A/n: Tissue warning...no abuse...but emotions run high...

Ch12

I felt the bright lights before I actually opened my eyes. The panic started the minute I did open them as I was in a hospital room, in a hospital gown, lying on a hospital bed.

"Edward?" Bella's voice called from beside the bed and I slowly closed my eyes as I turned my face towards her.

I fought to keep the tears at bay. She knew, she had to have seen the bruises and the scars.

"Edward, you have to let me help you." Her voice was so close to my face, I felt her breath on my skin as she moved in over me.

I couldn't help the sob that escaped my mouth as I curled up into a ball on the bed.

"Please, Edward, please let me help you. I have experience with this type of situation. I can help you get away from her." She pleaded with me, her voice full of nothing but concern.

"I can't leave her." I managed to get out in between sobs and I turned away from Bella.

She sighed and touched my shoulder, it confirmed the fact that Bella knew about my injuries and scars because she placed her hand on a spot that was injury free. I felt like a failure and sick to my stomach all at the same time. I was so humiliated that sweet Bella knew what kind of a life I lead, how Tanya used and abused me. I just wanted to be alone with my emotions.

"Please leave me alone." I said as I attempted to stop the tears. I was a blubbering, embarrassing mess in front of her. I can only imagine what a weak man she saw me as.

I heard the door open and a voice I hadn't heard in over two years spoke, "Is he awake?" I definitely needed to get the hell out of here right now. I couldn't be around all of these people, Tanya would be pissed that I went to the hospital, much less when she finds out Bella and my parents were there. I would pay for this shit for months to come.

"Yes, dad, I'm awake. Now, would all kindly bring me my clothes and leave me alone?" I said over my shoulder, I never tried to look back and see them. I couldn't, I knew I would cave and I wasn't ready for that yet. My brain knew I needed to get out but the rest of me argued about the fact that Tanya would make good on all of her promises if I did. I couldn't allow that to happen either. So I grabbed the clothes and tried to get dressed with as much dignity as I could manage.

My dad sighed before I heard his shoes click on the floor as he walked around my bed.

"Son, please." His voice was full of pain and sorrow.

I kept my eyes closed because I knew that if I saw him I would completely break down. I couldn't let that happen. There was too much at stake, too much to lose, Tanya held all the cards and I couldn't get away without a shit load of trouble to the ones I loved.

"Dad, don't." I said with force, still not looking at him.

I felt his hand on my cheek, "What has she done to my beautiful boy?"

I swatted his hand away and yelled, "Leave me alone, please!"

I cracked my eyes open long enough to see him shake his head, then walk out of the room.

Fuck, Tanya is going to kill me when she finds out about this. That thought alone forced me to stand and continue to get dressed. I needed to get out of here now, so I pushed the nurse button.

All the while Bella sat in a chair a few feet away.

"I have the rest of your clothes for you, Edward." She said, with nothing but sadness in her voice as she stood up and walked to a small closet by the bathroom door.

She gathered them and brought them to the bed. "Please don't forget that I am available to help you, should you change your mind." Bella moved closer to me and placed her hand on my cheek.

"You are something special, Edward, your family is concerned and now I am, too. I'm begging you not to shut me out, as you've done them." She dropped her hand and walked out of the room.

My heart raced from her touch alone. I wanted to scream for her to help me, for anyone to help me. Please dear God, help me.

But I couldn't. I just couldn't.

No one could save me.

Tanya was going to go off the deep end when she found out about this and especially that I had seen my father.

I could try to lie to her and act like nothing happened, but she would find out, she always found out. It was like she had me micro-chipped or something.

I had just finished putting on my shoes when a nurse entered the room, "Yes, Mr. Cullen, what can I do for you?" Her eyes roamed my now dressed body.

"I'm leaving, there's nothing you can do for me, thank you very much." I told her and stood to leave, but immediately felt woozy.

"Mr. Cullen, please allow me to page the doctor so he can speak to you before you leave." She said quietly and perfectly calm.

I glanced at the clock, it was half past four. I didn't have time for this. "No, I'm sorry, it doesn't matter and I don't have time to wait." I walked to the door and opened it, only to see my mom and Alice standing in the hall.

They both turned and gasped as they saw me standing there.

I clenched my fists and walked away.

They both started to sob and it took all the will power I had to continue to walk away instead of run into the safety of their arms.

I grabbed a cab outside the hospital and cried the whole way back to the office.

The cabbie kept staring at me in the rearview mirror.

I paid him and walk into the parking garage as I realized I didn't have my cell phone with me. I was going to have to go back into the office.

Just as I got to the elevator it dinged and Bella walked off and pulled my arm behind her as she dragged me to my car.

Once we reached it, she stopped and faced me.

"Here is your phone and keys, I wasn't sure if you needed anything else out of your office but I turned everything off and locked it up." She handed me my stuff and sighed.

"I'm going to advise you against going home but I don't think you will listen. Edward you should know that I've spent the past five years working and interning in a Women's Protective Shelter, so I truly CAN help you, if you'll let me."

"Bella, I don't know what you think..." She threw her hand up over my mouth to hush me up.

"Save it. I've heard it all before. I programmed my phone number into your phone under speed dial number two. If you need it, don't hesitate to call me day or night." She sighed and stared at me for a second before she turned and walked away.

I got in my car and rested my head against the steering wheel.

In my head, I screamed at her to stop, turn around, come back, to please rescue me.