Title: Your Kisses Were Punishment.
Chapter Three: With Hopes of Damage Control.
Rating: M (for adult themes and future lemons)
Category: Romance, Family
Pairing: Edward/Bella
Summary: It was a marriage neither wanted but she stuck by her decision. She worked day in and day out to make it work but his family members made it impossible. Two years passes and when a secret surfaces that she hoped would remain hidden, she finally decides to leave but he wouldn't let her. After living in the background of the illustrious Cullen Family, Isabella must fight for the one thing she desires…FREEDOM.
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Author's Note: Read, review and enjoy. Links to my blog and Facebook page on profile.
THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE OF REVIEWED, FAVED AND STORY ALERTED MY STORY.
The various members of the paparazzi had chosen to camp out at the Cullen Manor when the cars of Eleazar Denali and Jasper Whitlock (the second) pulled in. Something juicy was going down and they intended to be the ones who broke the story.
Esme Cullen was always the perfect hostess no matter what the circumstances were. Today, she directed the house staff to set up a buffet fit for a king in the formal dining room and personally made sure that the favourite alcoholic beverages of the infuriated men were present and chilled.
If she had known that the media would attack the Cullen family and their associates so viciously that she may have taken a different route when it came to dealing with Isabella.
After several minutes, she could hear Carlisle greeting their two visitors. Quickly, she ordered the staff out of the room except for the two unfortunate girls she had chosen to be on hand should they need anything.
"Esme, always a pleasure." She accepted a kiss from Eleazar on the cheek.
"Mr Denali. Mr Whitlock." She embraced each man gently and warmly. "We're all in the dining room." She said as she tucked herself into Carlisle's side.
"Excellent!" Jasper Senior exclaimed as he offered Esme his arm; chuckling softly as Carlisle shoved his wife in his direction.
Within minutes, the group were seated amongst the Cullen children and their spouse. Jasper Senior made sure to pull his son into a hug and ensure that he was alright to deal with this before taking a seat next to his daughter-in-law.
"I guess I should start with the most obvious thing." Eleazar cleared his throat, knowing very well that his sisters-in-law undoubtedly played a very big part in this whole mess. "Where is Isabella?" He asked after he took a sip of whatever alcoholic beverage he had just been handed.
"Missing." Edward's broke voice carried over the table drawing everyone's attention to him.
Esme found herself wincing as she took in her son's appearance. She knew he had not slept for the last two days. All he did was drink and stare at the picture of Isabella and his children. Emmett had taken it upon himself to visit his brother this morning and threw him in the shower in an attempt to eliminate the stench that Edward was emitting. He had also forced his older brother to have a meal but after a few bites, Edward could not eat any more.
"Missing?" Eleazar gulped as his throat tightened uncomfortably. "What?"
"Mr Black dropped Isabella off at the airport hours before the miscarriage story broke. We haven't been able to find her since." Carlisle said calmly with his fingers steepled in front of him as Edward barked at one of the frightened girls standing at the back of the room to refill his drink.
"Someone must be helping her then." Eleazar pointed out.
"Don't you think we know that?" Edward scoffed.
"Who do you think it is?" Jasper Senior asked when he saw his son shift uncomfortably in his seat.
"No clue." Carlisle sighed, his eye flicking to Jasper who seemed close to cracking or at least that was what he thought.
"We need to find her." Rosalie said softly, a shadow of herself.
"Why do you care?" Emmett scoffed.
"Emmett!" Rosalie shrieked in outrage. "She lost her babies. She needs her family."
"And what a family this is! Her husband was in the middle of a very public affair. He made it very clear that he didn't give a shit about her so why would she turn to the man who had thrown her away so carelessly." Jasper blurted out as his control spilled away.
"We need to do something about the press, Carlisle." Jasper Senior threw in as his son's hand clenched dangerously around his glass.
"I agree. I have been accepting floral arrangements since this story broke. Also, another story is in the works. Word got out that Isabella has left the house. We need to get a hold of this fast." Eleazar added.
"I'll make a statement." Edward said as he wobbled to his feet.
"Sit down, you drunk." Jasper snarled as he yanked Edward back down onto his seat.
"She's my wife." Edward roared, throwing his glass across the room.
"Not for long." Jasper whispered, his eyes conveying the hate he felt for his brother-in-law.
"Jasper." Carlisle called softly pulling Jasper's attention back to him. "You'll handle them." He calmly nodded in the direction of the gates.
"Give me thirty minutes." Jasper stated bluntly as he walked out the room.
Fifty minutes later, the members of the press sat in one of the many grand rooms of the Cullen Manor waiting for a statement. They all buzzed with excitement waiting for whatever juicy detail they were just moments away from hearing.
Suddenly, the doors opened at the front of the room and in walked Jasper Whitlock (the third) and the room fell silent. Out of all the men that stood as the core of the Cullen Corporation, Jasper Whitlock (the third) was deadly. Standing by himself, he was wealthier than even Carlisle Cullen himself. Everyone knew he stood by the Cullen Family only because of his wife. He was also more ruthless and cutthroat than any man involved in the world of business.
"Good day, members of the press." Jasper drawled out in his signature Texan accent. "My statement, on behalf of Edward and Isabella Cullen, will be brief and no questions will be entertained. As it was made known recently, Isabella Cullen suffered a miscarriage during her fourth month of her pregnancy. Understandably, Isabella and Edward were devastated and were still coming to terms with the loss of their children when this story broken. In an attempt to protect his wife from the stories that would surface, Isabella Cullen has gone to one of the Cullen's vacation houses. We ask that you respect the family in this time of sorrow. Thank you." As he ended his statement, the room burst into motion as everyone hurried to get the story to their various media houses but before Jasper could leave the room, a nosy report shut out of his seat and blurted out a question.
"Is it true that Edward Cullen forced the beautiful Isabella to have an abortion when he showed his intent to end the marriage?"
The room immediately was plunged into silence as Jasper rounded on the smug looking reporter.
"What did you not understand when I said that questions will not be entertained?" Jasper spoke softly in a deadly voice. "It will not take much from me to have you fired. Get the hell out of here before I take more than just your job." He spat at the man before storming out of the room.
Slamming the door behind him, Jasper was shocked to see Edward waiting on him.
"Answer me this, Jasper." Edward slurred. "Why are you protecting Isabella so?"
"Because she deserves it." Jasper shot back at Edward.
"You should leave her alone. I'll take care of her." Edward murmured as he took another swing of his glass of scotch.
"You can't take care of yourself." Jasper sneered at the drunken man as he ripped the glass away from him.
"I love her. Do you think she still loves me?" He slurred.
"Not if I have anything to stay about it." Jasper murmured, fixing a drink for himself.
"What did you just say?" Edward slurred, grabbing onto Jasper's jacket.
"What the fuck!" Jasper exclaimed as his whiskey spilled onto his sleeve.
"Do you know where she is? Do you know where my wife is?" Edward roared, pushing Jasper into the wall.
With swift procession, Jasper punched Edward in the stomach forcing the man to double over and quickly pinned him onto the floor.
"You fool!" Jasper roared. "She was the best thing that could have ever happened to you and you played her for a fool. She loved you so much. She carried your children in her womb and your stupid mistress pushed her to the point where she could not carry the pregnancy to term. You say you love her but how can a selfish man like you know anything about love?" Jasper shoved Edward's head into the ground.
"You know where she is!" Edward exclaimed. "Tell me." Edward struggled against Jasper's hold.
"Edward Anthony Cullen," Jasper sneered, "I do know where she is. I'm the one hiding her and I will take my last breath before I tell you where she is. You're pathetic and I will bring heaven and hell down before I watch her take you back. Be prepared for a fight, Edward because I have had enough of the Cullen offspring destroying people simply because they can."
"What about Alice? You are married to my sister. She could take you for every penny." Edward smirked as Jasper stood up and finally allowed Edward to sit up on the floor.
"No she can't. Ask who James is." Jasper chuckled darkly. "Come after me Edward. I beg you. Lord knows the only reason I haven't destroyed you yet is because I respect your parents but if you come at me, I will have so much fun destroying you. Now," Jasper stated as he fixed his jacket, "if you will excuse me. I have a date with a beautiful brunette."
Minutes later, Edward heard the very distinct blades of the Whitlock helicopter whirling as it took off and all he could think was how the hell he could compete with the power house that was Jasper Whitlock the third.