~Bella's POV:~

I sighed, suddenly having the nagging suspicion of what this talk was about.

"Can this wait? Edward and I were talking about private matters." I interrupted, trying to get more time.

"Talking?" My Nonno asked, suspiciously.

"Yes, talking. So, can this wait? We're almost done." I promised, as I stood up from my seat.

I could feel Edward's gaze on me, every time I moved around the room. It caused my skin to heat up. Like a wave, starting from the crown of my head to the sole of my feet.

I hated that I couldn't control the reactions of my own body when it came to Edward, but I sure as hell could try.

"Ahh, I see… We'll give you a few more minutes, then we'll be back." My Nonno said, smiling as he led everybody out.

Jasper set the plate of food tray down on the small table before following everyone out.

The moment the door closed behind everyone, Edward looked in my direction again. This time he raised a brow at me, in question.

"You told me everything that happened to you in the last five years. Now, I want you to know something." I finally said.

"Oh? And what is that? More secrets?" He asked, his left hand going into his already disarrayed hair.

I looked away, pushing my emotions back, before looking up to meet his expectant gaze.

"It's about... Jacob Black." I finally said, swallowing around the knot in my throat.

"What about him?" He asked, as he went rigid on the cot, hands forming into fist, as he clenched his jaw.

"I lied to you at Aro's wedding when I told you that I liked Jacob. I never really felt anything besides friendship towards him, well maybe loathing and disgust, but those feelings evolved recently." I mumbled out.

"Why did you lie then?" He asked, confused.

I could see the underlying hurt in his eyes. The sight made me feel remorse for my past actions. Had we just talked, this all could have been avoided, but I acted like a brat and refused.

"Because I was angry with you. I was hurt, and I wanted to hurt you just as bad as you hurt me." I admitted, ashamed.

"Isa, I'm so sorry. I thought the less you knew of the situation, the less danger you'd be in if we couldn't stop Viktor." He said, shaking his head sadly.

"There's more…" I murmured, playing with the chain around my neck.

"What? What do you mean 'there's more'?" He asked, apprehensively.

"While I never liked him more than a friend, he knew this. As it turns out, Jacob is very manipulative. In fact, he's actually the reason why I ended up changing my number, and phased you out… I regret it now, though." I reveal, crossing my ankles again.

"Does that mean—?" He asked, distractedly.

His eyes went back to my legs for some reason, looking up and down the length of them. I clear my throat to gain his attention.

"You should also know Jacob is an asshole and also suspected something was going on within the family; the last night I saw him was the night I witnessed what happened to Irina and Vicky. " I informed him. "He had begun to get possessive and obsessive. Wouldn't allow me to talk to anyone else, tried to control more aspects of my life, which I refused to allow. I only ever agreed to date him because of what Thanya told me before I happily beat the crap out of her." I mumbled.

"Wait. What did Thanya tell you?" He asked, confused.

"That you two had been sleeping together, for a really long time." I replied, waiting for his reaction.

"You thought—? That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard! Her mere presence and perfume alone made my skin crawl." He said, shivering in disgust.

I would know. Her perfume used to make everyone in the house gag. Even the helping hands.

"She seems like the perfect fit for Jacob. Once Thanya told me this bit of information I left Aro and Sully's wedding…Later, Jacob convinced me to change my number." I finished quietly.

He nodded in response before turning to look at me,"How did things end with that dog?" He asked, curiously.

"I had to stop myself from killing him in the restaurant. As it turns out he had been cheating on me with two girls who lived in the same building as him." I said, disgusted.

Not that I didn't feel relieved. I did. A bit too much relief to be honest. Who knows how many diseases he was carrying? I sure as hell didn't stick around to find out.

After remembering everything that happened that night, I blinked back into the present to see Edward's vein popping out on his forehead. 'Oh boy.' I thought, rushing to his side.

"Did the two of you ever…do anything?" He asked, sounding like he was being strangled.

"The most we ever did was hold hands and even that shit grossed me out." I say, wrinkling my nose in disgust.

His answering laugh was enough to break the tension. I find myself smiling with him.

"Are you keeping tabs on him?" He asked.

I was, in fact, keeping an eye on him, since I had a sinking suspicion something was about to happen, and it involved Jacob Black.

Before I could respond, the door was suddenly pushed open, surprising the both of us.

"Your time alone is now up." My Nonno informs us, walking back in.

"Fine." I replied, pulling up a chair and sitting down next to Edward.

"Nonno, Mr. Swantorini. What's going on?" Edward asked, calmly, though I could see him holding back his amusement.

"Your father informed Felipe of what happened five years ago. " Edward's Nonno informed us.

"Did you also mention how you three kept the value of the Oath from me, and only relied on me to deal with female problems?" I asked, dryly.

"That—that isn't true." Senior said, swallowing loudly.

"Is this true?" My Nonno asks, appalled.

I should clarify what happened but I was enjoying putting Senior on the spot.

"No, it isn't. A few weeks after Isa moved out, I asked to speak to her. When we spoke I asked her whether she still wanted to be a part, when Clausola Femminile was activated. She agreed, well, only if it was to be kept from Junior here. So, I agreed." He replied, shrugging at me, amused.

"It's a joke. You should try it sometime." I quip.

"Piccola Marmocchia." My Nonno says, rolling his eyes at me. (You little brat.)

"I am." I confirm, shrugging unashamed.

Causing all the men in the room to chuckle in response.

"All joking aside, Nani has made a request to you, Isabetta, do you wish to complete her dying wish or do you wish to forgo it?" My Nonno asked, staring intently at me.

I swallowed around the sudden knot that formed in my throat. "Well...I—" I began, gluing my sight to my lap.

The thought of losing my Nani was painful. It saddened me once more as I remembered Nani's last request.

"I—I don't know…" I finally murmured, nervously.

"Dolcezza, you and Junior here have been practically married for five years. All you're doing is making it official before God, and man." Edward's Nonno says. "It's tradition." He adds.

Are they being serious, right now? How the fuck is it alright to hide all this shit from me for the last five years and act like it was nothing? How was that okay?

Oh no, that isn't going to work.

Edward sensed my underlying anger, quickly caught my right wrist as I shot out of my seat onto my feet.

"Amore, calmati." He calmly says, as his thumb soothingly rubs circles within my wrist. (Love calm down)

This only made me want to hit him, but I refrained from doing so.

"You expect me to just marry someone, due to a tradition?" I spat out, trying to calm myself down.

Jasper took a slow, cautious step towards me, hands raised as if to stop me.

I always hated that they treated me like this. Like I didn't know what was best for me. It always made me edgier than normal.

"Jasper, I know you are trying to help me, but if you come any closer, I will shoot you in the balls, and I won't miss this time." I threatened, trying to pull my wrist free.

This, of course, only caused Edward to tighten his grasp around my wrist a bit more. I was just about to yank again, when he suddenly pulled me back, causing me to fall into his lap.

This gave him a chance to wrap his arms around my waist, squeezing me to himself. "That's enough violence for one day don't you agree, princess?" He whispered into my ear, causing me to stiffen on his lap.

"There's never enough violence." I grit out.

"Proverai a calmati, per mi, per favore?" He asked me. (Will you try to calm down, for me, please?)

"No, non voglio." I mutter, pouting, as my body sags against his, against my better judgment. (I don't want to.)

This causes him to sigh, relaxing slightly.

In a snap decision, I chose to grasp his thigh, and squeeze as hard as I could, causing him to loosen his grasp and let me go. Letting out a pained groan as both of his hands clasped his wounded thigh.

I quickly hopped off his lap and went to sit back on the chair, crossing my arms over my chest, indignantly. I needed air, I needed to clear my head. Soon, or someone else would endure my rage.

'Do it for Nani.' My subconscious chanted.

Nani, she doesn't have much time. This was her last request. How could I deny her that before she left?

Why is this so damn difficult? Why?

Great. Now, I felt like crying again.

"I understand that you are furious with them, tesoro, but what is the real reason why you don't wish to marry Junior officially?" My Nonno asked, gently.

"Nonno, you have forgotten the most important tradition of all." I retorted.

They all looked at me confused. God, have men always been this slow?

"...and what is that, principessa?" Edward's Nonno asked me.

I stared back at him unafraid. "I haven't been asked to marry anyone." I told him plainly.

They all frowned in response, looking at each other.

"The way I see it, not many people know of the famiglia's customs. So, what's stopping me from walking away? Yes, I've made the Oath but really nothing stops me from walking out of here, gathering my bags and disappearing forever. So, again I ask. What is stopping me?" I ask, trying to keep from pulling out my gun and letting go of a few rounds.

"Tradition states that once the Oath has been made you are bound to the famiglia, forever. Official or not, you two are married in the eyes of the famiglia, for you to leave...it would be considered betrayal, and be putting a target on your back. There is no other way out of this, Isabetta." My Nonno explained, sadly. "You are my only granddaughter. If I allow this to happen, I will have failed your father again. I can't let you go, please, dolcezza." He pleaded.

Remorse formed a knot in my throat, as I thought about the pain and remorse he must feel. I couldn't allow him to keep feeling that.

With that thought, I knew my decision had been made… I slowly turned to look at Edward, watching as he recoiled, under my unwavering gaze.

Another wave of betrayal hits me, chilling me where I stood. More bindings. More anger. More irresponsible actions and wrongdoings. Yet no consequences, how disappointing.

"Isa…"

I shook my head in response. "Things have changed a lot in the past five years, Edward. I have changed. Don't think that because I made the Oath when I was a stupid adolescent, that it means I will bow down to your every whim. I am a Swantorini, afterall. I promised you all I would do this before I came here, and I will not bow out of that promise, even though I have more than enough reason to." I told them.

"Isa, if there is any way we can make it up…" Edward's father began before I cut him off with a wave of my hand.

"I don't want to hear it… your actions have spoken for themselves… Just know, that you have all lied to me, and where my loyalties once laid, they no longer do." I spit on the floor in front of them, pushing them out of the way and heading out of the room.

As I walked back to my parents' old room, I thought of all I had learned. Most of my suspicions had been confirmed.

The Oath was something that ran deeper than a marriage, or any verbal promise. It was a blood oath. Edward and I had always had a deep connection, even now I still felt it.

I shook my head, stopping all the thoughts and pushing away the emotions.

As I got to the room, I realized I would probably be sleeping here.

I wasn't planning on leaving the room, I didn't feel the need or want to. So, I locked it, and walked over to the bed. Slipping off my shoes, before changing into one of my brother's old t-shirts.

I was tired of the lies, I was tired of my feelings being pushed aside. I was just tired of everything.

I had just gotten settled into bed when I heard a knock on the door.

Who the fuck could it be now? Had one of those idiots followed me here?

The knocking grew insistent. Maybe if I— "I'll just keep knocking if you don't open." He threatened.

With a scoff, I climbed off the bed and padded barefoot over to the door, unlocking it before stepping back annoyed.

"What do you want?" I snapped, looking away from him.

"Itsa, I only wish to talk." He said, putting his hands up in surrender.

"So talk. I'm listening." I say, leaving the door open, as I walk back, go to the bed, and pull the blankets over my legs.

"How are you feeling?"

How did he think I was feeling? Happy? If my mouth didn't say it my face sure as hell did.

"Alright, stupid question. How are you doing?"

I stared blankly at him. He seemed to be getting nervous now. "I'm tired." I finally say.

His confused expression told me that he didn't understand. So, I realized that I would have to elaborate more.

"Jasper, I just found out I have been practically married to your brother for the last five years, and that if I try to leave I will be murdered. How do you think I feel? Happy? Delighted? I'm fucking furious. My Nani is dying, my brother knew all of this and chose to keep it hidden, and on top of that, all of this is—all of this is overwhelming." I inform, tearfully.

I couldn't hide or avoid them longer, frustrations and emotions were getting the best of me.

"I'm so sorry. I tried to tell you, so many times, but someone always walked in. I can't tell you how many times I wanted to tell you only to be stopped by one of my brothers, my father, or my Nonno."

"Why didn't Edward tell me?" I asked, tired.

"Oh, he tried too. Many times as well, but as I said before, neither of us were successful."

I shook my head, and

"Well, what now?" I ask him.

He smirks at me,"Now you show everyone why you are the most dangerous woman in the States." He says, patting my burritoed feet, before getting up and walking away.

'Oh...this could definitely work.' I thought, smiling to myself before laying back and falling asleep.

Edward's POV:

We all watched as she shoved Jasper, my Nonno, and Mr. Swantorni out of the way as she walked out of the room, slamming the door behind her, causing us all to flinch.

Emmett sat up, eyes wide as he looked around glassy-eyed. "What the hell was that?!" He cried, before sitting back once more.

"Isabetta knows about the Oath…" Mr. Swantorini said, running a hand through his salt and pepper hair.

He bit his lips, looking at us nervously. "How did the sorellina react when you explained everything?" He asked.

"She's deliberating." Nonno says.

"How so?" Em asks.

"We all kept the true depth and meaning of the Oath from her, even after she practically begged us to tell her. Yet, we all betrayed her loyalty, love, and compassion for others, even going as far as using that against her. It's not that she can't or won't forgive us. It's that, now that she knows, there will be hell to pay." Nonno replied, calmly.

"How so?" Em asks.

"The way she sees it is as betrayal. What does an animal do when cornered?" Nonno asks Em.

"Oh shit. She fucking lethal when she is on a rampage...Fuck…" Em says.

Suddenly all eyes turn to me.

"What?" I asked, gulping nervously.

"She is your wife. Surely, you must realize what she'll do." My father says.

I closed my eyes, willing the throbbing on the side of my head to go away. "If you are asking me to help protect your asses. Then my answer is no. I'm staying the fuck out of this. My ass already got shanked and shot today. I'd like to keep my balls intact and where they are, thank you very much." I say, shaking my head at them.

"Son…"

The door opening and closing made us all turn towards it, expecting to see Isa again. But to my disappointment and relief, it was only my brother Jasper.

"Well…?" My father asked, anxiously.

"Well, what?" He asked, sitting in the chair Isa had vacated earlier.

"Did you talk to her?" My father asked, plainly.

"Yes, I did." Jazz said, looking at me, nodding once at me.

Thank fuck. Maybe now she'll forgive me for this mess.

Though something was telling me that I was far from being forgiven.

I sighed in relief. "When can I leave?" I asked, turning to my brother.

Carlisle looked at the antibiotic bag and the empty IV bag before looking down before looking back at me.

"Maybe. In an hour or two." He says, calmly.

I nod before laying back with a sigh, I could feel all their eyes on me as I did, but I remained silently, stewing in my thoughts.

After a while, I need to speak to my Isa, beg for her forgiveness, grovel if I have to.

Those were the last thoughts to cross my mind before I tiredly drifted off into a dreamless sleep.