Where the Streets Have No Name

Chapter 104

"Edward, this is my daughter, Bella," Renee said with high spirits. "And Bella, this is Edward Cullen, Ella's dad and provider of my paychecks."

Edward turned to look at his houseguest and extended his hand in greeting.

"Hello, Bella," he said politely.

Hearing Renee talk about her daughter, Edward had constructed the image of a happy and cheerful teen. The girl who barely nodded her head and reluctantly shook his hand didn't match his mental picture.

For one, even though she was a bit shorter than her mother, Bella Swan appeared older than her almost nineteen years. Her eyes harbored storm clouds of trouble. She was a far cry from the happy-go-lucky kid he was expecting to meet.

Perhaps there was a more ominous reason behind her sudden visit than merely feeling homesick. Whatever the case might be, it wasn't his place to intrude. Renee was more than capable of helping her daughter.

He decided not to dwell on the matter.

"Renee, I don't have work today. I'll take Ella so you two can... well, just take the day off. Have a good time with your family," Edward announced as he reverted his eyes from Bella.

"Thank you, Edward. That's really sweet of you. But we haven't really made any plans yet. We can talk over breakfast and figure things out. What do you say?" Renee said as she looked from Bella to Edward who nodded their consent.

Settling Ella down onto the high chair proved to be a noisy affair. As per her usual morning routine, she clutched onto Renee, loudly and steadfastly refusing to be strapped down to the chair.

"Here, let me-"

"Let me help-"

Both Edward and Bella volunteered at the same time, and as they moved toward Renee to lend a hand, Edward's arm brushed against Bella's side. It was unintended and Edward apologized as courtesy would dictate, but not before noticing how Bella visibly flinched as though she had been electrocuted by the contact.

Her face paled and she looked trapped, as though she was holding herself on the spot by immense effort. Everything about the girl perplexed Edward. She wasn't the easy going conversationalist like Renee.

A troubled girl, he concluded.

He had only just met her but it seemed his presence was causing her distress.

Has she been through some kind of trauma? Victim of a crime perhaps?

He decided to give her as wide a berth as possible. Maybe he should offer to take Ella out for the day so the women could have the house to themselves. There weren't that many places he could go with Ella where she wouldn't grow bored and restless within the hour, but he would try to stay out as long as possible if that's what the Swan women needed.

Setting aside his musings, he stepped up to gently untangle Ella's grip on Renee and help strap her down at the table.

Renee, far too occupied with placating Ella, didn't notice the awkward moment that had come to pass between her daughter and Edward. She proceeded on to the meal with her usual light hearted grace.

Edward did his best to avoid looking at Bella again, lest his perusal made her feel uncomfortable. But he couldn't shake the unsettling feeling that the young girl sitting beside him at the breakfast table was deeply unhappy and was trying to hold back tears.

He wished he could help, but didn't have the slightest clue how to broach the subject.

Or whether he should.

No, it's none of my business, he concluded, and tried to train his thoughts on his own affairs. Though he couldn't claim to be tremendously successful.

Thank you Lulabelle98, HeidiJoVT, and Dinx.

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