The Unexpected Visitor.
Bella had been kneeling down beside her father's grave (without caring about soiling her knee-length white dress), when she heard the ring of Carlisle's phone. She looked back to see Carlisle taking out his cell from his trouser pocket. She didn't know he was standing behind her. On these yearly visits, Carlisle had always given her absolute solitude by going off to visit Esme's grave. She was surprised to find him with her today. He was speaking softly to the caller and Bella did not try to eavesdrop on the conversation.
After a long time, Bella exhaled slowly and stood up. She felt drained. Slowly she turned around and looked at Carlisle. Carlisle's expression surprised her. He was not looking at her; he was looking far away with a forlorn look on his face. He looked a decade older than he actually was. His eyebrows were furrowed and his eyes looked thoughtful.
"Carlisle!" Bella spoke softly.
He closed his eyes for a second and then looked at his wife.
"Ready to leave?" He asked with a smile though his eyes remained sad.
"What is the matter?" She was genuinely concerned. She had never seen him so dejected.
Carlisle seemed to hesitate. He opened his mouth to say something but at that precise moment a shrill female voice interrupted him.
"Hello Carlisle!" Her voice was cold.
Both, Bella and he turned to see the woman standing there. She was in her early fifties but her hair had not a single grey tress in it. In a long Beige coloured jacket, with her hands shoved inside her pocket, she looked ill at ease.
"Sue!" Carlisle seemed surprised. He frowned slightly and looked at Bella.
Bella's eyes were colder than the blowing wind. Her jaw was rigid and her hands were clenched in tight fists. The person whom she hated the most – her step mother – was standing right in front of her and it was difficult for her to control her overwhelming disgust for her. Carlisle lightly touched her shoulder. For a second she looked at him, before walking past Sue. She strode off rigidly to the car and opened the passenger side door with more force than needed. She banged the door closed and groaned.
'She is responsible for dad's death. She took away everything from me. She has spoilt my life. Everything is her fault.' Bella could think nothing else than these. It had been six years but Bella still could not forgive Sue. She hated her as much as she did before. They never had a pretty relationship and their mutual dislike was pretty evident. As long as Charlie was alive, they tolerated each other but the day when Charlie died, Bella broke all walls of tolerance and indifference.
It was raining heavily when Bella and Sue returned from Charlie's funeral. Bella flung open the main door and darted upstairs to her room. Closing the bedroom door shut, she flung herself on the bed. She knew her happy days in the house was about to end. She knew it would be better to leave the house but she had nowhere to go.
She heard the door bell ring, followed by a loud, obnoxious and familiar male voice. Then there was silence. A sudden gush of curiosity gripped her; she walked up to her closed bedroom door and tried to listen. She could hear nothing. At last she opened the door silently and tip toed down.
What she saw next, shocked her. Sue's black dress was unzipped from behind. Her arms were wrapped around a bulky man while her lips tried to devour his. The man's arm rubbed her bare back.
"What the fuck" Bella could not stop herself from cussing.
They broke apart instantly. Sue's already flushed face turned a deeper shade of red. Her eyes were wide. Bella looked away from her in disgust. Her eyes landed on the man's face and she froze in anger. It was Paul, Billy's younger brother. And Billy was none other than the man who killed her father the previous day. Billy was now rotting behind the bars. And she hoped with all the hatred she had that Sue and Paul could join him too.
What happened later was nothing but an ugly fight which was followed by Bella leaving her father's house forever.
A hand softly touched her clenched fist. She looked up in shock. Carlisle was already in his seat and he was trying to open Bella's tight fist. She forced herself to calm down and opened her fist.
"I know it must have brought back some ugly memories" Carlisle spoke softly.
"Why was she here?" Her voice was hard.
"She wanted to say sorry..." Bella's eyes became livid at that but Carlisle continued "And she wanted to return you this."
Carlisle took her right hand and placed on it a silver chain with a heart-shaped pendant on it. Bella's eyes widened and her brows shot up.