Author Note: So I had to rewrite this chapter because the file mysteriously disappeared and my tablet didn't back up the file either. I was pissed to say the least, especially because I was afraid of losing the essence of some of the scenes.
Chapter 26:
BPOV
I internally fought with myself the entire way up to the apartment. I knew I needed to tell Edward what happened with Stephan, but I was afraid of his reaction. I was afraid of what he would do to Stephan. Don't get me wrong, Stephan needed to be put in his place, but I worried Edward's methods may be a little more painful and bloody for my liking. Not to mention there were was so many other things going on and I really didn't want to add to the pile. But I needed to tell him. If we were going to have a strong marriage, then we needed to be open and honest.
The elevator alerted me that I had reached my destination, and after nodding to the guards stationed outside the apartment door, I walked into the apartment with my mind set. Stepping in though, I found Edward dressed in a suit looking like he was leaving. Upon further inspection, I realized Esme was here. They both noticed my arrival along with Liam.
"Hey, Bella." Edward greeted.
"Hey." I responded with a forced smile.
"Something came up at the club and I have to go down there and diffuse the situation."
"Oh, okay." I responded trying to hide my disappointment. Well there goes telling him about Stephan.
Edward walked over and held my face between his hands. "I promise if it wasn't urgent I wouldn't be leaving. The police may be getting involved and-"
"The police!" I interrupted.
"Yes, I wanted to be honest with you, but I don't want you worrying," Yeah, honest with each other….
"I understand. Trust me, I will be fine." I said with a weak smile.
"I called Esme because I didn't think you would be done yet. You're back earlier than expected." Shit. I can't bring up Stephan now, especially with Esme here.
"I got tired out easily today and didn't want to push myself over the edge." I hated lying, but honestly I got tired of Stephan and he was pushing me to the edge, so it's kind of the truth, right?
"Well rest then. Esme is here and she can help with Liam." He then kissed my forehead and left.
My heart started to sink.
"How about you take a shower, dear? I have missed Liam and would love to spend time with him." Esme said with her usual soft, assuring tone.
I obliged and got in the shower. As the water ran over my body, I could feel the tears start to run down my face. A sob then racked through my whole body. I hated what happened with Stephan. I trusted him, and after what he said I wasn't sure what to think towards him. I hated not being able to tell Edward, and I felt like I was lying to him. I had trouble trusting people, and the situation with Stephan fucked that up even more and now it could possibly strain my marriage.
I finished my shower and dressed in comfy clothes. Esme and Liam were having a fun time, and it made me happy he had a grandma now. The evening came and went. Esme left shortly after dinner, and told me she was just one floor away if I needed anything. Liam had his bath and then was down for the night. Edward was still gone, and I had no clue when he would home.
Sometime during the night Edward came home, but I never heard him. It wasn't until morning when I woke that I realized he was in the bed with me. I didn't bother him since I didn't know what time he came home. Liam and I had a pleasant morning, and soon midday rolled around and then afternoon. At what crazy hour did Edward come home? At 2 o'clock there was knock on the main door and I opened it to find Alice. We didn't have any plans to hang out so her visit was unexpected.
"Hey" I answered trying to sound normal. I felt off since not being able to tell Edward what happened yesterday.
"Hello. I am here to get Liam. Edward texted me at 4:30 this morning to ask me if I could watch Liam while you train. Luckily his text didn't wake me up and I saw it when I woke up later. Jasper was out late too, but he is awake now so it's fine that the kids are running around. Why aren't you dressed?" She talked so fast and bounced from one topic to another that I really had to pay attention when she opened her mouth.
"Uhh…" Shit I didn't consider that Edward would get backup for Liam and I would lose my excuse to not go to training.
"Bella?"
"Sorry, Edward didn't tell me you would be watching Liam. He's still asleep so I thought I was going to have to cancel."
"You didn't did you?" She asked worriedly.
I could lie…..But before I could respond a voice I wasn't expecting spoke up.
"No, she didn't." Stephan.
What the fuck was doing here?
Since I was speechless, he filled us in.
"You didn't have a guard escort you down yesterday, so I came to offer my additional services. You can never be too careful." He said calmly, but I detected a double meaning underneath.
"Oh Okay." Alice chirped.
There was no way I was getting out of this. Well if he had the nerve to show up at my door and act like this then he is definitely going to get a piece of my mind once we get downstairs.
"Let me change real quick." I said flatly.
After switching clothes, I said my goodbyes to Liam and he was off with Alice. The elevate ride with Stephan was silent and a little awkward. I was waiting till we got to the padded room that had no cameras, before I unleashed my fury. Before the whole situation had me uncomfortable, but now I was pissed off and wanted answers.
Once we reached the room, I let him have it.
"Why the fuck did you show up at my door? You have some nerve." I was full of rage.
"Bella-"
"No, better yet, what the hell was yesterday about? What gives you the right to say those things to me? And why is my sex life with my husband any concern of yours?" I yelled.
He was silent and it made me want to punch him in the face.
"Stephan, you better say something or I swear to God I will shoot you myself."
"So, Edward is going to shoot me is he?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Maybe, when he finds out." I spat.
"Oh so you haven't told him? Real communication you two have." He scoffed.
He is lucky I don't have gun or knife on me.
"I haven't had the chance to tell him. But the reality is that this concerns me and you. I thought you were my friend, someone I could trust, but apparently I was wrong."
"Bella, I am your friend and that is why I reacted like I did."
What the fuck.
"A friend tells you that you're a slut for sleeping with your own husband?" I asked with venom coating my words.
"I said things I shouldn't, I'll admit that. I approached it all wrong, but it was because I was surprised."
"Surprised?" I said while glaring.
"I didn't think he would push you both intimately. I figured it would be a good while, before…"
"He didn't push me to do anything! We talked about it and it was mutual. Everything was consensual."
"Did you think that maybe you were moving to fast?" He asked and I swore I saw care in his eyes.
"We are married!"
"But you haven't known each other long. Also with your past, with what happened, I figured it would take longer for you to be comfortable with… to be that intimate." He said hesitantly.
"And again my sex life isn't of your concern. But if you must know, I felt like I have known Edward for forever. He understands me and we have this connection that is unexplainable. I love him, and he never pushed me to do something I wasn't comfortable with. We took things at our own pace. I can see you are or were concerned, but I am fine."
Stephan didn't respond.
"Stephan, is there another reason you got upset?"
I hoped there wasn't. He couldn't be…jealous…..?
Could he?
"Bella, you are so pure and innocent. This life, the mafia, it isn't for you. What I'm trying to say is ….you're too good for this kind of life. I don't want it to taint you."
"You think I'm weak."
"No!" he practically shouted. "You are the opposite. You're strong and fierce. You deserve so much more."
I then realized he had moved close to me, and he reached his hand to my face.
"Bella…." The look in his eyes. Oh shit.
He moved closer and I knew what he was about to do. I swatted his hand away. He looked hurt, emotionally.
"Stephan, you need to leave. You will no longer train me. Only speak or engage me unless it's about something concerning your job. I don't want to be around you. I will inform Edward of everything that has happened when the time is right. I suggest you be prepared as the conversation he will have with you after will be unpleasant."
I looked into Stephan's pain filled eyes and part of me hurt.
Stephan then gathered his things, and without another word, left.
