Chapter Two

Edward didn't come back again that day but a young, nervous looking doctor, who was definitely human, came in to bandage the wounds on my stomach. He didn't say anything, but I knew from the sharp intake of breath when he lifted my top that I was in a bad way. When he peeled back the cloth hat someone had tied over my empty eye socket while I was unconscious, his face went grey and I thought he was going to gag. For a second I felt a strange urge to laugh out loud but as soon as he started cleaning away the blood I felt more like throwing up. As I concentrated on not losing consciousness again I saw what looked like pity flicker in the doctor's eyes and he touched my cheek in what I think was supposed to be a reassuring way. Then he quickly scurried out of the room without a backward glance.

Hours passed and no one came. Every time I heard a creak or a footstep I thought Edward was going to reappear and explain what was going on. However bad things seemed, I remained convinced that if Edward was alive everything would be ok. That he would save me. Because he loved me. And I kept telling myself that as the light faded and the room grew colder and I fell asleep, dreaming that I was safe in Edward's arms again.

The next morning I woke to find Victoria standing over me, smiling sadistically.

"Good morning, Bella. Oh dear, not so pretty now are we? Even that dog won't want you now!" Clearly enjoying herself, she ripped the gag out of my mouth and smirked even more. " You still have no idea what's going on, do you? You still think your knight in shining armour is going to save you. Well he's not. Edward loves me. Edward has always loved me. You are nothing. Why would a vampire ever want to marry a useless human like you?" She laughed cruelly and spat in my face, relishing the hurt and confusion on my face. I tried desperately to hold it together in front of her but as soon as she had left I felt my mind go numb and tears pour from my good eye.

But even though Victoria's words had hurt, even though I was still shaking from their impact, I didn't believe them. I couldn't. I knew that Edward loved me; I had seen it in his eyes, felt it in his touch. And James, what about James? Why had Edward saved me from him if not because he loved me? But even so, he was here. He was here and he hadn't helped me…