As the last chapter left on a bit of a cliffie I decided to hurry this one up a bit!

This chapter comes with a bit of a warning... There is attempted rape and harm at the end of the chapter.

Thanks to all the readers of this story!

Thanks Mi, you lovely lady!

Twilight isn't mine.

"Edward?"

I look up into his beautiful face, the face that I didn't think I'd see again. I voice myself as all logic and reason left the building the moment I looked into those green eyes.

"I thought I'd never see you again." It comes out all muffled as I speak against his hand, which is still pressed against my lips.

He moves his hand away and it goes to his head, his fingers rake through his soft, messy hair. I resist the urge to bury my fingers in there too, they twitch but I keep them still. His other hand is still grasping onto my waist, the warmth spreads through my skin and it seeps into my veins. He looks a little confused and a cheeky smile plays on his lips.

"We do work in the same building, Bella." He laughs and it sounds nervous, like jangling keys.

I want nothing more than to wrap my arms around him and bury my face into his chest. I want to smell his scent and feel his warmth surround me. Instead I look down at my shoes and try to gather my thoughts, thankfully he stays silent.

"Edward, I want something that you can't give me." I chance a glance up at his face. I have spun this story in my head so many times, in so many different combinations and it still ends in the same way. I push away from him gently, his hand falls limply to his side.

"I've given you more than I've ever given, anyone." His eyes flicker with many emotions but I can only pick out the trace of anger.

I need to end this for both of us, Edward doesn't want a relationship and he certainly doesn't see any kind of future with me. I want a future, I love him already and I know that it's very quick but it's also overpowering. I hate the thought of life without him but I can't go through this after everytime I see him because I know that I'll worry that it will be the last time. It's obviously the way he is and I can't change him.

If he wants me like I want him, he won't let me walk away.

"You left. You said goodbye, after." I can't finish, my voice cracks and fresh tears sting at my eyes.

"Isn't that what people say when they leave?" He looks completely and utterly perplexed.

I almost run back into his arms and hold him tightly. I feel like I'm tearing off a limb as I stare at him, trying to commit every line and feature of his perfect face. I have to do this, otherwise he will break me. I'm putting him in a horrible position, I'm expecting too much from him. I feel his fingers on my face, I didn't even realise that he'd moved as I feel him tenderly wipe the tears away from my cheeks.

"Is this what you want?"

"No. I wish." I don't get to finish before he interrupts me.

"That you'd never met me?"

I shake my head.

"I'll never wish that but I have feelings for you and I can't just carry on with our little arrangement with false hope. It will break me."

He steps back, he looks horrified. His eyes are wide as he shakes his head. I see a bead of sweat gather on his forehead.

"No, you can't. Fuck! I should've known this would happen. Shit. When Jess said that you liked me, I didn't think she meant that." His large hands scrub at his face. He sighs.

"I can't give you anymore than what we have or had. I'm not the guy you take home to your parents. I can't do that Bella. I thought you understood that. I'm sorry."

"I knew that from the beginning, you made it very clear. I don't regret anything. I could never regret meeting you or what transpired."

He doesn't look up so I pull my strap back onto my shoulder and turn to the door. I know that if I don't leave now, I never will.

"Goodbye Edward." I don't turn back to him as I open the door and slip out.

I walk into the elevator and out of the building. I don't allow myself to think about what I've just done during the cab ride home.

I lay on my bed in the empty apartment and I let the tears finally stream down my face. The wetness pools by my ears. I've known Edward for a little over three weeks and I've let him burn into my heart so deeply. I realise just how hard I've fallen as I lay there feeling empty. I want to scream and shout, I want him to want me. I want him to want to change. I want him to burst through those doors and scoop me up into his arms. I curl up on my side and fall into an uneasy sleep.

I groan as my alarm screeches into my subconscious. I feel like I've not slept at all, every muscle in my body is reluctant to move. I sit up and my head spins. I can't believe that I ended it. I wish that I could forget about the reasons why I did it, I could've spent more time with him, the cost of that would be too high though.

I get ready for the day, taking my time to make myself look presentable. The apartment door opens and I hear Rose and Emmett. She must've forgotten something for work. I walk through and am met with two stern faces glaring back at me.

Emmett is the first to break the silence.

"You look like hell as well. You both look the same, what the fuck has been going on?" He looks pretty mad.

A new batch of tears start to well up and I watch as Rose punches Emmett on the arm. Edward is unhappy? That's all I can take from what he's just said as I stare at him. Why is he unhappy? A spark of hope flashes inside me and I feel it unfurl in my tummy. Rose cuts through my little moment as I hear her snap at Emmett.

"Can't you see she's hurting?"

"From what you said, it's been going on since Sunday night. I want to know how much I have to fuck up his pretty face. Fucker needs to grow the fuck up."

"No!" I shout loudly and Emmett stops and spins back to face me, he blinks as he stares at me. I carry on, speaking quieter.

"This isn't Edward's fault. He's not done anything wrong. Don't hurt him."

"He looks like you do, whatever happened between you both is your business but Bella, honey. We should talk."

I nod at Rose's sweet words and eye Emmett warily.

"Don't hurt him. Please."

He nods.

"I'd never really hurt him. Fuck, I love that jerk like he's a brother, a stupid, idiotic brother. He just can't see what's right in front of him Bella. Give him time."

I smile in thanks, I appreciate what he's said. I just don't think time will change him. It will heal my heart though. I'm glad I ended this, it would've been worse if I'd have carried on in this.

I leave Emmett and Rose behind and head to work, determined to carry on as normal.

I trudge to my desk, I sigh at the new stack of papers that litter my normally tidy desk and as I hang my jacket and bag up, I mentally prepare myself for the day. Victoria hardly bothers me for coffee which is pleasant. I do end up taking her a few mugs and she smiles at me, whilst busy or on the phone. I force myself to go and get lunch from the break room and sit at my own table.

I try and keep myself busy and Victoria checks on me before I leave. She looks relaxed and happy, like still waters, as she perches herself on the edge of my desk. We discuss work related topics, until she brings our last conversation up.

"I hope you've been finding time to have some fun and forgetting about boys?"

I nod and smile as she winks at me.

"Good. we are far too busy to be worrying about stuff like that! Mr Masen will be coming back in next week so we have to keep this ship afloat."

That night I find my cell on the kitchen side with a note from Rose telling me that Edward had asked her to give me it back. I put it on charge as the battery is completely dead. It springs to life with alerts to messages, both voice and text. I don't check them, I'm too scared at what I might find. I need to stay strong. What will be, will be.

The rest of the week slowly ticks by like a slow assed clock. Those three days feel more like three years as I plaster on a smile and try to appear normal. Victoria even starts to get her own coffee and by Friday she brings me back a coffee too.

I have to take the days mail to the mail room as I leave for the week. Demitri is there and we exchange pleasantries and small talk like we have all week. Before I leave he stops me.

"I hope you don't think I'm prying Bella but this last week you've seemed different, not yourself. I hope you're okay?"

"It's been a tough week but I'll get there." I smile at him.

"Listen, it might seem like I'm being a little forward but I wondered if you'd consider coming out for drinks with me. Just as friends. Tonight"

I watch him carefully, I don't want to lead him on, I have no intention of anything happening.

"I mean it, just friends. It just looks like you could do with a night out. An ear to listen. Whatever you need. There are a few others coming too." His voice is gentle and nervous. He drops his eyes and then peeks back up at me.

"Im really not looking to date at the moment." His eyes lower again.

"But I can do friends." He looks back up with a huge grin on his face. I almost regret

putting the hope there, that shines in his eyes.

"Great, well we're off to Eclipse. So if you want to just wait for me to grab my jacket I can walk with you."

I agree and we walk down to the foyer together. I notice with happiness that Angela is there, she immediately grabs my arm.

"Are you coming too?"

"Yes."

"Amazing! We need to catch up, this week has been hell."

We chat happily as we all walk out of work. There are at least six of us as we all make our way to the bar. I glance back at Demetri and catch him watching me several times. I really hope he doesn't get the wrong idea.

I message Rose to let her know where I'll be. I'm pretty sure she'll be with Em anyway, but just in case.

The bar is really busy and the guys get us girls a drink, another girl called Lauren joins me and Angela at our table. Demetri introduces me to Ben and Tyler and they seem like nice guys. After my first drink I feel myself relax slightly as we all chat and laugh.

I need to use the bathroom after a while and I slip away. When I'm finished and leave the restroom, I hear a familiar voice behind me.

"Hello beautiful Bella." I turn in surprise and see James.

"Hey, James."

"Wow, you remember me, I certainly haven't forgotten you." He smiles and sidles up closer to me.

"I should really go back to my friends." I look back and see Angela watching us with narrowed eyes. She reaches into her bag and takes out her cell. I turn back to face James.

"There's no rush Bella, we should catch up."

I liked James when I met him but I was very drunk at the time. Now, I just feel uncomfortable around him.

"Come on, let's go to my office." I feel his hand clutch at my arm, hard.

"Please let go James." I work to keep my voice steady as he pulls me down the hall.

"Now if I remember correctly, we have some unfinished business. Or are you really a prick tease?"

I try to pull my arm away but he's too strong. Panic starts to build inside me and my heart starts beating furiously as I try to think of a way out of this, I twist my head but I can't see into the bar anymore and there's no one else around.

"Let go of me. Edward was right about you."

He stops dragging me and starts laughing loudly. "Edward. Like he can talk. Did you let him fuck you?"

I stare at him, forgetting, momentarily about trying to get away.

"Oh wow, looks like he's done a number on you. I did wonder if it was going to be different with you. The way he looked at you. I guess I was wrong."

I try and struggle against his grasp again as he pulls me roughly into his body. I bump into him with a thud and his hands start to wander. One of his hands squeezes my boob through my top.

"Bella, I always get what I want, even if I have to take it with force. There's no point in screaming because no one really gives a shit."

I feel his hand roughly grab at me through my pants and I try to kick out and punch at him. He doesn't even flinch during my attempts to maim him.

"You are a feisty little one, I'm going to have fun with you." His eyes twinkle dangerously, before his fist comes towards my face and connects with a sickening crack. My head jerks to the side and red hot pain lances through my face and into my eye socket.

"Get off me. My friends." I splutter, he must've cut me because I feel the thick blood dribble down my cheek. I can smell the coppery scent and it makes my head spin.

He puts his mouth over mine and I try to move my head away but he's too strong. I keep my mouth closed and beat at his chest with my fists. He finally pulls away.

"You are a real piece of shit." I squeeze my eyes shut as I realise that I am truly powerless.

This is the weakest that I've ever felt in my life and I hate it. Tears run down my face as I feel him trying to undo my pants. Thankfully he seems to be struggling, but it's only a matter of time. My face aches and the sting of air against the cut that must be there makes my eyes water even more.

I feel James disappear from infront of me and I start falling to the ground. Someone catches me before I hit the floor.

I open my eyes warily and blink, wondering whether I'm dreaming as I stare into Edward's green eyes. A mixture of fear and rage are evident in them as he carefully lays me down on the floor and turns back to James, who's standing up and brushing himself off.