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Chapter 8

"Are you awake, sweetie?" Esme asked, coming into my room.

I was awake, but I kept my eyes closed, pretending to be asleep. I hoped that if she thought I was sleeping, she might just leave me alone and I could pretend this day wasn't happening. I could pretend that I wasn't just about to get married to a stranger who I hated and probably would hate for the rest of my life.

Esme sat down on the bed and took my hands in hers. "I know you're nervous, but there is no need to be. I assure you, Edward is a good man." So everyone kept telling me. I had yet to see any evidence to support this claim. "He'll be a good husband to you. You'll both be happy, you'll see. It will all work out in the end."

A single, traitorous tear trailed down my cheek. Esme leaned over and wiped it away. "No tears, please. Today is a joyous day, it's the first day of the rest of your life. You're going to be so happy Isabella, so please don't cry."

I made no attempt to open my eyes or even speak to her. In all honesty, I just wanted to be alone to wallow in my misery and mourn for the life I would never have.

"The girls are downstairs," Esme said, after several minutes of silence. "We've ordered breakfast and the makeup artist and hairdresser will be here soon. It's going to be fun. We'll make a morning of it and before you know it, it will be time for the ceremony. Edward has even organized a surprise for you."

I rolled my eyes. I didn't want his surprise. I didn't want anything from him.

"You'll like this surprise," she said, squeezing my hand. "Trust me." When I didn't respond, she sighed a little. "Okay, well, we'll all be downstairs when you're ready."

I had to admit, her comment had piqued my curiosity. I wanted to see what Edward considered as a surprise. I didn't think he knew me well enough to get me anything. I also knew they wouldn't let me lie in bed all day; sooner or later they were going to drag my sorry ass out of here, probably kicking and screaming if need be. Now that would be embarrassing, especially if there were a lot of people downstairs. I wouldn't give Edward the satisfaction.

I got out of bed and stumbled towards the en suite, staring at my reflection in the mirror. I looked like shit. My entire face was red and blotchy, probably from all the crying I had done last night, and my eyes had bags big enough to carry a weeks worth of shopping. I certainly wasn't going to win any prizes for the most beautiful bride. Not that I cared. I didn't need to win anyone's approval.

I splashed my face and grabbed a hoodie from my dresser, before heading downstairs. Everyone had gathered in the main living room. I could hear all their voices, laughing and joking as if today was some sort of big celebration. I suppose to them it was.

I was all set, ready to grab breakfast in the kitchen and avoid them, when I heard her voice above all the others. Kate, my sister was here.

I raced down the stairs, taking them two and three at a time. I didn't stop running until she was standing right in front of me. It had been so long since I had seen her that it almost felt like a dream. There she was, standing in the middle of the living room, talking and laughing with Rosalie. The two of them looked so alike with their honey colored hair. They could almost pass as sisters.

"Kate," I cried out, tears blinding my eyes.

Kate turned around to face me and smiled. "Hey sis. It's about time you got out of bed."

I practically shoved everyone out of the way to get to her. I wrapped my arms around her and held her tight. "It's so good to see you," I wept into her hair, inhaling her familiar scent. "I've missed you so much."

"I've missed you too, Izzy" she said, hugging me back just as tightly.

"See, I told you that you would like this surprise," Esme said from my side.

I turned around to smile at her, my first genuine smile in days. "Thank you."

"It's not me you need to thank, it's Edward."

I nodded. Though, I knew I would have a hard time trying to thank Edward for anything. Maybe I would pop him a text later, so I didn't actually have to thank him in person. Though, I thought it would be unlikely that he would want to hear anything I had to say after he saw the dress.

"Why don't you both go to the kitchen and get some alone time before the makeup artist gets here? I'm sure you have a lot to catch up on."

That sounded like a great idea. I couldn't wait to get Kate alone. I grabbed her hand and dragged her behind me. I lead her to one of the more private tables by the large window. "I still can't actually believe you're here," I said, taking a seat.

"I know," Kate said, sitting down across from me. "Garrett wasn't going to let me come, not after everything that has happened, but Edward assured him that I would be perfectly safe here."

"After everything that has happened," I said, repeating her words, trying to make sense of them. "What are you talking about? What's happened, Kate?"

"Oh," Kate said, shocked. "Edward hasn't told you?"

"No," I said, shaking my head. "Edward hasn't told me anything."

Kate smiled, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "It's nothing to worry about. We'll talk about it later, after the wedding. I'm sure Edward never told you because he didn't want you to worry."

I was sure Edward didn't tell me because he didn't want me to know. He didn't care if I worried or not, but this was about my sister and if something had happened to her, then I had to the right to know. He should have fucking told me. Damn him.

"Forget about the wedding, just tell me," I demanded.

Kate shook her head. "No. I shouldn't have even brought it up. Just forget about it. It was silly of me."

"Damn it Kate!" I roared, banging my fist against the table. "If there is something going on and I want to know."

Kate jumped, my anger taking her by surprise, but I had a feeling that wasn't just it. She looked frightened, which I found puzzling. Kate had never been timid before. "Isabella," she snapped, "what the hell has gotten into you?"

"What has gotten into me? What has gotten into you!?" I shouted, standing up and leaning over the table. "Why are you keeping their secrets? Doesn't the word family mean anything to you?" Didn't the word family mean anything to anyone anymore?

"Is everything alright in here?" Rosalie asked, walking into the room, looking between Kate and me.

"Just peachy," I said, glaring at her. "Everything is just fucking peachy." I threw my hands up in the air and stormed out of the room, knowing that I wasn't going to get Kate to talk.

I didn't understand why she wouldn't confide in me or where her sudden loyalty to Edward had come from, but I didn't like it. I didn't like it one fucking bit.