Jacob was staring at the ceiling of his childhood bedroom when someone knocked on his door.
"Come in," he called, sitting up so he was leaning against his headboard.
"Hey," Billy Black opened the door, and stepped inside. "Your mom says it's time for dinner. "
"I'm not hungry." Jacob told him.
Billy sighed. He sat down on the edge of the bed. "Okay, what's going on? You've been like this since they day you got here. You sick?"
"No," Jacob sighed, moving so he was sitting next to his father. "Just realized that I made a shit ton of horrible decisions."
"Well, there's no such thing as a problem with no solution. Unless you count world hunger or wars, but…anyway, you get the point. What are you dealing with here?"
Initially, Jacob planned on making something up, but as soon as he opened his mouth, everything came spilling out, details and all.
"Wow," Billy scratched his chin afterwards. "That's…that's something."
"Tell me about it."
"But you do know that the Cullens paid for your-"
"I know, okay! Why do you think I'm feeling like shit right now?"
"Hey, I'm not the one who forced you into betraying your best friend. Don't take your anger out on me."
"Sorry," Jacob muttered as he rubbed his temples. "I don't know what to do, Dad."
"How about the right thing?" Billy smiled. "You're a good boy, Jacob. Sure, you made some mistakes, but you can fix them. You can't just come running back home every time you get problems."
"Not even problems as big as this one?" Jacob asked quietly.
"Not even," Billy said. "Your mother and I love it when you come visit, but you have to go back to Chicago, son."
"I know. And I will." Jacob promised.
"Good," Billy patted his back. "Now, come on. Your mom made steak, and I'm not waiting another second for that."
…
"Jasper? How is he?"
"He doesn't look so good."
"Edward," Bella sat on what looked like her empty bed. "Edward, are you okay?"
"Tell her I'm just tired," Edward said to Jasper, but his eyes remained on Bella.
"He says he's just worn out," Jasper stood beside her. "I think he's getting weaker, Bella."
It was true. For the past few days, Edward found it difficult to function. Like The Big Boss told him before, having tears didn't have any positive effect on his strength, even though he was just one away from waking up.
This morning, he had managed to possess Jasper, and stumble his way to the café, but after a while, his weariness caught Bella's attention, and she helped him to her apartment where he and Jasper involuntarily separated.
"This isn't good," Bella muttered. She was extremely frustrated with the fact that she couldn't see or touch him. "Why is this happening?"
"I don't have much time left," Edward informed her. "And my mission isn't complete yet."
"His deadline's close," Jasper said, and Bella gasped. "Are you sure you can't tell us what you need, Edward? I really wish we can just give it to you – whatever it is."
"Unfortunately, it isn't that simple," Edward smiled slightly. "And no, I really can't tell you. Doing that would probably make things worse."
"What did he say? Is there anything we can do?" Bella asked Jasper.
"I don't know," Jasper rubbed his face. "How're you doing with the flash drive, by the way? Did you crack the passwords already?"
Bella shook her head. "Not yet. I've tried everything Edward suggested, and even searched Rosalie's and Jacob's social media accounts for ideas. Nothing I've tried so far has worked."
"I think we're going to have to acquire some hacking skills." Jasper commented.
"Sad to say that's going to have to wait," Bella sighed. "Esme asked us to join her for lunch today after we bring it to the hospital." She turned to her bed. "Will you be okay here by yourself? I can call your mom and tell her that –"
"He said we should go," Jasper said. "Are you sure, man?"
"Mom would be disappointed if you don't go. Don't worry about me, I won't be going anywhere." Edward urged.
"But what if something happens to you while we're gone? Maybe one of us should stay."
"The worst that can happen is me growing weaker, but I already have Bella's really comfortable bed for that," Edward grinned. "Seriously, Jasper. Go with her. I'll be fine."
Though he meant the rest of his words, Edward doubted that last part.
…
When it came to travelling, Rose never considered herself to be someone impatient.
Today was the exception.
"What the fuck is the hold up?" she accosted her driver. "I have urgent business to attend to!"
"I'm sorry, ma'am, but they closed a main road for the arts festival," the man cringed at Rosalie's harsh tone. "And the only other way going to where you're going is a one way street, so we have to wait for a little."
Rosalie grumbled, and glared at her phone, wondering how the hell things got so wrong so quickly. She was so sure of her plan's success that she could practically taste it; why the hell did Bella Swan have to swoop in and be the annoying bitch Rose always thought her as in high school?
Jacob was no help either as he wasn't answering any of her calls. And to think I was considering giving him a second chance, she thought disgustedly. Useless piece of shit.
And speaking of useless, apparently, Stefan's health had gotten worse over the past week, and he had to be transferred to the ICU yesterday. That meant that her plan was now in tattered pieces, and she had no one she could depend on now but herself.
Luckily, she had a back-up plan.
"Finally," Rose rolled her eyes as her taxi finally started moving forward. The intimidated driver, perhaps afraid of incurring her wrath again, made sure to drive as fast as he could so that they reached their destination in less than fifteen minutes.
"Miss Hale," the attendant manning the front desk at St. Catherine's sputtered in surprise. "I – We weren't expecting you today."
"Just get me a visitor's badge, and tell me where my mother is," Rose told her briskly. "I want you to send two attendants to her room in five minutes to pack her things, and I want discharge papers ready when I come back. My mother won't be staying here anymore."
"But you can't – I mean, that's...most unfortunate, Miss Hale, but may I ask why?" the attendant handed Rosalie her pass with shaky hands. "Is there a problem with Lililan's amenities? I'm sure we can upgrade her to – "
"Look, it's none of your business. Just tell me where she is."
"She's in her room, ma'am. On the third floor. Here's the key to –"
Not bothering to say thank you, Rose snatched the key, and hurried to her mother's room. Indeed, Lillian was there, sitting quietly in her wheelchair as she stared out the window.
"Mama," Rosalie breathed. She knelt down beside her, and took her hands. "Mama, it's Rose."
Lillian diverted her eyes from the scenery to her daughter. "Rosie."
"Yeah, it's me," Rose smiled softly at her. "Listen, we don't have much time. The original plan went a little astray, but it's okay. I have a lot of Cullen's millions now, and we can go somewhere far from here to start anew."
"Rosie..."
"It's all fine now, Mama. The firm's going to go bankrupt, and Cullen will finally be put to justice."
"Rosie..."
"What is it?"
"I...I have something to tell you," Lillian surprised her daughter by speaking more coherently than she's heard her in years. "Your daddy deserved to be in prison."
"W-What?"
"He really did steal from Carlisle Cullen, Rosie. It was right for him to be thrown in jail."
"B-But...you said...and Alec...I don't understand."
"Alec was the one who pushed him to do it," Lillian continued, her voice cracking slightly. "I'm so sorry, Rosie. If I'd known that you would do this...I just never knew how to tell you."
Rosalie closed her eyes briefly as she let the words sink in. "Well, we still need to leave, Mama. I have a place in Geneva that's ready for us. You remember that house, right? Where did you keep the travel papers I gave you the last time I visited?"
Lillian let go of Rose's hands to wring them. "I-I lost them. I don't remember where I put them."
"Shit," Rosalie bowed her head as if its weight was too much to support. "Just…let me think for s second."
"You go ahead," her mother insisted. "It's okay, Rosie. I like it here. When you fix my papers again, come and get me."
"I can't do that."
"You have to. This is for your safety, Rosie. No one is going to bother me here."
Hastily wiping her tears, Rosalie hugged her mother tight. "I'll come back for you," she promised. "I'll fix everything, and then we can start over."
"Okay," Lillian stroked her cheek. "I love you."
"I love you, too."
After Rosalie left, Lillian took a deep breath. Shakily, she rolled herself away from the window, and towards her dresser, where she easily accessed the travel papers she had claimed she lost.
"My Lord, please forgive us." she whispered before crumpling and throwing them into the burning fireplace.
...
For some strange reason, Jacob didn't feel the least bit scared as he drove to the hospital to talk to Carlisle and Esme. One would think confessing one such a horrible thing would make him dread doing it, but surprisingly, he was looking forward to it.
It was time to clear his conscience once and for all.
He had thought of preparing a speech for them, but in the end, he decided to just wing it. He wanted to be as sincere as possible, and if it meant having to stumble over some parts, then so be it.
"Here we go." he whispered before taking a long, deep breath, and entering the building.
Jacob had it planned in his head: first, he would knock on the door, and ask Carlisle and Esme if he could speak to them. Naturally, they would say yes. Then, he would start from the very beginning of his tale – right from teenaged Rosalie's bitterness – and beg for their forgiveness. After that, he supposed it would depend on their reactions.
That plan quickly went down the drain when he knocked on Edward's door, and no one answered. He waited, but after five minutes of just standing there, he decided to just head inside.
"Hello?" he called out softly to no avail. The only person in the room was the one he had wronged the most.
Jacob just stood there, staring at his shoes for a while, but the longer he stayed that way, the quicker he became jittery. Finally, he just decided to begin his grovelling now.
"Hey, Edward," he grinned at him listlessly. "Bet you're surprised to see me, huh? Or maybe you really can't see me. Or hear me. I don't really know how your…situation works.
"Well, just in case you can hear me, I hope you'll hear me out. Because I have a lot to say, and they're beyond overdue."
He walked closer so that he could see Edward's face clearer. "I-I'm not sure how to start, exactly, but I guess I should do it with I'm sorry."
…
"I'm nervous." Jasper told Bella. They were walking to Edward's room with their arms filled with food.
"Don't be," Bella assured him with a warm smile. "Carlisle and Esme are wonderful. They'll love you."
"But I'm me right now," Jasper argued. "The last time they saw this body, their son was the one speaking to them. Edward and I are nothing alike! I'm going to fuck this up, I know it."
"For someone who isn't like Edward at all, you two sure do share the same pessimism," Bella observed dryly. "Just relax. They're nice people."
"If you say so."
"Bella!"
Both of them stopped and turned to see Esme and Carlisle moving to catch up with them.
"Hi," Bella greeted, surprised. "I thought you guys were with Edward."
"We were, but Aro and the rest of the board insisted we have lunch with them," Esme rolled her eyes. "Not to worry, though. We only stayed for a few drinks, so we are perfectly ready for your cooking."
"That's great." Bella chuckled.
"Let's be on our way, then, shall we?" Carlisle gestured forward. "I'm starving!"
The four chatted amicably as they covered the remaining distance to their destination. Carlisle was the first to enter.
"Jacob," he said when he saw him. "I didn't know you're back from Forks already."
"Jacob?!" Bella and Jasper exclaimed in unison, the bags they were carrying dropping to the floor. They surprised Esme by pushing past her to get to the bed immediately.
"Get away from him!" Bella shouted as Jasper pulled him away. "What are you doing?!"
"Let go of me!" Jacob struggled in Jasper's arms.
"What's going on here?" Carlisle quickly broke the two up. "Jasper? What's the meaning of this?"
"You don't know what he's done, Mr. Cullen," Jasper spat. "He isn't who you think he is."
"Shut the fuck up, Whitlock!" Jacob's voice cracked, and it was only then that Bella noticed the tear streaks on his cheek. "This doesn't have anything to do with you!"
"Everybody just calm down," Esme spoke so that she could be heard clearly over the scuffle. "Okay. Now, will someone please explain what's happening."
"I came here to apologize!" Jacob cried. He fell to his knees as sobs wracked his bodies. "Y-You – I'm sorry! I know what I did was wrong!"
"What is it? What did you do?" Carlisle urged as he helped him to his feet.
"I loved her!" Jacob moaned. "I had an affair with Rosalie, Carlisle. I betrayed Edward."
The gasp that escaped Esme made him cry harder.
"I can't tell you how much I regret it," Jacob hung his head in shame. "That isn't even the worst thing I did. I l-lied to you. To both of you. I…I helped Rosalie steal from you. F-From the firm."
"I can't believe this." Carlisle shook his head.
"How could you?!" Esme asked, tears in her eyes now as well. "Edward is your best friend – we treated you like our son!"
"I'm sorry, Esme."
"I'm getting my lawyer," Carlisle muttered. He had his phone out already as he glared at Jacob. "You better be ready to explain everything."
He clearly wanted to say more, but Bella's soft gasp voice stopped him. "Edward…"
Everyone in the room turned to the bed to see what she had, and they all had the same reaction.
Edward had opened his eyes.