"Swallow it down, what a jagged little pill
It feels so good, swimming in your stomach
Wait until the dust settles
You live, you learn
You love, you learn
You cry, you learn
You lose, you learn
You bleed, you learn
You scream, you learn"

- You Learn, by: Alanis Morissette

Hourglass:
Chapter 15

-Bella POV-

I didn't know what to expect when I arrived the hospital an hour after checking in with my dad, but Rose's flat out rejection to testify definitely wasn't it.

I can see the absolute terror in her eyes as I explain that Royce's grandparents' lawyer has been on the phone terrorizing Charlie all day, and that they're going to have to release him within the next forty-eight hours.

I try convincing her that the only way we can keep him behind bars is for her to testify, but she won't. She knows how big of a risk it would be to go up against the King family.

And at the end of the day, Rosalie thinks that she has a higher chance of getting away from Royce if she just moves on from it and lets him go his own way. Basically, she's telling me that even though he raped, beat, and left her for dead—she still isn't going to do shit to put him behind bars.

At first, I am furious. The rage running through me feels like a hundred little angry men running up and down my body, trying to crawl out of me and make me do violent things a young lady should never do. Like stomp into the Forks Police Department and beat Royce within an inch of his life.

Thankfully, Edward has accompanied me to the hospital, and he will not let me do anything so stupid and reckless. He tries in his own way to get her to cooperate with the investigation and testify, but she can't be persuaded. She stands firm in her decision. I grit my teeth and turn away so she doesn't see how angry I am.

I'm not mad at her, but the entire situation is eating me alive, and I need to find a way to blow off some steam. My internal rant is interrupted when my cell phone rings and Jasper's name flashes across my screen.

"I have to take this," I say over my shoulder as I step from the room and flip open my phone.

"Hey, Jasper." I sigh tiredly.

"Hey, Bella. How's Rosie doin'?"

My signal is a little muffled, so I make my way outside and sit on a bench. I fill him in on the latest development and Rose's decision to not testify.

"Damn it, that son-of-a-bitch has her scared," Jasper curses.

"I know, and I can't get her to budge. If she doesn't testify, there isn't any proof that he's done this to her. I don't even think they could fine him." I rub my face and rest my elbows on my knees as I cradle the phone to my ear.

"We won't let him get away with this, Bells. I'm on my way. I'm at the airport in Houston, just about to board. When I get there, I'll talk to'er, try to reason with'er," he drawls soothingly.

I sigh and nod my head, even though he can't see me do it. "Okay, sounds good. See you soon. Oh wait, are you renting a car in Seattle, or…?" I trail off, waiting for him to answer.

"Yeah, I already called ahead to reserve a car. No worries. See ya soon." My phone beeps, signaling the end of our call.

I close my phone and put it back in my pocket. When I look up to the sky, I notice the clouds are breaking up and the late afternoon sun is slightly poking through them.

After taking a couple of minutes to soak up the rare sunshine, I blow out a heavy breath and head back inside.

My frustration is eating at me. I want nothing more than to go home, bury myself in my bed, and forget this entire situation. I know I can't, and it would be a really shitty thing for me to do. I just can't help but wish that Rosalie would finally stand up for herself and end Royce King's hold over her.

Just as I'm about to enter her room, I feel my cell phone buzz in my pocket again. This time, I quickly walk toward the waiting room as I flip my phone open.

"Hello?"

"Yes, Isabella, it's Marianne Hale." It's Rosalie's mother.

Finally one of her parents returned my calls.

Her clipped tone and formality instantly pisses me off. I've been best friends with Rosalie all of my life, and for the life of me, I have not been able to get her mother to call me Bella.

"Yes. Did you happen to get my messages?" I hiss, barely getting it out through my contempt for her.

Marianne Hale, for the length of time that I have known her, has always been a cold and calculating woman. She's a social climber, and she's more worried about her image in society than her own child. I can't count how many times she dumped Rosalie off at my house when we were growing up, just so she could follow her husband, Peter, Rosalie's father, around to whatever gala or political fundraiser he had to attend.

I can imagine that being married to a successful politician would be demanding, but even when she did have a little spare time, she never spent it with Rose. Rosalie found more of a mother in Jasper's mother and the family housekeeper than her own—and in mine, of course.

My thoughts are interrupted by Marianne's curt response.

"Yes I received the messages. What is it that Rosalie has gotten herself into this time?" she asks snidely.

Fuck you! You worthless, soul-sucking, pathetic excuse for a mother!

My body shakes with rage, and I clench and unclench my fist tightly while I take a few seconds to breathe deeply. Acting irrational won't do any good, and if anything, this bitch is just baiting me. All throughout my friendship with Rose, her mother has always tried to make me feel like I'm just cheap trash, so she can look down her nose at me. This definitely wouldn't be the first time she's aroused my temper.

"For your information, Mrs. Hale, Rosalie hasn't done anything. She was attacked last night, and if you had bothered to listen to your messages, you'd know that she's in the hospital," I say through my teeth.

I can almost hear her rolling her eyes. "I don't think it would be wise for Peter and I to cut our trip short all because she's fallen and bumped her head."

… … … I know it would be impolite to verbally kill her through the phone, but if it were possible, I'd be doing it.

"Mrs. Hale, with all due respect, please clean the fucking shit out of your ears and listen to me. Rosalie was raped and nearly beaten to death last night by Royce. She almost fucking died. I'm sorry that you feel no need to take time out of your social climbing extracurricular activities to come home and tend to your daughter. I really shouldn't have expected more from you, but if you feel the need, and it isn't too much of a bother, could you please pass the news on to Pete? I'm sure he'd like to know. Jasper is already on his way. Also, unless we move fast, Royce will be released within the next thirty-six hours or so. Not that you give a shit. Now, if you don't mind, I need to hang up the phone. You see, I have a best friend to take care of. Have a nice day, Mrs. Hale." I slam my phone closed roughly and drop down into one of the chairs.

What the fuck am I doing?

How can I save someone who doesn't want to try to save herself?

As I sit and stew on even more anger and bitterness, I think to myself, I wonder if I could pull some strings and somehow throw Marianne Hale into Royce King's jail cell.

A/N: Let me know what you think. :)) If there's something you'd like to see more of, or y'know, that sorta thing. ;)
Love you guys!

xxoo,

Missy