Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters that are in Twilight and New Moon.

Chapter 2

Esme's POV

The reasons behind my actions were not to buy Sour Skittles. In fact, I had just seen them on the shelf and decided to pick them up as part of my disguise. Obviously, Bella had remembered too much.

When I caught site of the bruise on the bend of her arm, I just knew. There was no more guessing, or doubting. This was the real thing. I had to escape before the memories of my past flooded back.

I had been abused, too. My arranged marriage was not a fairy tale—more like a nightmare. I would have loved for anything, but it was the wrong man. Back then; it could only be spoken by soft whispers on the lips of women who didn't give a damn. It was nothing but gossip for them. But for me, it was much, much more.

It was happening again; this time to someone I loved.

I couldn't sit on the sidelines, watching Bella waist away. Yes, she had hurt my family—even more with my son—but this was unacceptable.

---

Carlisle stared at me with concerned eyes. They were so intense I had to look away. "Something's wrong," he concluded quietly. He sat next to me on the edge of the bed, not making a sound. I knew he was patiently waiting.

I turned my head to an angle that fit between the crevice of his neck and shoulder. "Yes," I whispered. "Something is terribly wrong." I closed my eyes, listening to the hum of his breathing.

"Tell me," he whispered back. "I hate seeing you so sad."

I felt his hand lightly settle on the arch of my cheek. I leaned into, inviting the comfort. "It's Bella."

He didn't hesitate, as I had planned, but instead lightly stroked my skin with the edge of his thumb.

"She's hurting; very much so." I could feel myself frowning.

We both sat in silence with ease.

Finally, I broke. "She's being abused," I sobbed. I shifted so that I could burry my face in his chest. I wanted him to hold me and take away the pain, like a doctor should. "Carlisle, she's suffering! Not just physically, but emotionally… Oh, the look in her eyes." As had expected, no tears came. They never did. But it was terrifying to see my past in the present.

Carlisle held me and cupped a hand around my head. "Shh, it's alright." He cooed.

"We have to do something!"

"You visited Bella?" He asked, running a hand through my hair.

"Yes, Alice told me of a vision. I had to come see it for myself…she was right."

"Does Edward know?"

"Absolutely not. We've been carefully avoiding it in our thoughts."

I could feel him sigh. "We need to tell him," he said, his voice gruff. "He's bound to find out, and it's not good to keep secrets in our family."

I nodded. "When?"

"As soon as possible. Come, Esme, we've got some planning to do."