I Wouldn't Leave If You Let Me

Summary: Sometimes, Jacob could be a little impulsive, grabbing her arm, shaking her, yelling, and, when the anger got to be too much to contain, Jacob liked to throw things, so Bella wasn't afraid. Because Jacob would never hurt her.

"The only thing more unthinkable than leaving was staying; the only thing more impossible than staying was leaving. I didn't want to destroy anything or anybody. I just wanted to slip quietly out the back door, without causing any fuss or consequences, and then not stop running until I reached Greenland."

― Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love

Bella winced as she was slammed into the wall, rough hands pinning her down. Jacob's head lay on her shoulder as they stood their chest to chest.

"Jacob, please-"

"Shut up, Bella," Desperation colored his voice. "You're not going to leave me,"

"I'm just going to college, Jacob," Bella whispered, and Jacob pulled back to look at her.

They stood there staring at each other, noses almost touching.

"You said that you loved me, remember?" Jacob's voice was deep with anger. "You need me…more than anyone,"

Bella knew she had to leave. Jacob wasn't in the mood to talk this through like rational adults and Bella wasn't in the mood to get into another shouting match.

Trying to push off the wall, she narrowed her eyes when Jacob's fingers bit into her arms and held her there.

This was nothing new. Sometimes, Jacob could be a little impulsive, grabbing her arm, shaking her, yelling, and, when the anger got to be too much to contain, Jacob liked to throw things, but Bella wasn't afraid.

Because Jacob would never hurt her.

Physical aggression by a man toward his partner is abuse, even if it happens only once. If he raises a fist; punches a hole in the wall; throws things at you; blocks your way; restrains you; grabs, pushes, or pokes you; or threatens to hurt you, that's physical abuse. He is creating fear and using your need for physical freedom and safety as a way to control you."
― Lundy Bancroft, Why Does He Do That?: Inside the Minds of Angry and Controlling Men