Chapter Nineteen
BPOV
You know that moment when you feel as if something is wrong but you can't put your finger on what exactly. Yeah, that was what I was feeling just before my cell rang. Edward had left to make it to his meeting nearly an hour ago and for the last 20 minutes I kept having these niggling sensations in my gut telling me something was off. The thing was, with everything that had been going on, I couldn't work out exactly to what this feeling was for so when my cell rang I immediately jumped at the sound and answered it without looking at the display
"Isabella Swan"
"Bella, Bella, Bella, why didn't you come to meet me?"
I froze in my chair. Jake. My mind whirled with thoughts and I debated what to tell him so as not to flare up his temper anymore than it already was
"Jake, I was busy and you didn't give me a lot of notice for the meeting" I replied calmly
"You weren't too busy to see Cullen this afternoon, were you?" he snorted and I stiffened
"Edward arrived just as Tanya was leaving to discuss a case" I said coolly
"Case, my ass! More like he turned up to fuck you! Is that what it was? An afternoon romp session in your office? You bitch! How could you let him touch you! You wouldn't even let me fuck you! We haven't had sex in months!" he bellowed and I cringed
"Jacob, we have been over for nearly four months. Please, why can't you just let me go?" I pleaded
"I warned you Bella. Didn't I warn you that the next person to get hurt would be someone you loved? This is all on you, Babe"
With that he hung up the phone as I sat frozen in my seat, his last words running through my mind on a continuous loop. What did he mean by that? Had he hurt someone I loved? My mom? My dad? Rose? Emmett? Alice? Or worse…Edward? I felt that niggling sensation grow stronger and I quickly dialled Edward's cell. I waited for him to answer but he didn't, it went to voicemail. I ended the call without leaving a message and dialled again, this time the call picked up, but it wasn't Edward's voice that greeted me
"Hello?" the stranger said
"Um…Hello? Who is this?" I answered
"Ma'am, this is Highway Patrolman Ferris, are you related to the person who owns this phone in anyway?" I felt the fear rush my insides completely now
"Highway Patrol? Why…why are you answering my boyfriends phone?" I stammered
"Ma'am, I believe this phone belongs to an Edward Anthony Cullen, is that your boyfriend" my heart stopped the moment he spoke Edward's name
"Yes" I whispered
"I'm sorry ma'am, he was in an accident on Route 1-90, and I was the first responder on the scene. He's been taken to New York Memorial" Patrolman Ferris answered
"Thank you" I replied and hung up the phone
I sat for just a few more seconds as I processed what he had told me and then I shot up from my seat, grabbing my bag and keys as I raced out of the door shouting to Tami to hold all my calls and reschedule all of my appointments for the day on my way to the elevators. I ran out of my office building and hailed a cab. One pulled up on my second attempt and I threw myself into the back and shouted to the cab driver to floor it toward New York Memorial.
When the cab pulled up at the ER entrance I threw a $50 bill onto the front passenger seat and hurtled myself out of the back and in through the doors. I slammed myself up to the front desk
"Edward Cullen…what…room?" I panted breathlessly
The nurse behind the desk looked at me as if to assess if I was going to collapse and then shrugged and turned to her computer. She tapped at a few keys and then turned back to me
"He's in X-ray at the moment, but should be back down in Trauma Room 3 shortly. You can wait in the waiting room by the Trauma rooms" she replied kindly
"Thank you" I whispered
She pressed a button below her desk and the doors to her left opened. I ran through them and followed the signs for the Trauma rooms. I found the waiting room easily and when I stepped in I saw Emmett and Esme already seated. They both looked up when I entered. Esme rose and came towards me and pulled me into her arms. Her motherly touch was too much and my sobs broke through. All the pain and fear I was feeling rushed out of me in the form of my tears. Esme stroked my head and shushed me gently. Finally my cries quietened and she pulled back to smile at me gently, still stroking my hair lovingly
"He'll be ok. Carlisle is with him" she said and I nodded
She led me over to where Emmett was sitting and he wrapped his arms around me, gently cradling me to his broad chest
"Hey Baby girl. How did you find out?" he asked softly
"I called his cell after getting a call from Jacob and the patrolman answered" I replied quietly
Before he could comment further the door opened and Alice, Jasper and Rose rushed into the room. Alice was the first to reach me and she threw her arms around me, hugging me tightly. Jasper hugged me next and then Rose. They all sat down with us and started asking question after question but I couldn't concentrate on the conversation, my mind was miles away, on the words that Jacob had said on the phone. 'This is all on you' he had said and I couldn't help but agree with him. It was my fault that Edward was in hospital. If I had made it to that meeting, Edward would not be here. I had no doubt that what happened to Edward was no accident. After what Jacob had said, he had as good as confirmed to me that this was his doing
"Don't go there, Kitten"
My head snapped up to see Edward standing in front of me. My eyes raked over him, making sure he was really here. He had a butterfly bandage above his left eyebrow and his right wrist was wrapped up in a support brace. I flew from my seat and into his arms as he caught me around my waist with his left arm and my tears leaked free once again
"I'm ok baby, I'm ok" he whispered into my hair over and over
"I'm sorry, Edward, I'm so, so, so sorry" I sobbed into his chest and he tightened his arm around me
"What for, Kitten?"
"This is all my fault, he hurt you and it's all my fault" I cried
Edward pulled away from me and brought up his wrapped hand to my face and stroked my cheek gently with the tips of his fingers, brushing away my tears
"This is in no way your fault, baby. You didn't ram me off the road, that bastard did" he said firmly
I shook my head and pressed myself into him tighter. No matter what he said, I knew. I knew it was my fault. If it wasn't for me, he would not have been broken for eight years; he would not have touched drugs and tried to kill himself. If it wasn't for me, Jacob would have no reason to hurt him. It was my fault and I knew that no one but me could stop Jacob now. The only question was; how would I stop him? What was I willing to do to stop him hurting someone else I loved?
EPOV
The month and a half after my accident flew by with thankfully nothing else from Jacob. My hand was merely sprained so that healed pretty quickly, allowing me to return to work within two weeks even if it was on light duties. The cut above my eye also healed. They had used dissolvable stitches so I didn't need to return to the hospital to have them taken out. As far as accidents go, I was pretty lucky. Aside from the wrist and cut, I had a mild concussion and whiplash which I got physio for, but other than that I was fine.
Bella, however, was not. I knew she blamed herself for my accident and it upset me to see her like that. I was angry when she told me about Jacob's call to her. He actually told her that it was her fault! That was so far beyond ludicrous that it wasn't even funny.
No matter what I said, I knew Bella still blamed herself. I could see it in her eyes whenever she looked at me and I could feel it in her touch. She was being too gentle in her touches and if she could help it all, she wouldn't even touch me. My heart hurt for her. I missed her. I felt like I was losing her and there wasn't a damn thing I could do about it. I had had many discussions with Emmett and Jasper about it and they both said she just needed time, but I knew my Kitten. The last time she came across a situation she couldn't deal with, she ran and I was so scared that she was going to run again. This time, I wouldn't survive it.
It was now seven weeks since the accident and I was meeting Bella for lunch at her office. I made my way in and greeted the receptionist as I headed to the elevators. I had been feeling strange all day and I couldn't understand why so I shrugged and put it down to not having had Bella in my arms last night. She had gone back to her place last night as she said she had an early breakfast meeting this morning.
I stepped out of the elevator on Bella's floor and waved a hello at Tami as I passed as she was on the phone. I had just reached Bella's office door when Tami called out behind me
"She's not in Edward" I turned and looked at Tami in confusion
"I'm supposed to be meeting her here for lunch though. Did she have to go to court?" I asked
"No, she called in early this morning and said she was feeling unwell" Tami answered
I frowned at that. I had texted Bella at around 11pm when I finished my last meeting and she had said she was working and couldn't meet up until 12.30pm. I thanked Tami and left. I caught a cab at the front of Bella's office building and gave the driver Bella's address. Something felt off and I couldn't put my finger on it. I paid the driver and got out outside Bella's building and made my way in. I had a key so I didn't need her to buzz me in so I opened the door and called for the elevator, getting into it once it arrived.
I stepped out of the elevator on Bella's floor and opened her apartment door. As soon as I stepped in the feeling of wrongness became stronger. She wasn't here. I moved towards the bedroom and stopped dead in the doorway. Her clothes were strewn across the bed and several of her drawers were left open with clothing hanging out of them. I moved in further and gazed around the room. After I left the room I made my way into the kitchen and looked around. Everything was in its place here. My eyes fell on a piece of paper tacked to the fridge with a magnet and I pulled it down. The words I read stole all breath from me
Edward,
I'm sorry. I need to get away for a bit. September 21st is dawning fast and I need to make a decision soon. I can't have him hurt you again. I just can't. Please understand why I have to go.
I love you, Edward. I love you so, so much and I can't stand the thought of you being hurt again. I would rather you lived in anger at me for doing this again than be hurt or worse…dead.
I will always love you, no matter what decision I make from here on out. Please remember that.
I am truly sorry. Be safe.
With all my love always
Bella
My hand shook as I pulled out my cell phone and pressed speed dial 2. It rang twice before it picked up
"Hey, Bro! What's up?" Emmett boomed down the phone at me
"Bella…Gone…Again" I gasped through laboured breaths
"Gone? What the fuck do you mean gone? Where are you, Edward?"
"Bella's apartment. Come. Please" I whispered and hung up the phone
I sank down onto the floor by the fridge and pressed speed dial 1. It rang and rang until the voicemail kicked in
"Hi, this is Bella. I am unable to answer your call right now but please leave a message and I'll get back to you"
I ended the call and dialled again and again all with the same result. I dropped my phone onto the floor beside me and got to my feet. I needed a drink. I crossed to the cabinet on the opposite wall where I knew Bella kept her liquor and retrieved an unopened bottle of vodka and proceeded to drink my self into oblivion; anything to stop the pain again threatening to overtake me. I sank back down onto the floor and this time I didn't get up again.
EmPOV
Bella. Gone. Again? Fuck!
I slammed down the phone having called Alice and demanding she meet me at Bella's apartment and raced in my car towards the same place. I pulled up outside her apartment the same time Alice did and got out of the car. Alice met me at the front door
"Em, what's going on?" she asked
"Edward called me and said that Bella has gone again. Do you know where she is?" I barked as I watched her open the door
"No. she hasn't called me. I thought she was meeting Edward for lunch today?" she answered
We were in the elevator by this point and my entire body was chilled to the bone with the fear of what state I would find my brother in
"I thought that too, but Edward called me and said she had gone. Gone where? And why?" I replied
We stepped out of the elevator on Bella's floor and Alice moved before me and opened Bella's door with her key. We both stepped into the apartment and while Alice headed towards Bella's bedroom, I walked towards the living room and looked around. Nothing looked different in here so I carried on towards the back and into the kitchen. It looked the same too. I gazed around and wondered where Edward was. It wasn't until he spoke did I realise that he was curled into a ball on the floor by the fridge
"She's gone…she left me again" he slurred
Shit. He was drunk. I crouched down in front of him and removed the near empty bottle of vodka from his grasp and set it down behind me, out of sight
"Edward, how do you know she's gone? Maybe she's just gone to the supermarket" I said in a gentle voice
Edward silently handed me a piece of paper he had clutched in his other hand. I took it from him and scanned the note. I felt the dread and ire rise within me as I read Bella's written words. She had done it again, but this time it was worse. This time my brother knew he loved her. I couldn't watch him self-destruct again. I just can't, this time he would not survive the separation and judging by his condition right now, the process had begun a hell of a lot faster already. September 21st was just four days away. I knew what that date signified. It was the date Jacob Black had set for his wedding with Bella. I had just four days to find her and at the same time, I had to protect my brother.
Over the rest of the day I kept an eye on Edward, sobered him up, and helped him pick himself up. Whilst he took a shower later that evening, I called Charlie to see if she had gone back there for a few days. No luck, if anything I managed to worry him to no end. So much so, that he booked himself on the next flight to New York while on the phone with me. He was set to arrive at 8am tomorrow morning and I was dreading it. I knew that he and Edward had butted heads in the past whilst Edward had been on his downward spiral and I was worried about how he would react to Edward now in this situation.
8.30am on Saturday morning found me at JFK airport waiting to collect Bella's father from arrivals. I had stayed with Edward last night at his apartment and by the time 4am rolled around, Edward had not slept a wink thus meaning neither had I. the one time he did manage to doze off for a few minutes, he tossed and turned and had a nightmare so bad it took me half an hour to calm him down again. I was a little worried about leaving him alone while I went to collect Charlie so I called Jas and he turned up to sit with him. When I left Edward was sat on the sofa simply staring off into space. He was essentially a zombie and his lack of reactions to being spoken to was beginning to frighten me.
I spotted Charlie as soon as he stepped out of baggage claim. I waved my arm to get his attention and he made his way over to me. As soon as he reached me he threw question after question at me as we headed to the parking lot and made our way back towards Edward's apartment. I answered him by simply handing him Bella's note and I explained about Edward's accident seven weeks ago. Charlie read the note and pursed his lips
"She's not gone of her own free will" he said firmly and my head snapped round to him
"What?"
"If she wanted to leave and not be found, she would not have left an explanation, least of all to Edward. I know my daughter and I know that if she wanted to remain inconspicuous, she would not have left this note for him, she would have called me or her mother and neither of us have heard from her in a week. Has she cancelled any of her appointments at work?" Charlie carried on in a sure voice
"Shit, I didn't think to check. I was busy making sure Edward-" I cut myself off and shot him a sideways glance and he quirked an eyebrow in response, telling me to continue
"I was making sure Edward was ok. He got drunk after he found the note and hasn't slept all night, except for about half an hour at about 2am. He had a nightmare" I finished quietly
"How is he now?" Charlie asked in a concerned tone which surprised me
"Bad. He's just a zombie right now. All he says is 'she's gone' and barely answers when we ask him a direct question" I replied and Charlie cringed and pulled out his phone
"Isabella Swan's office. Tami speaking" I heard Bella's secretary say through the speakerphone
"Tami, this is Charlie Swan, I need your help"
"Good morning, Mr Swan, what can I do for you?"
"Does my daughter have any appointments for today?"
"No Mr Swan. Her boyfriend, Edward called to say she was still ill this morning"
My eyebrow's shot up at that. There was no way Edward would have called. He was in no fit state to do so
"What time did he call?"
"The call came in just after I started work, so about 7.45am?"
"Shit" I muttered and Charlie nodded
Charlie thanked Tami and hung up the phone before turning to me
"Is there any way Edward could have made that call?" he asked me. I shook my head
"No. I didn't leave for the airport until 8am and Edward was within my sight the entire time before I left. He won't have made that call, hell he can barely say a word to me!" I said exasperatedly
I pulled into the guest parking spot at Edward's building and switched the engine off. I sat staring out the windshield for a moment and then I sighed
"Charlie, I've seen my brother at his lowest point once and I can't see that happen again, I nearly lost him once and right now I can see him self-destructing again, so I need you to be straight with me; Is Bella missing or did she run?" I asked softly, not looking at him
I heard Charlie suck in a deep breath and shake his head slowly
"She's missing, Emmett. She didn't run this time" he replied quietly
"Fuck" I hissed
We got out of the car and I strode toward the elevator. Edward needed to know this; he needed to know that Bella didn't run again; that she didn't leave of her own free will this time. I got out of the elevator on Edward's floor with Charlie trailing behind me with his duffle bag in one hand. I opened the door and called out to my brother
"Edward, we have trouble bro!"
I rounded the corner and found Edward sat in the same position I had left him in. Jas was sitting beside him, trying to get him to drink some water, but he wasn't responding. I glanced back at Charlie and saw him eye Edward, his brow furrowed in deep concern. I strode over to where Edward was sat and pulled him up roughly by his arms and shook him lightly. His eyes were unfocused and staring right through me
"Edward, snap out of it! We have trouble! Bella is in trouble!" I bellowed in his face
As soon as I said Bella's name his eyes snapped into focus and he looked right at me and I saw a flicker of life in his empty eyes once again
"Trouble? How?" he whispered hoarsely
"Charlie thinks she's been taken. She didn't run" I replied and he shook his head
"The letter…" he trailed of, the pain in his voice evident and it made my heart clench
"Is a fake…she wrote it, but I don't think she did it of her own violation" I said as I released his arms. He stared at me incredulously
"Em, you saw the letter, it's her handwriting"
"Yes, but did you call in sick to her work for her this morning?" I asked, my arms folded across my chest
"No. Wait. What?" he answered, confused
"Edward, Charlie spoke to Tami on the way over here; she said that Bella's boyfriend, Edward called in sick for her this morning about 7.45am and since I was still here then, I don't see how you managed to call while staring into space in front of me" I said smugly
I watched as several emotions flashed across his face until his eyes darkened to an almost bottle green as the anger in them skyrocketed, turning his face a deep shade of red. His fist clenched and his jaw tightened. I was actually beginning to become a little afraid for him as he was shaking uncontrollably in his rage. All of a sudden he spun and picked up the glass of water from the coffee table where Jas had set it down and threw it at the wall as he let loose an almighty roar. I stepped back in shock and watched as he then picked up his coffee table as if it weighed as light as a feather and threw that after the glass against the same wall as he continued to roar.
Jas and I exchanged a look full of fear and then at the same time we lunged at Edward and tackled him to the ground. He was growling and snapping his teeth in feral rage as he fought against Jas and me
"Edward, calm down, bro! Please!" I screamed in his ear as I sat on his back holding his legs and Jas sat in front of him holding his arms
"I'LL FUCKING KILL HIM, THAT MOTHERFUCKING PIECE OF SHIT! FUCKING WASTE OF SPACE! I'LL KILL HIM FOR THIS! FUCKING LET ME GO AND KILL HIM! FUCK! I'M COMING FOR YOU JACOB BLACK, I'M FUCKING GONNA COME FOR YOU!" Edward screamed back, totally oblivious to the rest of us in his anger
"Edward! Fuck! Edward, calm the fuck down bro! We need to find Bella!" I cried desperately
Her name was all it took for him to still beneath me and whimper. I cautiously released my hold slightly and sat back on my hunches. I nodded to Jas and he did the same thing. I looked up and saw Charlie watching Edward in dumbstruck awe. His eyes met mine and I nodded to say it was ok now. He walked forward slowly and crouched before Edward's face and placed his hand on Edward's shoulder
"Son? You ok?" he asked softly
Edward took a shaky breath and raised his head to meet Charlie's eyes. I was shocked to see his eyes red rimmed and tears flowing down his face
"I need her, Charlie. Help me find her" he whispered
Charlie patted his shoulder and smiled tightly, the worry clear in his eyes
"We'll find her. We need to call the police, son. Come on, I can't do this without you"
In one sentence, Charlie had managed to bring the fire back into Edward's eyes. I released Edward completely as did Jas and he rose to his feet and ran his hands through his hair thoughtfully. He was quiet for so long that I exchanged another look with Jas. Several minutes later Edward pulled out his phone and dialled. I watched his face carefully as he waited for the other person to answer
"Hey J, Can you come over?...Bella's missing…I don't know. I thought Jared was with her yesterday …Yes, yesterday…No she called in sick to work…Yeah I was meant to, but she didn't make it into work…Yes, there was a note…No…No, look, can we discuss all the specifics when you get here, please?...10 minutes? Great thanks…Yeah, see you then"
He hung up and turned to me
"Josh is on his way" he then turned to Charlie "I'll call the officer that has been helping us since Jacob broke into Bella's apartment on my birthday"
"B-broke…he broke in?" Charlie stuttered as his face now turned red in anger
"Yes, he tried to strangle her" Edward replied
Charlie's face turned purple as we watched. His jaw clenched and I wondered if he would react the way Edward had. I really didn't fancy sitting on him to calm him down. I was also surprised that Bella had not told her father of all the problems she had been facing with Jacob. Jas and I stood flanking Edward as he re-told everything that had been happening in the last couple of months. Charlie sank down on the sofa with a look of disbelief on his face. He ran a hand down his face and looked from Jas, Edward and me, his eyes asking if it was all true. Jas answered for us
"It's all true. As unbelievable as it is, this is what Edward and Bella have been dealing with since May. It's been a rough couple of months but these two have held strong together"
Charlie nodded and Edward dialled another number on his phone, this time putting it on speaker. It rang five times before the call was answered
"Officer Twain"
"Officer, this is Edward Cullen"
"Good morning, Mr Cullen, what can I do for you?"
"Bella's missing"
"Since?"
"Yesterday morning"
"Damn. Ok, how did you become aware of this fact?"
Edward told him of the entire events leading up to this morning, including Charlie's arrival and his phone call to Bella's secretary. Officer Twain 'hmm'd and Ahh'd and then told Edward he would meet us over at Bella's apartment in and hour to get some fingerprint samples and pictures. Edward hung up and headed into the kitchen and poured himself a cup of coffee. I was just glad it wasn't Irish. Fuck knows we needed Edward firing on all pistons right now.