Disclaimer: All characters belong to Stephenie Meyer

Give Me A Little Trust

Chapter Seven: Friend To Foe

Edward's POV

I was hoping to do it quietly, subtly and just generally out of the public's eye. But that all went down the drain within two days of me signing the divorce papers, and what was worse, I was betrayed by the one person I thought cared enough about me not to do that.

Splashed across every paper was me and how I was infertile. Apparently this seemed unusual for a ladies' man and that not only was I infertile but apparently rubbish in bed. That didn't much annoy me, just the fact that everyone, including my family, knew that I was a failure of a man.

When I saw the article mentioning me and my 'problem' I unplugged my phones, turned off my cell, and held myself captive in the makeshift study I had made. I scanned every article, every line that mentioned me and noted everything down that could have got me to the conclusion of who ratted me out.

It was basically a game of scoring out the names that wouldn't have done it. Now that automatically took Lauren off. As upsetting as it was to admit she wouldn't have done this, and how do I know? In the divorce papers I had an amendment made, saying that we were to refer to why we split as 'differences of opinion' and if Lauren said anything else she would lose the money and estate deal that I was currently offering her. It was more like a bribe to keep her quiet.

Either way she would be left penniless and out on the street. And since it seems like she's becoming a money grabbing gold digger, I know she wouldn't jeopardise her chance at what I was offering. So with Lauren off the list that left me with only two names Dr Marshall and Bella.

Doctor patient confidentiality meant that Dr Marshall could not have done this. I could have him stripped of his medical licence and sued so the risks were too high. He wouldn't do it. Which left me with a dilemma.

Bella.

Someone I thought was my friend. Someone I thought I could trust. Someone I thought cared about me. Obviously I was wrong and it hurt. I was pissed off, angry and irritated. How could she do this to me?

The papers, every single one of them, said that they got this information from a 'very close friend'. Now the only 'very close friend' who I could think of that knew about my infertility was Bella and as much as I hated to think that she could do this to me, it was the only explainable answer.

So I was bitter, angry, annoyed, upset, hurt and saddened. Betrayal was the worst offence in my book and the fact that it was Bella, which I still couldn't get my head around, just bewildered me. I wanted to crawl up and just lay there until this all disappeared. But there was no way I was going to let people see the faults I held.

I would go out, hold my head up high and get on with things like nothing has ever happened. Glancing at the clock I realised that I was still on time if I wanted to go to work and if I didn't, what else was there for me to do? Nothing. My mind was made up and I hopped in the shower before getting ready.

Everyone from the mailmen, secretaries, photocopy guys, sales assistants, designers, accountants, lawyers, human resources groups, chief of staff, security guards and even my own sister gave me the 'I'm sorry' look. I strode on, ignoring every one of them and just went to my office. I'd handle the personal stuff later, right now was work time.

I had just signed onto my machine before Alice knocked on the door and entered. She came in, hugged me softly while patting my hair and the set herself up on the desk, looking down on me. But she didn't stop there, no she held my hands, kissed my cheek and gave me the 'I'm so sorry Edward' look.

"Aw honey, I'm sorry." I sighed and shook my head.

"It's nothing Alice, now I'd like to get back to work if that's okay. I have a lot to do."

"Of course you do. I'll just go and get your secretary to clear a block for me this afternoon; we'll go out, get coffee and chat." She slipped off the desk, kissed my cheek again, with another look, then headed out the door.

I should start counting those looks; I was going to be getting a lot of them. Hell so far I've had roughly twenty two, including Alice's, and it's not even nine a.m. yet. God this really sucks and my day has just started, good to know what I'm looking forward to.

Bella's POV

I woke up and went through my usual routine, showering, getting dressed, making breakfast, then fetching my mail and paper. But that's when things changed. Of course my eyes were drawn to his picture and the headline about him.

His news was out. Not only did his family just find out but for anyone reading a paper this morning they know that Edward Cullen, business workaholic and once bachelor of the year, was infertile. Now this may not seem a big deal but Edward was obviously struggling to understand that he would still be wanted, whether he could have children or not, and not only because of his money.

I had to call him, it was a must. He had to have been feeling terrible and lousy and I gathered from our frequent talks that he liked the fact that he could talk to me about it. There was no response from his home number, it didn't even ring, and his cell went straight to answer machine. So I tried his office.

"Hello, Mr Cullen's office, how may I help you?" His secretary answered.

"I was wondering if you could put me through to Edward."

"And who may I ask is calling?"

"Bella Swan."

"Just one moment please." I was then put on hold and waited patiently.

"What do you want?" I heard Edward's icy tone ask which I was not expecting.

"Eh…Edward?"

"Yes."

"I just wanted to call and see how you are." I said, slightly worried with his mood towards me.

"You know what Bella I really don't think that should concern you anymore. I would really appreciate it if you no longer called me." Then he hung up.

Well that was not the phone call I thought I was going to get or what I was going to accept. I picked the phone back up and called him again. After the pleasantries with the secretary again I was put through but this time I didn't wait for him to say anything first. The minute I knew I was through I began.

"Okay I don't know what your problem is anymore Edward but I just thought I would be a good friend and call to see how you were. Clearly that was foolish of me since apparently you are pissed off and for some bloody reason you're pissed at me. So I would just like to ask you, what the hell is going on?" The line was silent for a few seconds.

"Why Bella? Why did you do it?" He asked, softly but with a hint of anger in his tone.

"What are you talking about?" I said confused.

"Was it worth it? Seeing my life splashed across every newspaper. Did they pay well? What?" He was angrier now but still talking in his normal tone.

"Edward, seriously, what the hell are you talking about?" I asked, getting a little annoyed myself now.

"You know what, I thought we had something Bella but I guess I was wrong. I just don't want to involve you in my life anymore. I'd prefer it if you didn't call back. Goodbye."

"Bye." I said this time before he hung up on me.

I was now seriously confused. I hadn't done anything but according to him I've done something monumental and it's hurt him badly. Well whatever, I can't deal with his petty mood swings. I was trying to be a friend and he doesn't want one so fine. I don't need him, screw it, I never needed him. He was just a nice thing to look at with a toddler's attitude. Definitely not someone I need in my life.

So that was that. The tiny possibility of us being together after his divorce just vanished in seconds. All because he's angry at me for God only knows what. And to think that I actually really liked him. Edward seemed the sort of guy that would be good for me, way out of my league, but good for me none the less.

Now I feel saddened and relieved to be shot of him. Saddened as I did like him and we could have no doubt had a great relationship together and relieved as I now didn't have to be stuck with his mood swings, which he seemed to get a lot.

But then that raised the question of what happens now? Especially with Alice and Rose. They are his friends and family so does that mean they are off limits to talk to or to see. I surely hope not, even though we haven't known each other long it feels like years since we became friends.

Alice and certainly Rose don't seem to be the types of people that will be dictated to by Edward or anyone else for that fact. So I should see them again, which is good news. Unfortunately it could be awkward or maybe even a little eye opening. I may get to know what caused this sudden change from friend to foe with Edward.

They surely would tell me, wouldn't they? I mean if I had in fact done nothing wrong, which I haven't, then they would tell me and then tell Edward. Right? Well I hope so. That could clear all this up and things could return to normal.

Though what was normal? The friendship I had with Edward certainly was nothing of normal. He was married, still is until the divorce is finalised, and yet he physically told me that I didn't go unnoticed by him, that if he wasn't married something would have happened. So that's why I don't get the complete one hundred and eighty turn around.

If things were going as good as they seemed I don't think we really would have been here. He let on that he trusted me but from what has happened its clear to me he never did, just wanted me to keep quiet.

Maybe that was what this was all about. Since I knew his secret about him being infertile he had to be nice to me, keep me quiet, perhaps play with my emotions and make me think he likes me as more than a friend when in fact he's just trying to protect himself. So he never trusted me at all, was just using the fact I liked him to keep me silent about the whole thing and know that it's out in the papers he doesn't need me anymore so has just ditched me on the side of the road.

Some friendship we really had, so filled with trust and honesty, my ass.

Yet even though I was hurt by this conclusion, there was still a small part of me that liked Edward and cared about Edward, even though he could have done that to me. And that's the part I hate about myself. The part that wants to care for someone who doesn't care for me. What rotten luck.