I want to thank Iridescent Bellisle Cullen for constantly reviewing my story. I also want to thank my other reviewers and I want them to know that because of them I am still writing this story. It hurts a lot when people do not appreciate your 'effort'. And please notice, I mean 'effort' and not 'writing'. Reviewing is the best way to appreciate someone's effort. I appreciate all forms of criticism ... if you do not like my story, say it. I write here to improve my skill and entertain you people, the least you can do is give me a feedback. And please do not tell me that the story is so crappy that you did not want to waste your time on commenting because if you can waste your time on reading this story till the last updated chapter, surely it is not too crappy and it deserves a comment. And if you truly do not like it, say it. But I want to hear what you have to say about it.

THE CONVERSATION

"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 a silver chain with a heart-shaped pendant on it. Bella's eyes widened and her brows shot up.

Carlisle offered her a small smile and started the engine.

Bella brought it closer to her face, inspecting the intricate design on the pendant. She needed a moment to understand that the intricate design is nothing but the words 'Love you forever'. She had seen this pendant thousands of times but she never noticed this. A tear rolled down her cheek.

"It was my mom's." Bella whispered.

"Yeah, I know. Sue wanted to return it to you. After Renee's death, when Charlie married Sue, he gave it to her. But Sue wanted to return it to you and..." Carlisle looked t Bella before continuing "... She also wanted to apologize."

Bella shot him a look like he had lost his mind.

"Everyone commits mistake." Carlisle said lightly.

"Some are not mistakes, some are sins." As soon as Bella uttered these words, different images of her love-making moments with Edward flashed into her mind. And Bella could almost feel her guilt wrenching every muscle of her heart. Was she any better than Sue, she asked herself. She flinched internally at the thought. She could not tolerate the idea that she did something as bad as Sue. She needed distraction so she blurted out, "Did you know she was coming? Why did you talk to her? Last time she met you she had accused you being a 'sick paedophiliac who wants to fuck his best friend's daughter' and these were her exact words. Do not tell me you have forgiven her?"

"I do remember what she did and said but after all these years and especially on today's date, it is not prudent to fight with her. And it is rude to walk away while someone is trying to apologize." Carlisle said in a subdued tone.

Bella turned her face away, like a child. Then in a very cautious voice she asked "Will you forgive such infidelity?"

Carlisle was silent for a very long time. Bella's heart rate was increasing every second and she mentally cussed herself for asking this question. 'What if he doubts me', she thought.

At last Carlisle spoke, "I do not know. Honestly, I don't know. I have always valued loyalty over everything. It would probably kill me, just the way it killed Charlie... but life is so uncertain and weird situation forces you to take weird decisions. Sometimes you have to live when you would rather die and sometimes your death is so near you that you can almost feel it in your bones. If I die tomorrow neither love nor betrayal will have any meaning. "

Bella was looking at Carlisle with wide eyes. His reply had shaken her core. She expected him to say something like 'No, I would never forgive it' or 'I would leave you, if you ever do that to me.' And in her heart she hoped to hear 'Yes, I would forgive such infidelity. Things like that happen sometime." But never in her worst nightmare had she imagined something like that. She could accept it if Carlisle wanted to kill her. She found it justifiable. But what shocked her was the talk about dying; 'It would probably kill me, just the way it killed Charlie'. She could not make sense to other half of his discourse. They were so cryptic. She wanted to ask something, only she did not know what she wanted to ask. May be she wanted to ask if he knew something about her infidelity. She, most probably, wanted to know what he meant by dying tomorrow and feeling death in his bones. But all she could ask was, "Killed Charlie?"

"Forgive me for bringing this up." Carlisle apologized looking really guilty. It confused Bella more.

"You did not bring anything up." Bella assured him. "But I want to know, what you mean ... what killed Charlie?..." For the first time in many months, Bella looked into Carlisle's eyes and her voice turned soft and she whispered "Do you know something more about dad's death? Is Sue responsible for it?"