You guys continue to overwhelm me. To have you read, review, alert and favourite this story is beyond amazing. Thank you.

As always, big hugs to my pre-readers MrsK1981 and SparklyMeg and my beta's Marly 580 and Mauigirl60. The support I get from these ladies is outstanding – thank you!

Pattinlethr continues to be my rock – both in Fandom life and RL

EPOV

"You're an ass!"

"Rose!"

"No, Em! He needs to know what an ass he is!"

I hear Emmett sigh and I can feel Rose's eyes on me, but I don't pay them any attention. I make my way into the kitchen, grab a beer from the fridge and try to make a swift exit. Rose has other ideas.

"You're just going to ignore me?" She stands in front of me, blocking the doorway, with both hands on her hips.

"That's my plan."

I roll my eyes when she huffs in annoyance as I push past her and head toward the living room.

"Asshole!" she mutters before walking back to the kitchen.

I flip through the TV channels, finding nothing of interest. I decide to put on the Xbox, hoping to play by myself, but I know my brother too well.

And sure enough, like a moth to a flame, Emmett is sitting next to me within minutes.

"Want to play a game?" he asks, picking up the second controller.

I shrug. "Sure."

He watches warily as I finish half my beer in one gulp. I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand, put the bottle down on the table, and pick up my controller. I wait for him to start the game, but he's still watching me.

"Are we gonna play or what, Em?"

He sighs. "Sure."

I know I'm being an ass, but I can't help it. Acting this way is better than hurting. If I stay mad at her, at Alec—hell, at anything—then it stops my heart from shattering. Staying focused on anything other than the best part of my life leaving me means I stand a better chance of moving on. I've recovered from a broken heart once before and I can do it again.

Thankfully, Emmett stays quiet as we launch into a new match. After dealing with my hungover ass the other day, he hasn't really spoken about her. He tried once, and I walked out of the room. Since then, we've just danced around the topic.

I turn to glare at him as he suddenly stops the game. "What the hell, Em?"

"You're really not going to talk to her?"

I roll my eyes and pick up my beer. "I have nothing more to say to her. We said everything that we needed to on Sunday."

"I highly doubt that."

"I don't care what you think."

"So, after everything, you're just going to let her go?"

"Let her?" I snap. "You think I let her? What we had was over the minute she hooked up with that scumbag boss of hers!"

I down the rest of my beer and head to the kitchen for another, hoping to escape Emmett. I have no such luck.

"C'mon, you can't seriously believe that?"

I pull the top off the bottle and take a drink before answering. "That's exactly what I think happened."

"Ed—"

"Em, what else am I supposed to think? You saw the photos."

"I know. I also know Bella, and I saw firsthand what you guys were like together. I think there's more than meets the eye with these photos, and you need to talk to her about it."

My voice catches. "I…I just can't."

He nods and pats my shoulder. "I get that you're hurt, but you told her to leave without talking it through properly." He holds his hands up in surrender as I glare at him. "Look, if you're right, then I'm a hundred percent on your side. I just think you need to talk to her now that you've calmed down."

"I—"

He cuts me off. "I'm not saying now. Just think about it, okay?"

I nod.

He gestures back to the living room. "Keep playing?"

"Yeah, sure."

I follow him and try to turn my focus back on the game, but my thoughts are already heading in another direction. Once again, my mind is with a certain petite, brown-haired girl.

What if Emmett's right?

Is there more to the photos?

What is she doing right now?

Is she with him?

My last thought causes me to scowl, so I pause the game. "I need another. You want?"

Emmett looks up at me warily. I know it's early, but I don't care. "Yeah, sure."

Unfortunately for me, Rose is still lingering in the kitchen. She continues what she's doing, ignoring me as I pull out another two beers from the fridge. As I make it to the kitchen door, she finally speaks.

"I heard what Emmett said to you."

I roll my eyes. Of course she did.

"Yeah, I had a feeling you put him up to that."

She smirks at me. "Believe it or not, I actually didn't."

I raise my eyebrows at her. "Honestly. I mean, I agree with everything he said, but I never told him to speak to you."

"Well, I'm so happy for both of you," I say sarcastically.

"God, you're such an ass sometimes! I can't believe you honestly think she would cheat on you! After everything you've been through. You must be blind not to see how much she loves you," she says, shaking her head.

"I've just had a lecture, Rose. I don't need round two."

"Well, somebody needs to talk some sense into you, before you really do lose her."

I snap my eyes up to hers. "I've already lost her."

"You need to speak to her, Edward," she says softly.

"What I need is for everyone to leave me alone and let me make my own decisions."

Her eyes soften. "We're not trying to upset you, Edward. We just don't want to see you make the wrong choice."

I smile sadly at her. "I know, but I can't just now. I need some time before I can even comprehend speaking to her. When I think about her and Alec, it makes me want to hit something. I just want to calm down before I see her and talk to her about it."

She nods. "I get it."

I smile, realizing we've come to a mutual understanding. Both Emmett and Rose have made their points, making me stop and listen to what they have to say. In my haze of anger the other night, I maybe reacted harshly and told Bella to leave without letting her have her say.

I make my way out of the kitchen, but Rose calls me back.

"Um…there's something I think you should know." She shifts on her feet and I'm automatically defensive.

"Ooookay…"

"Bella's not in Seattle."

I'm confused. "Where is she, then? Did she go home?"

She shakes her head slowly. "No. She…ah…she's in California for work. She'll be there for the rest of the week."

I see red. "Is she there with Alec?" The thought of Bella on a working trip with him makes we want to hurl.

Understanding crosses her face. "Oh, God no! She's there with Angela for a premiere," she rushes to clarify. "She's finally getting her big break."

I can't help but smile. "She's finally getting what she wanted."

She nods and smiles. "She is. But I think she'd still appreciate a call or text from you," she hints.

I chuckle. "Okay, okay. I get it."

"So you will?" she asks, hopefully.

"I'll think about it."

She smiles. "I'll take it. That's better than a flat-out no."

Unable to focus, I pass a beer to Emmett but don't sit down next to him. He takes a huge gulp of his drink before setting it down on the table. "You playing?"

I shake my head. "No. I'm going to head into work for a little while."

He frowns. "But we're not even open today."

I shrug. "I know. I just need something to focus on."

"Sure, okay. You want me to come in, too?"

I shake my head. "I'll just catch up on some stuff and then come back home. I need to get away for a bit and clear my head."

I quickly change and shout goodbye as I get ready to leave the apartment. On the way out, the envelope with the photos catches my eye. My stomach lurches at the thought of what's on them. I've not looked at them since the night they were delivered, so I don't know why I kept them.

Maybe I didn't throw them for a reason.

Without thinking about why, I pick them up and take them with me.

.

.

.

.

My thoughts are jumbled as I drive away. I'd been so sure that the photos were clear-cut. Every single photo hit me hard, playing on all my insecurities. My heart clenches as I think about Bella with another man—laughing, joking, kissing….

I'm not sure when I make the decision not to go to work, but before I realize it, I find myself driving in the opposite direction—the direction of Bella's office. I don't know what I plan to say, but I know I need to speak with her boss. I want answers on how he feels about Bella, and I want some damned answers about those photos.

I park outside her building and stay in the car while I figure out what to say to him. Ideally, I'd like to walk in there and punch him, but I know that's out of the question.

And it's not likely to get me any anywhere, either.

Taking a deep breath, I get out of the car and head toward the building. The security guard nods at me as I pass him. I recognize him as the guard who was usually in the reception area with Bella when she waited for me to pick her up. I give a half-hearted smile in return and go to the reception desk.

The receptionist is a cheery blonde who seems eager to take her time talking to me. I have to ask her three times to call Alec's office before she actually does. After a brief conversation with who I assume is Alec's secretary, she points to the elevator and gives me directions to his office.

My palms start sweating as I wait for the elevator. Floor after floor, I can feel my heart start pounding. I definitely want to ask Alec these questions, but what if I hate the answers he gives me? I'm coming here hoping that he'll tell me it's a huge misunderstanding…

What if the photos are exactly what I thought they would be?

What if he's been harboring feelings for her all along?

Finally, the elevator dings and the doors open. I walk down the corridor to the end, as the receptionist instructed, and come face to face with Alec's secretary.

"Mr. Cullen?" she asks, a cheery smile on her face.

I nod. "Yes."

"Mr. Baxter is on a conference call but should be finished any moment, if you don't mind waiting for him?"

"No. No, that's fine. I can wait."

It's not like I have anywhere else to be.

She gestures to a row of seats along the wall. "If you take a seat, I'll let you know when he's available."

"Thank you," I say, sitting down in one of the chairs.

"Can I get you anything while you wait?"

Scotch?

"No," I say instead. "Thank you."

She smiles and then turns back to her computer, her fingers tapping quickly against the keyboard as she resumes typing.

As I sit and wait for Bella's boss, I begin to wonder if I've made the right decision. Earlier, in the heat of the moment, the last-minute decision to come and see Alec felt so right. I want answers once and for all; today seems like the opportune time since Bella's away on assignment. Now, with the envelope in my hand, I don't know if I can face him.

Part of me wants to storm into his office, punch him out and leave, never seeing him again. Unconsciously, I form my hand into a fist and have to fight the temptation. The more rational part of my brain realizes I'm here for answers, and if I want to get them, I need to behave like a mature adult—not a caveman.

The shrill ring of the receptionist's phone breaks the silence and she answers quickly. "Yes, Mr. Baxter, I'll send him straight through." She hangs up and continues typing. I watch her, wondering when straight through actually is.

Moments later, I get my answer.

"Mr. Cullen, Mr. Baxter will see you now. I've been told to inform you that you have thirty minutes, as he has another appointment."

I nod. "Thank you."

She smiles and resumes typing.

Alec's door is closed, so I knock and enter after hearing him respond, "Come in!"

I've never met Alec in person—I've only seen him dropping Bella off after work, or when I've been waiting in the parking lot for her. I expected him to be shorter and maybe fatter - or maybe I was just hoping—but as he stands up when I walk in, I can see he's the same height as me, if not taller. He's obviously older, going by the streaks of gray in his dark hair.

As I approach his desk, he comes around, meeting me halfway and shaking my hand. "Edward, right?"

I nod. "Thanks for seeing me on short notice, Mr. Baxter."

He scoffs and gestures at a seat. "Alec, please."

As I take the seat he offers me, he goes back to sit behind his desk. "Excuse me a moment," he murmurs, as he focuses on his computer.

I take the time to study him. He looks tired. In the few moments I've been in the same room, he's yawned about four times and just generally looks exhausted.

"So," he says, closing his laptop. "What can I do for you?"

"It's about Bella," I say.

He frowns and holds up his hands. "I know…I need to apologize for sending her away on such short notice. I hope I didn't ruin any plans. Is that why you're here?"

I'm bewildered. He's apologizing to me?

"Look, if I did, I'm sure we can arrange for some time off? I'm due to give both her and Angela a few extra days just for all the traveling they'll be doing and the evenings they'll have to work." He leans back in his chair and puts his feet on the desk, yawning again before continuing. "But, it'll be worth it if this goes well. I mean, I'm hopeful the new bosses will let us do more of this kind of stuff, and our sales will go through the roof—"

I cut him off. "I'm not here about that, Alec." I throw the envelope on the desk. "I'm here about these."

He looks down at the envelope and then back up at me. He looks so confused, and I wonder just how good of a liar he is.

"What's in here, exactly?"

I just gesture to the envelope again. "Have a look for yourself."

Warily, he leans forward and picks up the envelope. Just as I did the other night, he tips it and lets the photos fall out.

One by one he picks them up, and I watch his face for a reaction—any reaction that might just give me the justification I need to hit him.

He gasps as he flicks through the pictures once, twice, and then a third time; his face gives nothing away.

Finally, he pushes them to the center of his desk. He sits back and looks up at me.

"I'm confused," he admits. "Why do you have photos of me and my girlfriend, and why do you want to talk about them?"

I see red; he's confirming my worst fears straight out. "So, you admit that's your girlfriend? You've been seeing her?"

He nods. "Yeah, why?" He sighs almost resignedly. "What's she done now?"

My heart plummets to my stomach. Bella was so adamant that it wasn't her in those photos, and a small part of me believed her, but Alec's pretty much confirmed my suspicions.

I imagined the outcome of this confrontation going much differently.

He wasn't supposed to admit this. He's supposed to tell me it's not her!

I sink back into my seat, unable to process this. It was one thing to see the photos, but having Alec confirm it is like being punched in the stomach.

I hear Alec sigh; out of the corner of my eye, I see him walk around his desk toward me. "Edward, what's this all about?" He stands in front of me, leaning against his desk.

I should be angry. I should hit him, walk out of here and never set eyes on him—or Bella—again. But now, I give up. There's no point. Instead, I resign myself to the fact that it's over.

But I'm not leaving without some answers.

"How long?"

He looks puzzled. "How long, what?"

I scowl. "How long have you been seeing Bella behind my back?"

"What?" he gasps. "Bella?"

I frown as he bursts out laughing—a full-on, head-thrown-back laugh.

I glance at the door and contemplate leaving. I don't need these answers, but I'm not sure I want them enough to sit and listen to some asshole laugh at me.

When Alec notices that I'm not laughing with him, he attempts to cover his laugh with a discreet cough.

"You're serious?" he asks, bewildered.

"Yep."

"What on earth makes you think that Bella and I are seeing each other?"

I chuckle humorlessly. "You saw the photos, and you just admitted they were of you and Bella."

He shakes his head. "No, you misunderstood me."

I scoff. "What's to misunderstand?"

"Edward, that's not Bella in those photos."

"But you said—"

"I said they were of me and my girlfriend."

"You're not seeing Bella?" I ask.

"No." He shakes his head. "Why on earth would you think that?"

I shrug. "She's always working late, you take her out for fancy lunches, and you're always the one who brings her home."

He chuckles. "And you concluded that we're dating from all that?" He walks back around his desk, sitting once again.

"Edward, I just see so much potential in her that I've been pushing her that little bit more. I didn't mean to take her away from her home life. She never once complained, so I didn't think she minded a few extra hours."

I scoff. "Of course she wouldn't say anything. After she messed up with the article, she thought she had to prove herself to you. She wouldn't dare say no to you when she thought her job was at risk!"

He looks surprised. "At risk? Edward, it was never at risk. I just wanted to push her further. That article wasn't her best work."

I sigh and lean forward, placing my elbows on my knees. I rest my head in my hands. If everything he says is true, then I well and truly messed up and I wouldn't blame Bella if she never wants to speak to me again.

"Oh, God!" I murmur.

I threw her out without any explanation!

She tried to tell me it wasn't her, that she wouldn't do that to me, and I couldn't get past my issues to see she was telling me the truth.

What have I done?

"Edward," Alec says softly. "What did you do?"

I pull at my hair and look up at him. "I didn't believe her," I whisper.

He whistles. "You've got your work cut out for you, then."

I nod and chuckle halfheartedly. "Yeah, no kidding!"

The ringing of Alec's phone cuts through the silence and he answers. "Yes, Jane? Okay, have them take a seat."

With my thoughts spinning in all sorts of directions, I stand and get ready to leave. Picking up the photos, I offer him my other hand—which, thankfully, he takes. "Thank you for seeing me today. I know you're busy, and I apologize for being a bit of an ass earlier."

He laughs. "I'd be as well; at first glance, it really looks like Bella."

He walks me to the door and holds it open. "I hope you get things sorted out with Bella. It would be a shame to have ruined your relationship over something so trivial."

"Thanks, man. I really have some groveling to do."

"Just apologize and be honest with her. That's all you can do. And if all else fails, I'm sure some flowers wouldn't hurt either way." He winks at me and I give him a lackluster smile.

I am going to need more than flowers to get me out of this.

As we walk along the corridor, I realize something.

"Alec, the girl in the photos—she's your girlfriend?"

"Yes, she is." He smiles and waits for me to continue.

"How long have you been together? I mean, it's just that Bella never mentioned anything."

"Umm, not long, just a few months." He laughs softly. He looks as though he wants to say something else but then changes his mind.

"Oh, well, that's good," I say, not sure what else I can really say on the matter.

"Hmm…I'm not too sure. It might just be me getting old, but I find her very demanding. She always wants something." He looks at me. "Is that normal? I mean, is Bella like that?"

I think back over my relationship with her, and shake my head. "No, not at all." I snort, thinking back to the person who started all this drama. "My ex was definitely like that. She wanted all sorts of things—flowers, jewelry, any kind of gift that implied money and status."

"Yes! That's exactly what I'm talking about! I like to surprise her, but she's outright demanding gifts now." He shakes his head. "I've never really known a girl like Lauren, and I'm not sure I have the energy to turn it into something serious."

I start laughing, but then stop dead in my tracks.

Surely not?

"Lauren?" I ask.

He nods. "Yeah, Lauren Mallory. To be honest, I was shocked as hell when she sat down next to me. I'd had a really shitty day at work, my friends had bailed on me, and I was just getting ready to leave when this stunning blonde sat down next to me." He turns when he realizes I've stopped walking. "You okay, Edward?"

"Um…your girlfriend is Lauren Mallory?" My voice comes out in a faint whisper as I fight the urge to throw up.

"You know her?"

I nod. "Yeah, you could say that."

"Oh, she never mentioned that she knows either you or Bella." He genuinely sounds surprised.

"There's no reason why she would. We didn't part on good terms." I glance up at him. "Wait, so is that Lauren in the photos? With brown hair?"

"She dyed her hair about a month ago." He shrugs. "I don't get it, because she moans about it all the time."

I feel like the wind has been knocked out of me. My legs give out and I slide down the wall until I'm sitting on the floor.

Of course! It all fits together now.

Lauren had the photos taken and then sent them to me. But why would she go to such an extreme?

"Edward?"

I glance up at Alec.

"Is everything okay?"

"It will be," I mumble, trying to get up. He takes my hand and helps pull me to my feet.

With Alec hot on my heels, I rush past reception to the elevators. I turn to him as I wait for them to come to this floor.

"Can you do me a favor and not mention this to Lauren? There's been some stuff going on, and I just need to check it out first."

"Does it have anything to do with why Bella needed time off when she first started?"

I nod, shocked that he remembers. "I think it might, yes."

"Of course I won't. Look, here's my contact info. If you need anything else, just give me a call."

I take his business card and thank him. "Do you have a pen so I can give you my cell number?"

He fumbles in his pockets and then pulls out a pen. "Here, write it on this."

I scribble my number down and hit the button again as the elevator door pings open. "You can reach me on that whenever you need to."

Alec's grim face is the last thing I see as the elevator doors close. I lean back, my head thumping against the wall, as I try to process everything that's just happened. Not only is it not Bella in those photos, but her boss is also dating my ex?

It's just too much of a coincidence.

.

.

.

.

So, I'm dying to know your thoughts now… xo