DISCLAIMER: The story doesn't belong to me; the characters are property of S. Meyer, and the plot belongs to Annalau Thank you so much for letting me share your story in English!

Gracias Laura, por darme esta oportunidad!

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Chapter 4

Opinions

Something happened between us since that early morning.

Maybe it was the feeling of pride that took over me and prevented me from going back to look for her and clarify our discussion, I didn't know exactly what happened, but I didn't want to see her.

After three weeks we didn't cross words and we didn't send any text either. Angela, a great friend in common, was the one who began to play the role of mediator between us. I didn't want to know if it was at Bells' request or because she wanted to smooth things over between the two of us.

Angela took it upon herself to be outside the house with Eric in her arms. She went for him every Wednesday and every other week.

Eric and I still had that father-son complicity, although I had to add that now he talked more about Bells and the new routine they shared together; they went to the park and ate ice cream. They also visited Grandpa Charlie.

Between his short conversations I discovered that they stayed several nights at Charlie's house. My father-in-law was a widower and... I shook my head, shaking my head. It was hard not to call him father-in-law when he'd been one for years. Instead, I would do my best to stop calling him that.

Charlie lived alone, four hours out of the city. In a town called Forks, where we regularly spent summers or traveled there every month. He was a noble, reclusive man who never interfered in our marriage. It was a shame I couldn't say goodbye to him after the divorce.

There remained a pending conversation between the two of us. I knew that one day I would face him and apologize to him for breaking my promise to him.

"Brother... wait!" Jacob exclaimed walking behind me as I was leaving the office.

I stopped, adjusting the strap of my briefcase mid-shoulder.

We were both auto-mechanical engineers, and our job was to analyze and design new robotic machines.

"I thought everyone had left," I mentioned, ignoring the fact that it was too late.

Lately I'd rather stay and work overtime than go back to the apartment.

"Claire wants to see you," he said. "She asked for your cell phone number, and I gave it to her."

He laughed when my cell phone rang. It was a message from him with Claire's number.

I sighed.

"Jacob, you shouldn't have done that. I'm not interested in dating anyone."

"Why not? You're divorced and you have the right to enjoy your freedom."

"It's not about enjoying my freedom," I repeated his words. "I need to learn to love my solitude and meditate on so many things I did wrong, that Bells and I did wrong."

"And you think meditating solves anything? You are divorced, Edward. Your marriage ended over a month ago."

"Thanks for reminding me," I mentioned sarcastically.

"Brother, you need to meet more women."

"It's not time yet."

"As faithful as you are, Bella's not coming back. You two didn't work out, get over it."

I gave a deep exhale and went on my way.

.

.

When the weekend arrived I went to my parents' house, those days I didn't have Eric, although that didn't mean I didn't miss him.

I shared lunch between pleasant conversations about our childhood. And there was a moment when I smiled nostalgically as I listened to the anecdotes of our parents' romance.

We were so focused on the conversations that we didn't see Alice's revelation coming.

"Jasper proposed to me," she showed us her left hand where a beautiful ring with a huge stone adorned her middle finger. "I said yes."

My mother threw herself into his arms as did Dad. They both congratulated her.

I wasn't surprised by the news; they had been dating for more than five years. They had even been slow to acknowledge that they both wanted to get married.

If Bells were here she would have jumped up and down with joy. They had a good relationship and a certain degree of complicity until... well, the break came.

Alice had a strong character and was not in the habit of keeping quiet about anything.

They had an argument and Bells decided to put some distance between them.

"I hope you tell that bitch I want baby chick at my wedding."

Alice's harsh words caught my attention, I glared at her.

"Stop calling her that," I snapped. "You don't have to insult the mother of my child."

"That unfeeling bitch doesn't deserve to be defended."

"Alice, please," Dad protested, embarrassed.

"I'm not going to shut up," my sister said, making me furious, I snorted. "That bitch left Edward because according to her, my brother didn't support her, and I don't know what shit. Please! We all know Edward licked the fucking ground wherever she stepped on, what more did she want?"

I sat up throwing the napkin on the table and walked out of the house towards my car.

"Edward!..." Mom screamed. "Please, son. Ignore your sister."

I stopped dead in my tracks before slamming the door shut again and turning back to mom.

There were fucking tears in my eyes, I was so hurt, it hurt so deeply to hear stupid opinions.

I had failed too. We both had and I fucking wanted to give my whole life to turn back time and have a chance again.

Mom pulled me into her arms. It was then that I realized bitter tears were running down my cheeks and into my mouth.

I hugged Mom and cried inconsolably, not caring if the neighbors saw the scene.

"I love her, Mom," I sobbed, "and I've lost her."

Well, in this chapter we realized how overwhelmed Edward is. Keep calm, that's all I ask since we are still in chapter 4. I know you will surely want to know if there will be chapters under Bella's perspective and yes, she owes us an outtake and some other chapters.

Thank you for reading