Please Don't Tell

by toriiamac

"I didn't know. I didn't know any of this was going on. I let myself hate her." the guilt washed over Edward in waves. Why did he let this happen? How could he have let this happen? His head fell back as the tears rolled down his face. Why didn't he just come home sooner? All human. Angst, romance, and a little pain. But hey, there might be a happy ending in store.

21. Chapter Twenty-One

He lied. He had to leave her for a bit. Once Edward was sure Bella had fallen asleep he kissed her forehead and walked out her door. He needed to punch something. Kill someone. He wanted heads to roll.

"Is it my turn?" Alice jumped up out of her seat when she saw him enter the waiting room. She had changed out of her yellow sun dress into shorts and tee shirt, and he was more than a little shocked at her state of undress. Her face was wiped clean, her hair pulled back into a tight ponytail. She looked like his little sister. A child. He wrapped his arms around her without saying a word, hugging her so tight she thought her eyes might pop out of her head. Edward hadn't touched her in years, much less hugged her. She felt warm tears drop onto her head and she pulled away, gazing up at him. "Is she okay?" She was panicked, fear creeping into her belly. "Please, God, tell me she's okay."

Edward wiped at his eyes and let his sister go. "She's fine Alice. Can you go sit with her while I talk to Jasper and make a phone call?" She could feel his stress, could feel his anger rolling off of him. "She's sleeping now, and please Alice let her rest."

Alice rolled her eyes and walked away, annoyed that he talked Bella to near exhaustion. She too had needs!

Once Alice was out of view, his eyes darted to his best friend, and soon to be brother. "I've got a job for you." Jasper was a private detective and a damn good one at that. There wasn't anything he couldn't find. It also helped that he was an expert hacker. "I need to find Bella's mother." He shoved his fists in his pockets, afraid that if he didn't he may punch someone. "All I know is her first name is Renee. She and Charlie were married briefly when Bella was a child, and she's remarried." Jasper opened his mouth to talk but he silenced him with a look. "Top secret. No one can know." He continued, "All I can tell you is that they need to pay."

Jasper's answering grin was all he needed to see. "Monetarily or other?"

Edward's eyes narrowed into slits, a smirk forming on his face. "Other. Definitely other."