Chapter 37 — Surprising Truth

To see and listen to the wicked is already the beginning of wickedness.

Confucius

Edward's POV

I had been surprised when Emmett hadn't ejected me from Carlisle's study while he had taken Bella's statement. Her statement was a little different from mine; she expounded upon what happened after she knocked me to the ground. The only thing Emmett asked that wasn't standard was: "So, you don't know how he went through the glass and over the edge?" He had pointed to the recorder as he asked. Bella had answered with a resounding "no," adding that he must have lost his balance.

A smile split my face as I remembered how Emmett started laughing the moment the recorder was off. He knew the truth, but his report could make no mention of her being a witch. If his superiors found out, it would cost him his job, but what else could he do other than report a half-truth?

The rest of last night was a blur. Bella had wanted to go to La Push and talk to Billy Black, Jacob's father. Despite everything she had been through with Jacob, she had wanted to pay her respects and personally apologize for something that wasn't her fault. She wouldn't be swayed into not going but accepted that it was too late to go right then and there. So, she and I were now heading to La Push.

"Bella, love, I don't think this is a good idea. No good can come of speaking with Jacob's father," I said, pulling over a foot or so behind the sign that read "Now entering La Push." Turning, I faced her, hoping she understood.

She sighed. "I appreciate you sharing how you feel, but I have to do this. My parents were good friends with Billy."

"Fine," I said, exhaling.

The clapboard house had once been painted red, but with the weather, it was faded. An elderly gentleman sat on the porch and didn't get up when I got out of the car. I raised a hand, acknowledging him as I walked around to the passenger side to help Bella out.

He still didn't stand but shaded his eyes. "Isabella," he croaked out, moving his hands to the sides of the chair he was in, pushing them forward a few times. He inched closer to the porch railing, and I saw the reason he didn't get up—he was in a wheelchair.

Bella covered her mouth with both hands. "Billy," she said. "What happened to you?"

Billy scoffed. "Nothing. Just old age. My limbs don't work like they used to." His eyes moved to me. "Who's this?" he asked.

"Edward Cullen, my fiancé," she said.

Billy's eyes went wide. "Fiancé?" He sputtered a moment before continuing, "I thought you and my son—"

"Billy, that was never going to happen. I don't love him," Bella said, soothingly.

"Hrmph!" Billy started moving, turning the wheelchair. "I have a letter inside that says differently, Isabella."

Bella and I followed him inside. The front room was comprised of a small sitting area with a television set and fireplace, an area for eating, and a kitchen.

"Found it last night," he said, shoving a folded sheet of paper out for Bella to take.

She looked at me. "I can't, Edward."

Reaching out, I accepted the letter, unfolding it.

Bella,

Tomorrow's my eighteenth birthday, and I fear that I'll not be the person you know and trust. I started to noticing changes in my demeanor two weeks ago, and though I hate to admit this, I don't blame you for breaking up with me. I don't deserve someone as good and caring as you.

I wish I could explain in person what I could become, but it's not safe for me to be around anyone, especially someone I love. So, I'll try to describe the situation I'm in with this letter.

As you know, my parents loved each other deeply. What you don't know is that my mother was a Demonic Sorceress. My father knew this and still loved her, hoping to change her. "Change" isn't quite the right word. I believed what he hoped was that by loving her, she would renounce her evil ways and use her powers for good. He failed and ended up having to hire a witch with "white magic," or "good magic," to kill my mother.

My father fears that I will become a demon like my mother.

No matter what happens to me, I want you to know I love you.

Jacob

P.S. It's been two days, and I've definitely become a demon. I, also, know who killed my mother—your parents. They'll pay, and then you'll be mine—forever.

I balled the paper up, stuffing it into my pocket. Emmett had to know about this letter. "Your son was a demon just like his mother," I said through clenched teeth, not wanting to throttle the poor man. "And you knew."

Billy hung his head, bringing his hands up to cover his face. "No, I didn't. I swear I didn't know his demon nature activated. I thought there was a fifty-fifty chance of him becoming one, but I never..." he said, trailing off. "I hoped he wouldn't and pretended he hadn't."

Pathetic, but I sympathized. There was something in Billy's voice—I believed him.

"I tried to save him, asking Renee and Charlie to deal with his mother, but it was too late. I'd waited too long. As my wife died, she told me on her dying breath she lied. Jacob would become demonic on his eighteenth birthday," Billy said, imploring me to understand the position he'd been in. "I couldn't kill my own flesh and blood or ask Renee and Charlie to do it."

So, he let him live.

Bella's gasp had both Billy and me turning to her. She'd gone white, her eyes wide; she swayed. My arms shot out, gathering her to me.

"Please, take a seat," Billy said, hefting himself out of the wheelchair and hobbling over to the kitchen sink. The water rushed out of the faucet as he filled a glass before he shut it off. Slowly he walked over, holding out the glass to Bella. "Here, Isabella."

Bella took it and gave him a weak smile. "Thanks." After taking a couple of sips, she handed me the glass. "I'm sorry, Billy. You shouldn't have had to go through all that. It must have been hard to order a hit on your wife."

A sad, yet wistful look appeared on Billy's face. "I loved her so much, but she wasn't willing to denounce her powers."

I can only imagine, I thought, stealing a glance at my love, my heart.

A hard knock came on the screen door. "Come in," Billy yelled.

I groaned. Emmett and his partner entered the small living area. Emmett's eyes drifted to me as his partner introduced them both.

"I'm afraid we've got some news about your son," Emmett said.

Silently, I urged Bella to stand and guided her back out to the porch.

"I thought Billy would've been informed by now," Bella said.

I shrugged, keeping an eye on the front door for when Emmett came out.

"What was in the letter?" Bella asked.

I ran a rough hand through my hair. "A little of what Billy said. I don't think Jacob knew he was going to change. He was hopeful that he had a chance of remaining who he once was."

Bella nodded. "Should I read it?"

I closed my eyes. "No."

"Self-defense?" Billy shouted from inside.

Bella stiffened next to me. "I have to tell him what actually happened."

"No, love, you don't. It was self-defense. You were protecting everyone in that cave."

"He deserves to know," she whispered.

I lifted my hand, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. "Would Billy knowing hurt him more?" I asked.

Bella was silent for a few moments. "Yes."

Sobbing could be heard from inside, and Emmett exited. "Do you know if he has any family?"

"No. He was an only child and had only one kid himself," Bella said. "Call the Clearwaters. I think they're still his nearest neighbors."

Once Harry and Sue Clearwater arrived, Bella was ready to go. It was hard for her to leave without telling him the truth about how Jacob actually died, but she understood that it would countermand the story Emmett told Billy and had written in a report to Interpol and the FBI.

Bella was quiet on the drive back to the Forks house—too quiet. Even her mind was silent, much like she was during the flight from Scotland. Something was bothering her. Waiting her out had somewhat worked that last time, but… Hell! She could be thinking about going back and telling Billy. "What has you so quiet?" I asked.

She shook her head. "Nothing," she sighed, running a hand through her hair. "It's just that..." Another sigh and her gaze turned to the side window. "I can't really put it into words."

My brow furrowed. "Try."

"With us being home, it doesn't feel right for others to be planning our wedding."

Throwing my head back, I let out a laugh. "I thought you were going to try and talk me into turning around."

She threw up her hands. "Like I would add fuel to the fire after you convinced me that he knew enough."

"Okay… so, our wedding. What do you want to change?"

Alice, Rosalie, and Esme had laid out what they had accomplished during breakfast. Esme had sketches of what the bar would look like, along with swatches of fabric. Alice had taken several pictures of her and Rosalie in various bridesmaid dresses. Bella had fawned over everything.

"Nothing. I only want to play a bigger part in the planning. Pictures are one thing but actually seeing the dresses in person is a whole other thing."

"Fine," I said, pulling into the driveway. "We'll head back to Seattle tomorrow morning, and then you, my sisters, and Mom are going dress shopping."

I turned in time to see a huge smile light Bella's face.

"And I want to invite Billy to the wedding."

"I know," I said, leaning across the console and stealing a kiss.

A/N: Thoughts?