Chapter 7

BPOV

Great! This was just what I needed! I knew he wouldn't listen to my wishes or those of his family – he never had before. I should never have agreed to come home with Carlisle but, I really had missed the Cullen's and, if I was being honest, I needed to feel the love of a family. I had gone so long without one that it felt nice to have someone take care of me again. I sighed and greeted him "Edward."

His face was just as beautiful as I remembered. His eyes bore into mine and for a minute I was lost in his beauty, lost in the past – a past where I was happy and in love and the world was a beautiful place. I knew that, if I let myself, I would get lost in those eyes forever and, I would be more than happy to do so. I had to work hard to remind myself that, the man standing in front of me was no longer mine – he had made that perfectly clear. The realisation shook me and I rose to my feet. I was leaving whether he liked it or not.

"Bella, please will you sit down, you don't look too good love, and I would like to talk to you."

"I'm not your love Edward and I have nothing to say to you. I'm sure you've gotten the story from Esme's mind anyway. What more is there?"

"Bella please, just give me a few minutes." he pleaded, his golden eyes staring into mine, threatening to turn me to jelly.

I knew that a part of me was still in love with Edward. When he left me, my feelings had remained the same. I hadn't even considered dating anyone else – it was him or no one. However, a large part of me hated him, too. He had lied to me, led me on. I didn't know why – maybe I was some kind of experiment to him, I couldn't say. But whatever his reasons had been, they could not be justified. It just wasn't right to tell someone you loved them, make them fall in love with you and then leave them just as quickly. Not right at all. I wasn't going to ease his conscience.

"Fine Edward, I'll speak to you for a few minutes, but them I AM leaving."

"Alice, Esme, could you leave us alone for a few minutes please?"

"Certainly Edward." Esme replied, pulling an unwilling Alice out of the room with her.

Alice. How I had missed her when they left. She was my best friend and the only person I could truly be myself with, other than Edward. I was so upset when she left me – betrayed even. Edward had realised he didn't love me and that was fine. I always knew he would come to his senses but Alice was different. I thought, maybe stupidly that we would always be friends, no matter what. It didn't matter to me she was a vampire and she couldn't care less I was a human – we loved each other. I didn't think she would leave me without a word. Did she ever really care at all? I thought she had looked happy to see me today but, she hadn't said much at all, and what did it matter anyway? I would be leaving as soon as this conversation was over, then I could try to forget about them all, again.

"OK Edward, what do you want to talk about." I said finally.

"Bella, you have no idea how good it is to have us here with you again."

Yeah right.

"Don't get used to it, I'll be gone soon."

"You can't Bella, where will you go?"

"I don't know. Back to my place, probably." I wouldn't but I didn't need him to know that.

"Where are you staying?"

"That doesn't matter. Now do you have anything else to say or can I go now?"

He slowly walked towards me, as though not to scare me and sat on the bed next to me. I flinched but did not move. Despite everything, I knew he wouldn't hurt me, physically anyway. As he began to talk, I felt a spark of electricity. I was sure he felt it too, but we both ignored it.

"Bella, I have some things to say and I would appreciate it if you would here me out. I know I have no right to ask this of you but, if you would just listen, it's important."

He sounded nervous. I wasn't used to that. Edward had always been so confident, it was strange to see him looking so vulnerable.

"OK, I'll listen." Damn it! I was so annoyed with myself. Even now, after everything that had happened, I was putty in his hands. He sighed a breath of relief and started.

"Bella, I love you -"

That was it. I was up on my feet. Who did he think he was, playing with my emotions like this. It wasn't fair and it wasn't nice. I was seething with rage. My cheeks turning red, when he clasped my wrists.

"Please, sit down. You said you would listen. You can leave when I'm done, if you wish." I thought he sounded sad, but I wasn't going to let him get his own way.

"Edward Cullen, take your hands off me right now. Just who do you think you are. You had your chance and you blew it." I didn't think he was being genuine anyway.

"I am going now. I don't want to see you or your family again. I loved you all once but, that part of my life is over now. If you don't respect my wishes I will expose you all."

I felt bad. I would never expose the Cullens, despite my words, I did still love them all. I just couldn't deal with seeing them again and them leaving and, I wasn't going to take any of their crap any more. You can't just pick people up and drop them whenever you feel like it.

I looked helplessly as Edward crumpled to the floor, a look of pain and anguish on his face. I had made him feel guilty. Well, maybe that's what he deserved. I knew the rest of his family would have heard me and, I regretted that. I didn't want to hurt them, even though they had hurt me, but I had to ensure they left me alone.

He was sobbing audibly now. I knew I shouldn't but, I had to comfort him. I knelt down and placed my hands on his cool cheeks.

"Edward, it's OK, you don't need to feel guilty. It's all in the past. You have to move on now, that's what I'm doing. I'm going now. Take care."

He didn't respond so, I picked up my things and headed downstairs. Alice and Esme greeted me at the bottom. They looked so upset, I had hurt them. Well it was too late to feel sorry now.

"Esme, thank you so much for your hospitality."

"Oh Bella, any time. It was the least I could do." she choked out.

"Thanks, but I won't be around much longer. It was nice to see you and Carlisle again."

I turned to look at my former best friend.

"Alice it was nice to see you again. We never got to say goodbye last time. At least we can do that now." I said more acidly than necessary.

"Bella I'm so sorry, I -"

"It's OK Alice. I'm sure you had your reasons. That's all over and done with now."

"At least let me give you a ride."

"It's fine, I'll walk" I said.

Alice looked so upset that I almost let her but, I didn't want her to know where I was, not that I knew where I was going anyway.

"Your still sick Bella. I can't let you walk, we're too far out from the city, you'll get lost."

"Fine. I'll call a cab."

She looked like she was going to argue, but decided against it.

"I'll call it for you and here" she passed me some money. "To pay for your cab and anything else you might need. "

I looked at the money in disbelief. There must have been thousands of dollars in my hand. So they thought they could buy me now, did they. I didn't want to cause a scene, so I declined as politely as I could.

"Alice, thanks but, I don't want your money."

"Bella, you have no money. How will you pay for your cab?"

"Fine. I will borrow just enough to pay my cab fare, nothing more."

She handed me back a few bills and I thanked her.

"Right, I'll head out to wait for my ride. Thanks so much for looking after me Esme. Alice"

I turned and stepped outside without looking back at the two women.

As I waited, I could feel his stare on me. I didn't need to turn around. I wasn't a vampire but, I could sense him just fine. He was watching me. I dared not turn back, I wasn't strong enough to see him again. Instead, I tried to work out a plan. I couldn't stay here, that's for sure. They were here now and I couldn't risk another encounter with my old family. Family. Charlie. The Cullens weren't the only family I had lost. I had a mother and a father who truly loved me and would welcome me back. Maybe it was time to make peace with Charlie.