EPOV

"Bella?" I whispered, standing across the room by the window. As soon as I saw her I would have wrapped her in my arms, but the look of terror on her face made me pause.

Renee and Phil's apartment building had three floors and they lived on the third floor. Jasper and Alice were waiting for me on the roof, standing directly above the room Bella was staying in order to be close enough for Jasper to get a read on her emotions.

She's terrified! Jasper thought, confirming what was clear to see.

Bella's eyes flew open and she gasped. I opened my arms, beckoning her forward so I could embrace her. She took one step forward, then took a step back. Her heart was pounding. She'd never denied me before, she usually eagerly ran into my arms.

"Love, what's wrong?" I pleaded.

She cringed, but quickly her face turned to stone.

"What do you want?" she asked, icily.

I swallowed nervously, surprised at her attitude. "Alice saw you were sick, I was concerned and came to see if you were alright."

An unreadable expression flashed across her face. "I'm fine."

We starred at each other, neither of us saying a word.

In my mind I could see Jasper talking to Alice. She was concerned. "Bella is using the same tone with Edward as she used with me…what is she so upset about?"

"Her emotions are all over the place….it's hard to get an accurate reading."

"Why did you leave Forks without telling me?" I asked, quietly. I couldn't mask the hurt I felt.

Bella glared at me. "You don't tell me everything."

I was confused. "What is that supposed to mean?"

She looked at me suspiciously and closed her eyes. "You're too good…." she mumbled.

I took a step forward. "Love, did I upset you? What did I do? Tell me and I'll make it right…"

Bella put her hands up. "Don't come near me. Don't touch me," she hissed.

I froze.

Less than half an hour earlier, when I spoke with Renee her thoughts revealed that she believed Bella and I had broken up. I immediately dismissed it because it was a preposterous, impossible thought. Now, with the way Bella was acting, I wondered if there was some validity to it.

"Please, Edward, don't be cruel," she whimpered. "Just leave me alone."

I had never seen Bella be afraid of me before, not once. Yet, she was practically trembling in fear.

"I won't hurt you, Bella," I whispered, although in all honesty, I always struggled with my bloodlust and the monster raging inside me that wanted to drain her. I remembered the sweet taste of her blood when I was sucking out James' venom from her system and how I had the strength to stop before I killed her. My love for her was strong, unchangeable. If she died, I would seek destruction. Bella was my life.

"You're a monster," she spat. "I want a normal life.

She opened her mouth and began to scream.