Chapter 5: Unexplained Bruises

Nessie's POV

Carlisle didn't say anything for the longest time as he worked on my leg. I was beginning to worry that I'd said or done something wrong. That I'd given out way too much information about my family and he'd been completely put off by it.

"Is everything alright?" I couldn't take the quietness anymore so I had to ask.

"Nessie How did you get these bruises?" he suddenly asked completely ignoring my previous question.

I wondered what the hell he could possibly be talking about. So I looked and saw that he'd noticed some bruises farther up my leg that had nothing to do with the accident.

I decided to act stupid. "I don't know what you're talking about,"

"Nessie these look an awful lot like bruising from fists. I've also noticed bruising around your eyes. You might be able to hide it from most people with makeup but I'm not most people,"

"Really I-"

"You also mentioned that your husband doesn't know where you are and that it's imperative that he doesn't find out,"

I didn't say anything.

"Nessie is he abusing you?" Carlisle obviously wasn't going to let this subject drop any time soon. "Does he hurt your kids?"

"No,"

"No what?"

"He doesn't hurt my kids,"

"But he has hurt you?"

"Look Carlisle I'm sorry but I really don't want to talk about this,"

"Nessie I can't help you if you don't say anything,"

"Why do you even care so much when we just met?"

"I-well because I can't stand seeing a woman suffering from abuse that's why but fine I'll respect your wishes for now. But just know that I know and I won't stop asking you until you say something,"

I could see the sincerity behind his golden eyes. He truly did care about what happened to me and quite possibly the kids to.

"I think you and your kids should stay here for the night. Jacob already explained to Charlie and everyone else what happened so they know not to expect you later,"

"Thanks but I think I should be heading home,"

"Nonsense you're hurt and not ready in a shape or form to drive," he said with a warm smile.

I tried to stand on my leg which only confirmed his suspicion about being unable to drive. I guess it did make sense when my leg was broken.

"I'll get you some crutches,"

A few minutes later I was walking out of the room with some brand new crutches. I could hear everyone talking in low voices. About what? Who knew I guess.

My daughter had chosen to sit right next to Jacob. Jacob just smiled at her and paid rapt attention to the story she was telling. With the two of them sitting together their physical resemblance became even more apparent. Even their skin tone was exactly the same color. I wondered if Jacob even noticed the resemblance. Or had I just completely lost my mind and was imagining things?

Royce was playing with the big burly looking guy whose name I believe was Emmett. Rosalie would throw my son nasty looks once in awhile but I wasn't sure if my son noticed or not. I did know that he seemed to be avoiding all contact with her after the first incident though.

Exhausted from the day we all went to sleep early that night. They'd been nice enough to loan us pajamas for the night. They even had some for Sophie and Royce. Although they only had girl pajamas and Royce was not happy about that at all.

When I woke up early the next morning I found the house to be completely empty. Or at least that's what I thought until I saw Jacob sitting on the couch by himself looking completely lost in thought.

"You okay Jacob?"

His head snapped up when I spoke.

"Oh Nessie. Didn't notice you there,"

"I noticed," I snickered. "You looked really deep in thought,"

"I guess you could say that,"

"You okay?" I asked as I sat down next to him.

"Yeah just thinking,"

"About what?"

"Nothing in particular I guess,"

"You're a very mysterious guy Jacob do you realize that?"

"How so?" he asked with a small hint of a smile beginning to form on his face.

"You're not answering any of my questions that's why. I get it though if there too personal and you don't want to answer,"

"So you're married ha?"

"Yeah," I sighed.

"Is he the one that gave you all those bruises? Don't think we haven't noticed. That pajama top is a little revealing,"

I looked down and see that he's right. You could clearly see the bruises splattered across my chest. Great. So much for secrecy.

"Doesn't matter,"

"Yes it does!" his hands turned into fists and his whole body shook violently. "No man should get away hurting you like that! You deserve so much better than that!"

"I got away that's all that matters," I stated. "I got away and I plan on staying away,"

His fist slammed on the table so hard that a piece of it actually broke off. I was more than aware that I'd just admitted to him what I wouldn't admit to Carlisle last night. That I've been a victim of domestic violence.

"So why haven't you divorced the man yet? Is it because he's the father of your kids?"

"No. I haven't divorced him because either one of two things will happen. A. He won't give me the divorce. Or B, he'll give me the divorce but take full of custody of my kids just to hurt me. I know him well enough that he'd choose option B. He'll take Royce and Sophie from me even though he's not Sophie's biological father,"

He looked at me for more explanation.

"Technically he's not Sophie's father. Not biologically," I glanced at Jacob and it looked like he was about to hyperventilate now. He'd gone from angry to hyperventilating in three seconds!

"I've been suffering from amnesia so I don't know who her biological father is. When I first met Royce I already had her. When we got married he wanted to legally adopt her as his own and I allowed it. So legally he can take both of my children from me,"

Jacob was back to being angry now. Very angry.

"He's a man that comes from money. A lot of money that's been passed through generations. His family has a lot of money, power, and influence to get what they want. Me on the other hand? I've got nothing. I'm just some lost amnesiac woman that married into the King family,"

The rest of the family arrived home just seconds after I finished telling Jacob my story.

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