Author's Note: Let's see what Jasper's reaction will be, eh? And what will Bella do to take matters into her own hands? Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.


Chapter 28

Bella's Point of View

I was miserable. There was really no other word for it.

In the past two weeks, Edward had barely paid attention to me. He was constantly going out alone, and I knew he was leaving me to go see Tanya.

I grew increasingly quiet and stoic. Carlisle and Esme were starting to notice something was wrong, and even Jasper was starting to look suspicious.

Meanwhile, my baby bump was starting to show. And Edward didn't even say anything. I didn't even think he noticed.

Emmett and Alice were always there for me, though. They encouraged me to take action, whatever I was planning.

It was true that I hadn't called John Matthews yet. I was waiting until all of them were gone. But it was Edward who changed my mind.

He announced that he was leaving for Harvard three days earlier than he'd planned. He claimed that he had to study, or he'll fail his next exam.

Emmett, Alice, and Jasper, not to mention Carlisle and Esme, all stared at me for a reaction. Instead, I merely told him to go. They'd all looked surprised.

This was just perfect. I could start my plan as soon as he left.

And he did. He left within an hour of announcing that he was leaving. He flew away into Tanya's waiting arms.

"Why'd you let him leave?" Alice burst out.

I glared at her. Carlisle and Esme were on the first floor, but Jasper was still here.

"Oops," Alice said, covering her mouth.

Jasper's eyes narrowed as he leaned forward. "So something is going on. Tell me. What is it?"

I didn't answer.

"Damn it, Bella!" Jasper snapped. "I'm not an idiot. I knew there was something going on. I just didn't know what. Now that the cat's out of the bag, I think it's time I knew what's going on!"

I looked at him. But I didn't say anything. Instead, I merely touched my baby bump gently. I wasn't going to be the one to tell him. As long as Alice was the one that spilled the beans, she was going to tell him.

Jasper could tell that I wasn't going to open my mouth. He turned to Alice. "You tell me."

"Well, I'm not going to be involved," Emmett muttered. He started to get up, but Jasper pulled him back.

"Yes, you are," he snapped. "You two obviously know what's going on. I know that Bella's not going to tell me, so you're going to."

"We won't tell you a word," Emmett said, raising his chin arrogantly.

"Oh, what's the point?" Alice sighed. "He already found out anyway."

I got up slowly. And I walked out of my bedroom and went downstairs. I didn't want to see his reaction.

I sat on the sofa in the empty living room. And I took out the piece of paper and my phone. I dialed the number and held the phone to my ear.

"John Matthews," he answered on the second ring.

"Hello, Mr. Matthews," I said. "This is Bella Cullen."

"Ah, yes, Mrs. Cullen," he said. "The president told me that you might call. What is it that you need, ma'am?"

"Carlisle says that you're very good at finding out information?" I inquired.

"Please forgive my lack of modesty, but yes, I am. It's my job, actually, here at Cullen Corporations."

"Excellent," I said. "I have a job for you. Do you think you can come over to the mansion right away? Or is today not a good day for you?"

"No, ma'am," Mr. Matthews said. "I'll be right over."

"Good. Then I'll see you soon."

As soon as I'd hung up, there was a loud crash upstairs. Startled, I whirled around, clutching my stomach.

Jasper came charging down the stairs, looking half-mad. He'd heard everything.

"Jasper!" I said, alarmed. I quickly stepped in his path as he made to run past me towards the front door.

"Move, Bella!" Jasper growled. "I'm going to kill that bastard-"

"Jasper!" Emmett and Alice came running into the room. They stopped dead when they saw the Swan siblings having a staring contest.

"No," I said calmly. "You'll stay right where you are."

Jasper's eyes widened. "You've got to be kidding! That guy is cheating on you, and you want me to just stay still?"

"Calm down, Jasper."

"Calm down?" he nearly roared. "How can I calm down? How can I be calm when he's breaking his promise to me?"

Emmett and Alice merely gaped at him in shock, never having seen him lose control before. But I kept my poker face. His reaction was to be expected.

The kitchen door opened, and Carlisle and Esme came rushing in, alarmed by the loud voices.

"What's going on?" Carlisle asked, concerned. "Are you two having a fight?"

"Carlisle," Jasper growled, turning to him. "Edward is-"

"Edward's gone," I interrupted swiftly. "He's left already."

"We know that," Esme said. "But what was with the raised voices, Jasper?"

"Edward-"

"No, Jasper Swan!" I said sharply. "I forbid you to tell them."

Jasper turned to me incredulously. "You're kidding! They have to know! They have to know what a jerk their son is!"

"What?" Esme gasped. "Jasper! What…?"

Carlisle looked grim. He knew Jasper. He knew that my brother wasn't the type to make statements without a good reason. He was a reasonable man.

"Jasper," Carlisle said calmly. "What do you mean? Are you talking about Emmett?"

"Emmett?" Jasper repeated, sneering. "No. I'm talking about your youngest son, the one that asked my sister to marry him. The one that is my brother-in-law, and the one who is currently cheating on my sister!"

Esme gasped again, her hand flying up to her chest. "Jasper! What are you saying?"

Even Carlisle lost his calm composure now. He looked shocked by my brother's statement.

I closed my eyes in despair. "I told you not to tell them, Jasper. I told you."

"Oh, what's the point, Bella?" Alice burst out impatiently. "The cat's out of the bag now anyways." She walked forward briskly, stopping next to her lover. "Mom. Dad. You need to listen carefully. We're going to tell you something really important. It might affect all our lives, especially Bella's."

Esme looked like she was about to faint. "Edward…what…I don't…I…"

Jasper was glaring ferociously at the pair of them. He was breathing hard, furious.

Emmett and I were the only ones who were calm. He took control quickly.

"Why don't you sit down?" he suggested. "This may take a while. And…I'm pretty sure you'll be shocked."

Carlisle glanced at his wife, who was already hyperventilating. "Perhaps you're right," he decided.

He led Esme to a white sofa across from where I was sitting. They sat down, and Alice sat next to me gracefully. Emmett trudged over, sighing deeply and sat in the only armchair in the room. Jasper and I were still standing.

"Jasper," I murmured. "Sit down."

He stayed frozen.

Finally, I took his elbow gently and dragged him to my other side. I forced him to sit down, and he collapsed on it heavily. I sat down slowly.

"Now," Carlisle said, regaining his calm composure. "What did Jasper mean about Edward cheating on Bella, Alice? Surely, it's not true?"

Alice began telling her story. She told them everything. What she saw at Harvard, and how she'd told Emmett. Then, Emmett jumped in and told them how he'd warned Edward, but he didn't stop. He told them about what happened the night I found out.

"The reason he announced that he was leaving early was because of her," Emmett finished. "It's all true. Edward's cheating on Bella, and it's been going on for several months now."

Esme was rubbing her temples with her eyes closed, looking like she was still in denial. Carlisle looked grim, and he stared blankly at the coffee table.

"How could he do this?" Esme murmured to herself. "I don't believe it. I just don't… I can't… Perhaps you're wrong?" she asked, opening her eyes and addressing me. Her eyes looked pleading. "Bella. Maybe you're overreacting. Maybe there's a logical explanation for all this and maybe you're misunderstanding. Please, dear, think about it. Is Edward the type to do this to you?"

"That's why we told you it was that girl-" Emmett started to interrupt impatiently, but I waved him off.

"I know, Esme," I said quietly. "I couldn't believe it at first either. But after that phone call… Can you blame me for not being able trust him? I can't believe anything he says to me anymore. But I also can't believe Em and Alice's words. That's why…that's why I asked for his phone number, Carlisle."

Carlisle looked up, comprehension dawning upon his face. "You wanted to find more evidence. That's why you asked about John."

I nodded. "He's coming over right now. I called him thirty minutes ago."

Right on cue, the doorbell rang.

"I'll go get it," Alice offered, jumping up from the sofa.

A few minutes later, she came back in with a tall, young man. He was fairly good-looking, and he looked serious. That was good.

"Mr. Cullen," he greeted Carlisle. He nodded to everyone in acknowledgement, and he turned to me. "You wanted to see me, ma'am?" He glanced around the tensed faces of everyone.

"Yes," I said. "Please. Sit down." I gestured towards the remaining armchair. He sat obediently.

"You must be wondering what's going on," I said apologetically. "We have a little…personal family business. I'll tell you what it's about because it's related to the job I have for you, but you have to promise not to tell anyone about this."

He nodded. "I promise, ma'am."

"Good," I said briskly. "You know about Edward, I assume?"

"The youngest master, yes."

I smiled slightly, bitterly. "That's the one. The thing is… Edward has been cheating on me recently. And I just can't believe it. So I want you to bring me more evidence."

He looked at me. "Evidence, as in…pictures? You want me to catch him in the act, ma'am?"

"Whatever it takes," I said dismissively. "Photographs, videos, whatever. I just want to know how deeply related he is with his girlfriend."

He nodded calmly. "I'll need to know a few things, ma'am. Do you mind answering a few questions?"

"Go ahead."

"I'm telling you, this is pointless!" Jasper growled suddenly. "All he needs is a severe beating. I'll go arrange his face right now-" And he rose, intending on heading for the front door again.

I rose with him quickly and grabbed his arm. "No. You'll stay here, Jasper. You'll listen to me on this."

He turned back to face me, his face livid. "I swore to protect you, Bella. And he also swore to me that he would protect you. I told him that I would never forgive him if he hurt you."

"I know," I said softly. "I know. But I need you to trust me on this. I know that you've been caring for me all my life, and I'm sure that habit will be hard to break. But, Jasper…this is my business now. Edward is my husband, and I'm going to be the one to handle this situation. It's not going to be you, or Carlisle, or Emmett or Alice. Me. I need to handle this."

Jasper stared at me for a long moment. Finally, he relaxed slightly. "You're right. Of course you're right."

I relaxed too. "Now will you sit down and listen?"

Slowly, he sat back down. I copied him and turned my attention to John Matthews, who'd been waiting patiently.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Matthews," I said politely. "Go on."

He smiled slightly. "There's no need for formalities, ma'am. You can call me John. After all, it looks like I'll be working with you for a long time."

I smiled. "John, then. Go ahead and ask your questions."

He had a notepad and a pen in his hand. "What is the name of this girl you spoke of?"

"Tanya Denali," I answered.

"Do you know anything about her?"

I glanced at Emmett.

"She's in the same year as Edward at Harvard," he said helpfully. "She's an exchange law student. She came to Harvard when Edward came back to school after his honeymoon."

John wrote it down quickly. "Anything else?"

"Not that I know of."

"Very well," John said. "I shall inform you on a regular basis. I'll call you when I have a lead, ma'am."

I smiled. "Thank you, John. I really appreciate you doing this for me. Remember, don't tell anyone."

He rose to leave. "I won't tell a soul." He bowed slightly, and walked out of the room quickly.

"So you'll get evidence first," Jasper said slowly. "And then what will you do?"

"Confront him," I said simply. "I won't have my child growing in an unhealthy environment where her father cheats on her mother."


AN: So. She's calmed Jasper down, luckily. But I'm sorry to tell you, my friends…the sad parts are coming. Very soon. Though you may hate it, look forward to it! :)

Also, about my story, Golden Lifestyle. I realize it's been over a month since my last update. And as one fan was kind enough to remind me, the last update was in 2012. Yeah. Okay. So I'm almost finished with the next chapter. So be patient, guys, and it will be out before you know it. We all good? Thanks for your patience and continued support, guys!

Lastly, we finally hit four hundred reviews! Before the thirtieth chapter! :) Let me tell you, this is amazing. I feel so accomplished and proud. Remember, you guys are the reason I'm living and breathing in the fanfiction world. Thanks so much, and let's all continue to cooperate together and get each other what we need, eh? I give you chapters, and you give me reviews. So, now let's aim for five hundred! Do you think we can do it before the fortieth chapter? ;) Reviews, please!