"Don't worry, Bella. I won't ever let him touch you again," he promised. He took Noah and went to play with him as Carlisle arrived.

In doctor mode, Carlisle demanded to see my arms. I took off my sweater and Esme gasped.

"You can see the handprints! Carlisle, we have to take pictures…" she said.

I was glad that Edward was not in the room anymore. I didn't want him to see this. I was grateful he was taking care of my son.

"Pictures? Why?" I asked.

"You'll need proof if you want to press charges," Carlisle explained as he took some pictures of my bruises.

"Oh. Right."

I hadn't thought about pressing charges. I wasn't sure if I was strong enough to do it. I knew it was long and difficult procedures. I wondered what my dad would say. Would he be disappointed in me? I wasn't sure of anything anymore. When the doorbell rang, I took a deep breath.

Carlisle and Esme went to open the door. Charlie was there, alone.

"Carlisle, Esme, where's Bella?"

"Right here, dad…"

He entered the house and came to hug me, touching my bruised arms. I flinched.

"What the hell happened, Bella? Jake called the station, saying you and Noah were missing and that there was a break in at the apartment! I was so worried!"

"You'll need to sit down, Charlie," Carlisle said as I cried once more.