Steph Meyer and the Passions people own all.. Lucky bastards.
2
epov
The sun is rising and I'm still standing here at the pier. Watching Bella walk away from me hurt. I couldn't control the tears that followed for over an hour.
My relationship with Bella was beautiful. I had never been so happy in my life. Everything was beautiful with Bella in my life.
I remember watching Bella walk down the aisle. Her father, Charlie, beamed down at her while she just stared at me. Smiling. One single tear fell from her eye.
I had never seen anything more beautiful in my life. Her beaded, white gown accentuated her curves but was very modest. Her long, brown hair cascaded down her back in wide curls. And her signature blush graced her porcelein cheeks.
I knew right then that I was the luckiest man on the planet. No one will ever be as happy as me. I was going to spend every single day for the rest of my life with an angel. And I was going to do all I could to make her happy.
Then, Tanya, a family friend, stormed into the church with the latest tabloid. I'm not Carlisle Cullen's biological son. The tabloid revealed that my Bella, my angel, was the one who sold the story.
I had never felt so much pain in my life.
The woman that I loved more than anything, including myself, betrayed me. I walked out of the church with Bella hot on my heels, begging and pleading. I was so sick to my stomach, I didn't even want to turn around. I didn't want to face her.
Then, Tanya appeared. She started screaming at Bella. Calling her names, telling her she was worthless. The whole time all I could think was you 'Don't call an angel names. An angel isn't worthless.' But I kept my mouth shut. I could barely process anything.
The father I had known my whole life wasn't really my father. My future, my trust fund, meaning my future practice, was all in jeopardy. Because of Bella.
Then, I heard the sickening sound of bone hitting bone. Bella punched Tanya. I stood there in shock. Bella detests violence. I had never seen her fight before. Not even talk back when people talk shit. Do I really know Bella like I thought I did?
While I was standing there thinking, Bella was going to town on Tanya's face. Screaming that Tanya ruined her life. Ruined mine. That she knew that she was the one who revealed my true paternity. That she was going to pay.
I was just frozen.
Eventually, Emmett came running up and pulled Bella off of Tanya. It was obvious that Bella beat Tanya's ass pretty good. And I've never seen her fight. Sure, with a father that's a police chief and an older brother that's a cop, she would know some moves. But, at this level? Tanya was basically pummeled. Do I know the real Bella?
Everyone started to speak at me at one time. Tanya screeching, Emmett yelling, and Bella, my Bella, was crying and pleading with me. And I just stood there and stared.
Then my mother, Esme, the woman who had lied to me my whole life stormed up to Bella and punched her.
Esme, short with carmel colored hair. With my green eyes. Such a loving mother. Lied to me. I just stared at her.
Luckily, Bella didn't hit Esme. The Bella I knew would never rise her fist to Esme. No matter what. Esme just stood there screaming at Bella while Emmett tried to get her to shut up. I looked over and Tanya approached me.
Her face had multiple cuts and several bruises starting to form. She started to hug me and I clung to her. I needed someone. My whole world had just been turned upside down.
Ever since that day, Tanya had always been there for me. Bella begged and pled with me for the following 3 years. She tried to get me to listen to her up until the day I married Tanya. And I hadn't seen her since.
When I walked into Antonio's last night, I was in a foul mood. Always am on that day. I can't help but want to mope while Tanya is always all smiles. I was pouting walking into the bar. I didn't want to be out "celebrating."
Then I saw her.
Her back was to me, engulfed in Emmett's large embrace. I would recognize that head of hair anywhere. Bella sat down next to Rosalie with her back to me while Emmett stood there openly glaring at me.
Once Tanya saw Bella, all hell broke loose.
When Rosalie attacked my wife, I was honestly scared for her. Rosalie can fight with the best, she could even take me. Emmett elbowed me out of his way, hard by the way, and managed to get his wife off of mine.
Then Tanya attacked Bella.
Tanya tried to take her, she even had the advantage of making Bella land on the table, breaking it. But she didn't stand a chance. Bella threw a punch like a pro and managed to roll on top of Tanya. And then she started really hitting into Tanya. Hard.
"You ruined me, Tanya! You ruined him!" She just kept screaming it over and over. I finally defrosted and pulled Bella off of Tanya.
The all too familiar electricity shot through my hands. Electricity I haven't felt in years. I never wanted to let go. Bella, strangely calm by the way, told me to let go of her. And I did, against my best wishes.
I helped Tanya up and began to asses the damage. Bella obviously broke her nose. Both eyes will be black. Her cheek bone as well.
Tanya started screaming at Rosalie and Emmett while they stood there and screamed back. I was stuck in the middle, trying to get everyone to shut up.
Then Rosalie turned to Emmett.
"Em, where's Bella?"
We all turned around and she was gone. No where in sight. Rosalie ran off to the ladies room, only to come back empty handed. Emmett looked worried. He ran out of the bar with Rosalie on his heels.
As much as I wanted to go looking for Bella, I couldn't. I had to take care of my wife. I ran Tanya to the hospital, telling her she couldn't press charges because she was the one who attacked Bella. Bella had a cop as a witness. She would only get herself in trouble. She did in fact have a broken nose, which they took care of right away.
They gave her some pain killers that knocked her out. I carried her into bed then walked back into our living room. I needed a drink.
After my 2nd scotch someone was going to town on my front door. I opened it up and there stood Emmett. And he was scared. Really fucking scared. I knew right away. Bella.
He pushed me back and marched into my living room. He paced back and forth for a minute. Then he turned to me. He was pissed. He marched forward, punched me in the gut, then demanded to know where she would go.
I had to see her. I don't know why. I married someone else. I'm happy. But I just had to. I sent Emmett to an old hole in the wall coffee shop we went to almost everyday. I knew where she really was. She was on our pier.
My heart was breaking every second we stood on our pier. I started to second guess my wife. Would Bella really be like this if she had betrayed me? Then I read her eyes. She was in so much pain. 5 years later and she still hurts like it was yesterday. I wanted to curl up into a little ball and die.
Tears openly flowed from her eyes and all I could do was stand there. I'm a man of morals, I 'm married. I won't betray my wife. I made my vows to Tanya before God, and I can't erase that.
And then she shattered me.
"You've broken me, Edward. And I'll never recover. And all I ever did was love you. I gave myself over completely and now I'm stuck. When you left, you took a part of me with you. We belong together, Edward. Body and soul. You know it, and I know it. But we're never going to be together. And my heart is broken. Forever."
That will haunt me for the rest of my life.
I never really did get over Bella. After some time, I hoped Tanya could fill the void. She never did.
Bella has been in my thoughts everyday for the last five years. Six if you want to be technical. When times got rough, and I couldn't get Bella out of my mind, I would come to this spot. Our spot. Where we met, where we promised each other forever. Where I fell in love with her.
I'm certain I've loved her from the first day I met her. She's been it for me ever since that day. And to this day, I still can't move on.
Tanya will always play second fiddle to Bella in my heart. It's not fair to her, she's my wife. She deserves to be loved to the fullest. I will make it my mission to treat Tanya as if she is number one. She will never know who really fills my heart. Fills my soul. It would break her.
At this point, I'm exhausted. But I can't call off work. I have a really important lunch meeting today. There's no possible way to reschedule.
When Carlisle found out I wasn't really his son, he took away my trust fund. I couldn't open my own practice like I had planned without it. So now I work for Smith & Associates, a top firm respresenting the biggest businesses in Seattle.
Not my dream, but it pays the bills. It affords Tanya's lifestyle.
Mechanically, I drive back home and get ready for work. Tanya is still laying in the same position I left her in last night. Her eyes are swollen and bruised. Her nose is swollen, and has bruised across the bridge and under her eyes. Her long, strawberry blonde hair is becoming a rats nest.
Tanya Denali-Cullen isn't the put together woman people see her as until after 8 am, 3 cups of coffee, and 4 pounds of make up.
Lord knows how bad her reaction will be when she wakes up. I sneak out of the bedroom and drive into the office.
I just want to crawl into bed and sleep for the next 3 days. My mood hasn't improved and I'm utterly exhausted. I get the file out for my meeting today. Harmony Publishing is being sued by one of their authors. It seems one of the editors sold the story to another publishing company without the author's consent.
Sigh.
I prepare for my lunch meeting. I do my best to keep Bella from my mind. But in reality, she's all I can think about. My Bella, my beautiful Bella. Our future, our plans. And here I am dealing with corporate America, a sell out. Something I never wanted to be. I went to law school to make a difference in the world.
I drive my prized silver volvo over to La Bella Italia for my lunch meeting. I put my car in park and sqeeze my eyes shut. I took Bella here for our first date. She ordered the mushroom ravioli and looked gorgeous in a pair of fitting jeans and a silk blue blouse.
Inhale. Exhale.
Pushing the memories aside, I walk into the restaurant. The hostess takes me to meet the owners and an executive editor who is in charge of the employee that caused the suit. I'm looking at the ground, refusing to look at our table. The hostess comes to a stop in front of me and I look up.
Bella.
Standing there in a black designer pants-suit, with a blue, a fucking blue, blouse is my Bella. Looking just as shocked to see me.
Introductions are made, we all shake hands. I shake the electricity out of my hand after shaking Bella's hand. I sit down and order a water. I would kill for a scotch right about now. A whole bottle of wine would do the trick as well.
After we order our meals, where Bella orders a salad instead of her favorite meal, our meeting begins.
"Well Mr. Cullen, I'm going to be honest with you. We have no idea how the hell this happened. Bella, his executive editor, has all the files from the book. He turned it in on schedule, did all of his work. We submitted it to printing, and then a lawsuit lands on my desk." Says one of the owners of Harmony Publishing, Julian Crane.
"Ms. Swan, may I please see the file?"
She nods but avoids eye contact with me as she hands it across the table. She's been silent ever since she saw me, her boss introduced her. Saving her glorious breath.
I look through the file. I recognize Bella's handwriting scrawled across all of the documents. It brings me back to all the little love notes I would wake up to when we were in college.
Inhale. Exhale.
"Ms. Swan, do you by chance have a file of all his other work? Past indiscretions? Anything like that?"
Please look at me, Bella. Please look at me. Let me see your eyes. Let me get lost into those brown depths. Let me know how you feel.
She nods once and hands it over to me. Still avoiding eye contact.
"Bella, are you feeling okay? You've been awfully quiet all day." Asks the other owner, Sam Bennett.
She looks over at him, but still avoids eye contact.
"I'm fine, Mr. Bennett. Thank you."
He nods but still looks at her suspiciously. I take my chance to study her. She looks tired but still as beautiful as ever. Half of her hair is pinned behind her head. Her bangs sweep across her face, bringing out her beautiful, brown eyes. The blue blouse looks gorgeous against her skin. And I'm a man in love once again.
I inhale deep to make my voice strong. Stronger than I feel.
"Ms. Swan, has this employee ever done anything like this before?"
It would be rude of her not to speak to me now. She doesn't want to speak to me, she's made it obvious. But I just want to hear the musical bells in her beautiful voice. I want to hear my angel speak.
"No, Mr. Cullen. Jacob Black has been under my supervision for the last year and a half and I haven't had any real problems with him before. He has a reputation at the office. People don't seem to trust him. We're finding out why now."
I wanted to close my eyes and swim in the sensations I felt when I heard her voice. But this is a business meeting, we're professionals, so I must act professional.
I go to ask her another question when she looks directly at me. And once again my heart is broken. I see traces of concern for me mixed with pain and misery. I'm sure I look like utter shit. She can probably tell I haven't slept. That I'm miserable.
Inhale. Exhale.
"Ms. Swan, to prevent further troubles from coming your way reguarding this case, I need to know exactly how it is you supervise your employees, what you do, how you do it. Etcetera, etcetera. Mr. Black will be handling the brunt of this. But as his supervisor, this will come your way as well. I need to be able to protect you."
She squeezes her eyes shut as I tell her I need to be able to protect her. It was slightly unprofessional to say such a thing, but I'll be damned if this suit hurts her in any way, shape, or form.
"Mr. Cullen, perhaps you can meet with her after our meeting today. I really don't mean to be rude, but I have a very busy schedule ahead of me today."
"Of course, Mr. Crane, I understand perfectly."
The meeting continues on with me questioning Mr. Crane and Mr. Bennett. Bella seems to be paying attention but I can tell her mind is wandering. Whenever she slouches to the left and starts blinking slowly like she is now, she's lost in thought.
The meeting is wrapping up, we're all shaking hands then it's Bella's turn.
"Ms. Swan, when would you like to schedule this meeting? Are you free now or do you need it to be sometime next week?"
She turns her head to see the owners walking out of ear shot and out of the building.
"Edward, is this really necessary?"
Her voice is so laced with pain, it's enough to strike me dead.
"Bella, if we don't do this, they're going to butcher you in court. Not that you can't defend yourself, but you will be getting the brunt of it and I won't be able to do my job and help you if we don't talk."
She nods once.
"Fine. Today is fine. You can follow me back to my office."
"Okay, Bella."
Without another word, she grabs her purse and walks out of the restaurant with me hot on her heels. She pulls her keys from her purse and hits the unlock button. The lights to a black mercedes light up. Well, at least she finally developed some taste in cars. Though this car is screaming Rosalie.
I walk ahead of her and open the driver's door for her.
"Thank you." She whispers.
I nod once but she doesn't see me because she is squeezing her eyes shut. Something she does to fight off pain, memories. She used to do it whenever someone brought up her parent's divorce. It was always a sensitive topic for both her and Emmett.
I stride over to my volvo and pull up behind her and we head off to her office. It's just my luck that this case involves Bella. After the emotional roller coaster that was yesterday, of course I have to deal with her today.
I love having the chance to see Bella. And I hate myself for it. I'll be in communication with her often for the following months, possibly the next year because of this case.
It's bad enough she's always in my thoughts when I don't see her. How bad is it going to be when I do see her? When I do speak to her?
How the hell can I put her out of my heart with her here?
We pull into a parking garage and I park my car next to hers. She keeps silent as she strides over to the elevator. We get in and she pushes the button for the 47th floor in a 50 story building. She's done well for herself in my absence.
After an awkward silence in the elevator we arrive on her floor. Bella strides down the hall like she owns the place. All the employees freeze when they see her. What the hell?
"Welcome back, Ms. Swan. Mr. Whitlock called and left a message for you to call him immediately. He said you weren't answering your cell phone."
She still talks to Jasper? He didn't tell me that. He hasn't said anything about her in years. Nor has Alice.
Bella nods once but doesn't look at her secretary. She opens her office door for me then slams it shut behind me.
Her office is large and immaculate. She has a large mahogany desk in the center and a wall that is all windows with a beautiful view of Seattle.
"Mind if I call Jasper back real quick?"
I look back at her and she's looking down.
"Go ahead, Bella."
She nods once and I walk over to look at the view to give her a sense of privacy. It would be weird if I just sat there and stared at her while she spoke to my brother in law.
Jasper was an old friend of Bella's and Emmett's. They all grew up together. Bella introduced them not long after we met. They were inseperable after that day. They eloped 3 months before I married Tanya.
"Jasper, what's up?"
Silence while she listens.
"Bar hopping? Why?"
She sounded surprised with the idea of bar hopping.
"But Jasper, I don't really think that's a good idea."
Silence.
"I can't really.."
Apparently, Jasper interrupted her.
"Look Jasper, Edward is here right now. Let me get through this meeting and I'll leave for the day and call you back, okay?"
Silence.
"Yes, Jasper. Edward Cullen."
"Because he's the attorney handling the Jacob Black case."
I sounds like he's yelling at her. I'm about 6 or 7 feet away from her and I can hear him.
"Jasper, calm the fuck down. I' m a big girl, and I can handle a damn meeting. What is it with you and Emmett thinking I'm a fucking child these days? You know what, don't answer that. I'll call you when I leave the office."
Silence.
"Jasper, seriously. If I don't have this meeting Edward says I will be grilled in court and he won't be prepared to handle it. Makes perfect sense. Be a good little boy and get back to work and I'll call you later."
"I love you, too Jazz. Bye."
She hangs up and exhales loudly.
"Sorry about that, I didn't think he would flip out. He's still just as protective of me as he was six years ago when he met you."
I have to laugh as I remember that day.
Bella introduced us. Jasper did the man nod then punched me in the gut. I looked up at him in shock but didn't punch him back.
Of course, Bella freaked out and made sure I was ok. I grabbed a hold of Bella and calmed her down before she had an aneurism. After that he approved. I put Bella first and that's all he needed to see.
He's been one of my best friends ever since. Though it's been slightly strained since Bella and I split.
"Well, I'm glad he's still protective of you. Though after last night, I'm not so sure how much protection you need."
Bella looks up at me and looks sad.
"Edward.. Don't."
I nod once and take a seat in front of her desk. I look up to see Bella smirking. I raise my eyebrows in question.
"For the record, I'm not sorry I beat her ass."
It's wrong of me since she is talking about my wife, but I can't hold back the chuckle. This is the Bella I know and love. This is my Bella. And her snarky ass attitude.
"So, Bella, it seems you have done rather well for yourself. Though the rest of the office looks scared to death of you. Did you murder someone in front of them or something?"
She rolls her eyes.
"I don't get it. I came here right after.. right after what happened so I haven't exactly been approachable from the beginning. Nothing has officially happened, but I haven't exactly made myself open for conversation. And apparently, since I avoid I eye contact I think they're too beneath me."
She looks down at her hands, embarrassed. She probably didn't mean to say all that.
"Bella, why don't you make eye contact?"
She looks up at me in surprise.
"You know why."
I nod once. Because of me. She's hiding her pain in the only way she knows how.
"Ms. Swan, Mr. Whitlock is on line one."
She sighs deeply.
"What Jasper?"
"Why the hell did you call Emmett? Are you fucking stupid?"
She sighs. Big brother is probably on his way then. Big brother hates me. He's delivered several ass kickings to my door since Bella and I split.
"Jasper you fucking idiot call him back!"
"Because he'll kick Edward's ass just for being in my presence and it's not even his choice! I'm sure he has a lot of better things to do than sit around with his ex fiance discussing a stupid ass court case!"
That makes me sad. She knows I love her. She said it herself last night. How could she think I have better things to do?
"Jasper fucking Whitlock I sware to God if you don't call him back you're going to be swallowing your balls tonight! The two of you need to grow the fuck up and get out of my fucking business. If I want you or him to beat someone's ass I'll let you know, but until then stop deciding for me! Edward has been nothing but professional so let me get this fucking meeting over with so I can go fucking home!"
She's breathing heavy from her outburst. I'm just sitting here trying to hide how scared I actually am. Bella is apparently a force to be reckoned with. I can deal with Emmett and Jasper, but Bella is scary.
"What did he tell you about last night?"
She says it in a really sad voice. And once again she squeezes her eyes shut to fight the memory away.
"I didn't run away. I just wanted to get out of there, get some air. You know, think."
She drops her forehead into her hand and starts breathing deeply.
"Jazz, call him back, please. I've had all the drama I can deal with now. The last thing I need is Emmett kicking Edward's ass in my office. After this case with Jacob Black, I'm already in trouble as it is."
"But, Jazz..."
Her voice faltered. I can't bear to see her in so much pain. I grab the phone from her hand.
"Jasper, it's Edward. On any other day I would welcome Emmett kicking my ass, but for Bella's sake call him back."
"Edward? Why the hell are you there?"
Well, damn. He's pissed at me.
"She told you. The case. I'm not going to let her get reamed in court."
He sighs.
"Edward, do you have any idea what your presence is doing to her? Of course we want to protect her from that. And you're a man, you understand. That means kicking your ass. I'll call Emmett but only because it will make things worse for Bella. Get your information and get the fuck out of her office."
I sigh.
"Jasper, dude. I get it, alright? I'll make things better."
"How the fuck are you going to make things better? You've got a wife at home, Edward! A fucking wife! A wife who we all know sold the information! But you won't fucking leave her for Bella. Unless you get proof, of course. How the fuck are we supposed to come up with some proof?
She's not Bella anymore because of you. This girl is fragile and detached. The Bella that you knew that was so full of life? She's gone, Edward. She's been gone since the day you said 'I do' to that whore! So do what I said. Get your information and get the fuck out of her office."
He hung up.
Wow.
I hang up the phone and study Bella. She's laying her head in her arms on her desk. She's taking deep breaths to calm herself down. I can't see her face so I don't know if she's mad or if she's sad.
But I can't handle her dealing with either emotion.
"Bella?"
She sighs and sits up but avoids eye contact. Her voice is low, defeated.
"Is he calling Emmett?"
I nod but she doesn't even look at me.
"Yeah, he's calling Emmett. What did you mean you're 'in trouble as it is'?
She sighs and finally looks at me.
"Jacob Black was under my supervision. He was my responsibility. Simple as that."
I can't fight the surge of anger that flows through me.
"Bullshit, Bella. How the fuck were you supposed to know that Black was going to sell that book? Are you supposed to follow all of your employees around every second of the day?"
She shakes her head.
"No, but like I said my responsibility. There's no way I could have prevented this, but it's still my fault. Bennett and Crane are just going to keep a closer eye on my team and I. If I fuck up, I'm probably toast. That's how they made it sound when they called me to their office this morning. But I'll deal with that if it happens."
I want to punch something. I'm even looking around for something I won't break. Then I look back to Bella and I see a tear fall from her eye. I rush over to her and cradle her face in my hands.
"This was NOT your fault. I know you, Bella. I know you wouldn't let something like this happen. Just by knowing you I know you're good at your job."
Tears stream from her eyes. I can see how scared she is, how she blames herself. Knowing her, she just took all her bosses said to her to heart.
"Look how successful you are. Five years here and you're already an executive editor. I knew you were going places, Bella. With all of your passion and determination I knew without a doubt in my mind that you would be here someday. Shit happens, Bella. But it's NOT your fault. There wasn't a damn thing you could do and you know it!"
Then I kiss her. Hard. Then I keep kissing her.
And I'm finally complete.
Five years of tears and sadness. Five years of heartbreak. Five years of missing her. All of it comes bubbling out in this kiss.
But it's wrong and I'm married. I made a vow before God. As right as this feels, it's wrong.
I break the kiss and put about five feet of space between us.
"I'm sorry, Bella. That was out of line. I'm married. I can't do that."
She sniffles then walks over to me. She grabs my face and makes me look into her eyes. She felt whole again. That kiss brought the real Bella back.
"Edward, you felt it, too. Don't deny it to me. You felt whole again, just like I did. Why would you keep us apart? We should be together. We both know it. I know that you know deep down that I would never betray you. You hurt, I hurt, Edward. We're two halves to the same whole. Follow your heart, Edward. Don't do this to us."
I sigh and step away from her. I want to be with her so bad. She's still everything to me. But I'm married to Tanya. Tanya has been there for me. Always. And I can't help but wonder if Bella really betrayed me.
"I can't end my marriage because you say so. You know that. I won't do that to my wife."
She looks broken but determined.
"Edward, why are you doing this to us? WHY? Everything we always wanted, we could still have! I know you want me! Just like I want you! Time means nothing; five years later we still love each other just as much as we always did. Why would you deny us both the chance to be complete? Why would you deny us both the chance to be happy? To be together?!"
I squeeze my eyes shut, willing the onslaught of tears to go away. She makes perfect sense, of course. And more than anything, I want her. Oh God do I want her. But she fucked me. She ruined me.
"We're not together because of your actions. You know that. Selling that information to the tabloids ruined me, Bella! You know what I wanted to do with my life and look at me now. Breaking my back for fucking corporate America! Because of you!"
Tears of anger start to leak from her eyes. She squares her sholders, ready for a fight.
"Why the fuck would I ever do that to do you? Give me one good fucking reason! Why the hell would I shatter your fucking future on our wedding day? It was our fucking wedding day, Edward!"
She's shaking from tears but all I can do is stand there. Once again, she makes perfect sense.
"Money, Bella. You could have sold that for the money."
My voice is shockingly calm. She stands there looking at me in shock.
"How the hell would that ever make any sense? I was marrying a Cullen for crying out loud! This is going to make me sound like a gold digger, but I was about to be swimming in fucking money. You know money has never mattered to me. I hated when you paid my way into the movies! Bought me presents! Why would I ever do something so horrible for money?"
I shrug. She has a point. She would always get mad when I spent money on her. Even for a $7 movie. I always found it cute when she would get all mad at me. It's not like I didn't have the money. I could have bought a country if I wanted to, what's a $7 movie? I wanted to spend money on her. I thought that if anyone deserved to be showered with gifts, it was her.
"Bella, this is getting us nowhere. I've told you before and I'll tell you now. Prove it."
I feel so cruel. I see her heart breaking all over again. I'm watching it happen once again. What kind of asshole am I? Even if she did betray me, she doesn't deserved to be kicked while she's down over and over again.
"Edward, I love you. I always have and I always will. But I can't discuss the law suit right now. So if you're not going to listen to me then please leave. Just.. just leave me alone."
She looks down and I can see tears falling to the ground. Each tear brings me one step closer to jumping off of a building. I rub my face in my hands and I can feel the wetness on my cheeks. I guess I've been crying, too.
"Bella, I don't want to leave you. I don't like seeing you like this."
She looks up and she looks angry again.
"Why do you care? You have you're perfect wife, with your perfect marriage! I have nothing because of you! I don't even have myself anymore! But you have it all!"
Then she breaks down. Just loses it. She falls into a little ball on the floor crying to the point of barely breathing.
I fall to my knees beside her. I can feel the tears falling from my eyes. Guilt. Pain. That's all I feel.
I reach my hand out slowly, and rub her shoulder. I'm about to swoop down and pick her up when she jumps up, still crying.
"Leave! Just leave me alone!"
We're both still on the floor and I just want to grab her. Hold her. Shield her from this pain.
"I said leave!"
Slowly, I stand up. I refuse to take my eyes off of her. I take a few steps back and reach my hand behind me to grab the door handle.
Can I leave her like this?
"GO!"
And she falls into a little ball again. My body is shaking with sobs. Right now I'm the worst thing for her. I open the door and walk backwards out of it. I close the door quietly and wipe my face before I turn around.
I don't know how thin her walls are, I don't know how much of that her team heard. But I can feel all eyes on me.
I turn around avoiding eye contact with everyone. My body is still shaking, but I'm fighting the sobs. I'll cry when I'm alone.
I step into the elevator and the door shuts, leaving me alone. I hit the G button to get to the garage then slide down to the floor and let it out. All of my pain. All of my tears.
The elevator comes to a stop, I hear the door open. I can smell the parking garage. But I can't bring myself to stop. I can't bring myself to look up.
Then I hear a familiar voice.
"Jesus Christ."
I look up. Emmett.
I just shake my head no then bury my face in my hands. He steps into the doorway to keep the door open and just watches me. In shock I'm sure. I just sit here for a good 10-15 minutes just letting it out. I don't care who sees me. I don't care Emmett is just standing there watching me. I just don't care.
The tears finally start to subside and I look up at Emmett. The man who used to be one of my best friends. After the wedding, he could barely look at me. But how can you look at the person who broke your sister?
I look him dead in the eye. My voice is raspy and broken.
"Make sure she is ok."
His eyes are wide. I stand up and walk out of the elevator without looking back. I get into my car, leave a message telling Tanya I'm working late, buy a bottle of scotch, and head to our pier.
Edward's point of view people! Let me know what ya thought!