All characters belong to Stephenie Meyer

The next few weeks dragged by. Each day seemed worse than the first. Edward was true to his word and was with me every step of the way. He was there for every tear and never once shied away from helping me no matter how sick I got or how much pain I was in.

Occasionally, Alice would stop by to talk and check up on me. One time Emmett even came with flowers to help cheer me up after a particularly rough session. It was very sweet. I was thankful for all their love and support, but was understandably anxious when my two weeks were up.

I was beyond nervous as Edward drove me to the doctors. This was it. I was finally going to find out if the treatments were actually working or not. Part of me hoped I had not suffered in vain, while another part of me prepared for the worse, more realistic option, that they had not worked.

As we pulled into the parking lot I began biting at my thumbnail nervously. Edward came to my side of the car to help me out, but instead leaned down taking my hand from my mouth.

"I have a good feeling about this. It's going to be good news."

I smiled reaching out to stroke his cheek. "We'll see in a few minutes right?"

He grinned. "Come on. We don't want to be late."

I allowed him to pull me from the car and walk me to my doctor's office. Even though I knew he would hear everything that was said in the office, I still wanted to go in alone and asked him to wait outside for me. He complied without complaint.

I took a deep breath and entered the office taking my usual seat on the other side of his desk. Dr. Spencer joined me soon after, his nose buried in a folder. I took a deep breath. This was it, the moment of truth.

"Miss Swan. How are you feeling today?"

"Nervous." I answered honestly.

He nodded his head but did not look happy. By the look on his face I knew what he was going to tell me before the words left his mouth.

"I'm sorry to tell you, but your body does not seem to have reacted to the treatments."

I swallowed hard nodding my head. I didn't feel bad so much for myself but for Edward. I was too shocked to feel anything for myself at the moment. Edward had been so hopeful and optimistic. This news was going to really upset him.

"It's only been a few weeks. I would like to keep trying."

"Will it really help?" I asked softly.

He pursed his lips. "I couldn't say for sure, there's just no guarantee. I still think it's your best chance."

I nodded looking down at my hands. "Thank you doctor for all you've done. But I think I would rather enjoy the time I have left if it's all the same to you."

He was quiet for a brief moment. "I understand."

I looked up at him and smiled as best I could. "Well if that's everything I guess I will be going."

He got up and walked me to the door placing a hand on my shoulder. "I'll see you next month for our usual appointment?"

"I'll be there." I promised as I walked out of the room.

I found Edward with his head in his hands in one of the chairs in the waiting room. I walked slowly to his side sitting next to him. I placed one hand on his back and rubbed small circles.

"You heard." I stated more than asked.

He didn't reply he simply reached out and took me into his arms holding me tight against him. I could feel tears form in my eyes as I embraced him back, my own disappointment catching up to me. All that pain, all that time for nothing! I began to sob into his chest and his arms held me tighter as my body shook. I never should have agreed. I got everyone's hopes up for nothing! Nothing! I never realized until this very moment that I myself had actually been hopeful. Subconsciously, I had actually anticipated that this time would be different, that this time I would be able to fight back and be healed. I had been a fool to believe—a fool to hope. I knew better.

After a while I had quieted down. Edward pulled me from him and smiled, but it did not reach his eyes.

"Come on let's get out of here."

I nodded getting up and walking with him to his car. I thought he was taking me home and was surprised when I found myself in front of his house. I really wasn't in the mood to face anyone and groaned.

Sensing my discomfort Edward took my hand in his and gave it a gently squeeze. "Only Alice and Esme are home, and you don't have to tell them anything. We can just go up to my room and be alone."

"Thanks." I mumbled.

Together we walked to his room not once running into a member of his family, for which I was thankful. He lay down on his big leather couch pulling me down on top of him as he turned on his stereo using the remote.

He held me close and rubbed my back for a long time before he finally broke the silence that had fallen over us.

"So." He stated softly.

"So." I echoed.

"The doctor wants to keep trying."

I shrugged. "It doesn't matter. It won't work. It's not worth it."

He pulled back from me and sat up with me in his lap. "What are you saying?" He demanded.

I looked at him confused. "I'm stopping treatments. I thought you knew that? Didn't you hear me tell the doctor?"

"Why?" He asked sounding desperate.

I stared at him incredulously. "Why? Edward, were your eyes closed these last few weeks? Did you suddenly forget how sick I have been?"

He eyes tightened and he clenched his jaw. "No, I remember. This is not what we agreed to."

"What do you mean, this is not what we agreed to?" I pulled out of his grasp and stared at him expectantly.

"You agreed to under go any and all treatments your doctor suggested."

"And I did just that." I snapped.

"Not if you're refusing treatment now." He replied instantly.

I got up from his lap and stood in front of him fuming. "Are you backing out? After all I went through—is that what you're saying?" My voice was hard and angry.

"That's up to you. You know my conditions."

I clenched my jaw as I fought back the tears that were forming in my eyes. I was so angry with him right now, but above all else I was hurt. Hurt that he would do this to me.

I turned my back to him refusing to let him see the pain on my face. I wrapped my arms around my torso and began walking towards the door.

I heard him sigh behind me. "Bella, wait." He placed his hand on my shoulder and I instantly shook it off.

"Don't." I said through clenched teeth. "You're right." I whispered as the tears I had been fighting began to fall. "I am stopping treatments. Against my better judgment I allowed my doctor to use me as his personal guinea pig. For two weeks I have been beyond miserable, unable to eat or really function on any level normally. But still I endured, and even allowed myself to become hopeful, like a fool. We made a deal after all and I gave you my word. I did my time with no complaints and with no results." I spun around then to look at him my voice full of venom. "So excuse me for not wanting to expose myself to that torture for nothing again. Oh wait, not for nothing—no—it did give you peace of mind after all and a sense of false hope. Surely that was worth all my suffering."

He said nothing as I finished. He simply stood wide-eyed and frozen in front of me. I turned on my heel and left his room without another word. I found Alice downstairs. She took one look at me and instantly came to my side.

"Will you take me home please? I need to be alone right now."

"Of course. Let's go."

We didn't talk on the drive to my house though I caught her throwing curious glances my way every so often. I thanked her for the ride and managed to make it to my room before breaking down.

I was exhausted emotionally and physically. I didn't think I could take much more. How could he do this to me? How could he expect me to continue with treatments after watching me go through them with no results? I saw the pain reflected in his eyes as he watched me suffer. Why would be want to see me go through that again? Was he that delusional? Was I being irrational?

I cried myself to sleep that night feeling guilty for the sharp words I had spoken to him. He had stayed away. For the first time in a long time I fell asleep alone, feeling lonelier than I ever thought I could.