Here's chapter 12.

Chapter 12 – Broken Trust (Alice's POV)

After much debate, my parents decided that the sooner we told the Whitlocks, the better. So, the next morning, I found myself waiting in the Whitlock sitting room for Jasper and his parents. My parents sat on either side of me, as calm as I was nervous.

Jasper and his parents entered the room. Jasper's eyes lit up when he saw me. He made to come over and kiss me on the cheek, but something in the way I looked at made him rethink this. Instead, he settled down with his parents on the other side of the room.

"Whatever did you want to talk to us about?" Mr. Whitlock asked when we were all settled.

"I'm afraid we have some bad news," my father said. "We're going to have to end Jasper and Alice's engagement."

"What?!" The shocked outburst came from Jasper. He looked at me, trying to gain an explanation from my face. I turned away, tears welling up in my eyes.

"I'm afraid we don't understand," Mrs. Whitlock said. "Why must the engagement end?"

"Alice, would you like to explain?" my mother asked. Since the tears were constricting my throat, I shook my head no. "Very well. Dear?"

My father cleared his throat. "Many years ago, while we were still living in Mississippi, my wife and I had a close friend by the name of Billy Black," my father said. "Billy has a son about three years older than Alice. His name is Jacob. In their early days, Alice and Jacob were very close. My wife and I thought – and Billy agreed – that it would only be proper for them to be married. So we arranged the marriage. By her third birthday, Alice was betrothed. Half a year later, we moved out here, to Forks. We maintained a steady correspondence with the Blacks, knowing that Alice would be sent back to Mississippi to marry Jacob when the time was right. We informed both children when Alice was twelve and Jacob was fifteen. Both took the news incredibly well. Their relationship intensified over the next four years and all of the parents were confident that nothing could go wrong." My father paused and let out a sigh. "How wrong we were. Shortly before Alice's sixteenth birthday, she received a letter from Jacob telling her that he had been drafted into the Confederate Army. For many months he remained in training. All throughout his training, he maintained a steady correspondence with Alice. Then, about a year and a half ago, Alice received a letter saying that Jacob was dead. A divorce court ruled that Alice could remarry so long as Jacob was dead." I saw the understanding form on each Whitlock's face.

"So what you are trying to tell us is that Alice and Jasper can't get married because Alice's intended is alive and she has to marry him?" Mr. Whitlock said.

"We're afraid that's the case," my mother said. "We're very sorry."

"I guess we should work out how best to annul the marriage," Mr. Whitlock suggested.

"Very well," my father agreed.

"Do you need me and Alice for this, father?" Jasper asked.

"No," Mr. Whitlock said.

"Good. Alice, can I talk to you?" Numbly, I nodded. Rising, I followed Jasper until we were out of earshot of the sitting room, in the entrance hall. Once there, he turned and stared at me, his eyes full of anger. I dropped my eyes from his.

"Jasper, I know that you're mad at me, but…"

"Mad is only part of what I'm feeling right now," he said, his voice flat. I flinched.

"Listen Jasper, I can explain, really…"

"What if I don't want your explanation?" Jasper asked. "Alice, you betrayed me. If this was the first time, maybe I'd understand. This isn't the first time though. You've betrayed me before. And now you've done it again."

"I didn't mean to! I didn't want to betray you, Jasper!"

"You decide to marry another man, yet you didn't want or mean to betray me."

"This wasn't my choice," I screamed, tears pouring down my cheeks. "Do you think I wanted this? Do you think I wanted to have to give you up? I love you, Jasper. Not Jacob. You."

"Then why are you marrying him?"

"Didn't you hear me? This wasn't my choice. My parents made the decision for me. I was trying to fight it every step of the way. I don't want to marry him. I want to marry you."

"I wish I could believe you when you say that." Jasper turned his back on me.

"Jasper, please…" He half turned his head to look at me. I saw all the different emotions he felt reflected in his eyes. Hurt, pain, anger, betrayal. I dropped my head, knowing I was the cause. He turned his head and walked away without another word.

I flew to the door, wrenching it open. I stumbled outside and ran up to my carriage. The driver looked at me, shocked.

"Miss Brandon?" he said.

"Take me home," I said through my tears.

"Certainly. Are your parents coming?"

"No, they're not. At least, not yet."

"Shall we wait for them, then?"

"They won't be done for a while. Take me home."

"Shouldn't you wait for your parents, Miss Brandon?"

"They'll understand. Now take me home this instant."

"Miss Brandon…"

"That wasn't up for discussion," I said through gritted teeth. "Take me home right away or my parents shall hear about this."

"Y-yes Miss Brandon," he stammered. Without another word, he helped me into the carriage before swiftly drawing us away from the source of all my heartache and pain.

Oof. I feel bad for Alice. Rosalie's up next. Hopefully things aren't so painful for her. Of course, I've already decided, but if you want to tell me what your opinion, I'd be happy to hear it. Love you all.

xoxoxoxoxo, TwilightTeen212