Author's Note: So… What will our heroine do? Punch him? Nah, I'm just joking… ;) Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.
Chapter 26
Bella's Point of View
When I woke up the next morning, I realized that it was too early. The light in the window was still dark, and I knew that it must be around six o'clock.
But last night's events flooded through my mind, and I couldn't fall back asleep.
I took a deep breath to clear the lump in my throat. I had to take action. I couldn't afford to break down. I needed to find out if Edward really was cheating on me.
That phone call from the girl was nothing. I still couldn't believe anything without further proof. And I was going to get proof.
I was going to clear this before my daughter could be born. I would never allow her to live in this environment. I was going to provide her with the best situations possible, and eliminating a cheating father would be the first step. If he was really cheating, I would put a stop to that.
I got up carefully and stared at Edward's peaceful face. How could he sleep through all this?
Had he really even loved me? Or had that all been just talk? And what about all those times he'd told me that he loved me? Had that all been a joke too?
Had marriage been such a light matter to him? Was I not important to him? Was he just toying with me? Did he really think that I was nothing compared to that girl?
I looked away before I could start crying. I had to remain strong. For myself. For my baby.
I got up quietly and went into the bathroom. Ten minutes later, I came out, freshly showered and dressed.
After another glance at my husband, I slipped out of the room quietly with my phone in my hand. As I walked down the stairs carefully, I looked at my phone and saw that it was only six-thirty.
That meant that I was the first one up. I had beaten even Esme, who always got up precisely at seven to make breakfast.
For the first time, I wasn't hungry. I actually felt sick. It had nothing to do with morning sickness or the flutters in my stomach. It had to do with my husband cheating on me.
I walked out into the gardens and into the cool morning breeze. The wind felt nice against my skin, and I settled down on the comfortable hammock bed.
I swung back and forth lightly, my face devoid of any expression. What did I have to do?
For a long time, I sat there, swinging and thinking. What was the best choice for us? What did I want to do? Did I want to confront Edward? Did I want to tell Jasper and let him handle everything?
I quickly threw away the last option. This was our business. Although I was always thankful for my brother's help, I knew that I had to be responsible now. I had to handle my own problems.
Finally, I decided on the safest choice. I wanted to find out more about Edward and Tanya's relationship. How deep were they? When had this all started? And who was this girl that was trying to take my husband away from me?
Who would be the best man for the job? I knew I couldn't have Emmett or Jasper doing it. They would be busy with their studies, and I didn't want them to be worried about me. I was no pushover.
"Bella?" Alice asked, breaking my reverie. She walked over to me and joined me on the hammock. "What are you thinking about? How long have you been up?"
"Since six-thirty," I said honestly. "I couldn't sleep."
"Well, it's seven-thirty now," Alice said, studying me worriedly. "What have you been thinking about?"
I sighed as I leaned my head back on the cushions. "I was wondering what to do, actually. I was asking myself what the best choice for me was right now."
"What are you going to do?" she asked. "What did you decide?"
My mouth twisted. "I'm going to find more evidence."
"What?"
"This isn't enough to confront him," I said determinedly. "I'll gather more evidence and spring it on him. I'll make him confess and apologize. I won't give birth to my child when her father is cheating on her mother. I'll end all this before the baby comes."
"Bella…" Alice whispered. She stroked my hair gently. "I'm so sorry. If I could do anything…anything at all to help you…"
"Maybe," I said, smiling bitterly. "But not yet. Just don't tell Jasper. He'll flip when he hears what's going on."
Alice and I were lost in our own thoughts. We were both startled when Esme called us in ten minutes later for breakfast.
"Carlisle?" I asked innocently as we all ate breakfast together in the huge dining room. "Do we have someone trustworthy in the company? Someone who's good at finding and gathering information?"
Alice choked on her sip of orange juice, and Emmett's sausages fell off his fork. Both stared at me.
Thankfully, no one noticed their strange behaviors.
"Why, yes, I think we do," Carlisle answered, looking surprised. "Why, do you need something, Bella?"
I smiled. "Yes. I'm actually trying to find out something for my friend. Do you remember Angela Weber? She asked me to help her find out something about her family's ancestry. She's been tracking some kind of a family heirloom."
It was an innocent enough alibi. I would tell Angela to go along with the story later.
"Oh, of course, Bella," Carlisle said immediately. "I think John Matthews would be the right man for the job. He's good at that kind of stuff."
"John Matthews…" I mused. "I see. Can you give me his number after breakfast, Carlisle?"
He smiled warmly at me. "I'd love to."
I could tell Alice's inquiring gaze burning a hole in my head, but I didn't acknowledge her curiosity. Edward was looking at me strangely, and I didn't want to give anything away.
I didn't miss the fact that he was steadily ignoring me all through breakfast.
AN: Uh-oh… What's she planning now? Heh. Reviews, please!
