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 8
Rejection
Months ago…
I didn't talk to James the whole way. I was more focused on texting Edward which none of them responded to.
I barely whispered a thank you as I got out of the car and went to the entrance.
I ran into the bar.
The party was in the small room in the back. That space I had rented for the party and the neon decor had been my choice. It was modern and fun to celebrate my husband's thirtieth birthday.
I looked for Edward in the dark and stumbled over a light body.
"Bella, why the delay?"
I was glad it was Angela. She had a big hat on her neon pink head and the frame of her glasses was fluorescent green.
"You know, the usual," I said as loudly as I could so she could hear me. "Where's Edward?"
"He's serving the cake," she pointed to the corner. "We've been waiting for you, but you never showed up."
A pain in my stomach came over me. I was late.
I walked toward him, not greeting my in-laws I caught a glimpse of in the crowd.
"I'm sorry," I barely articulated, and he broke away from my touch, walking away.
He smiled at his friends as he gave them each their slice of cake.
"Edward..." I hugged him from behind. "I'm really sorry, I got stuck at work and then the car wouldn't start. A colleague had to give me a ride here because you didn't answer my calls."
He turned to me. He was too handsome in that black shirt with his sleeves rolled up, wearing the neon hat that announced he was the celebrant.
I ached at the look on his face. I knew this was no time to talk, he was completely pissed off, so much so, that he tugged on my arm pulling me into the dark corner farthest away from everyone. His grip hurt.
"It's always the same, Bells. Always! You were so obsessed with getting that damn promotion and now you've got it, and us? Eric from daycare goes to my parents' house or else with me, or Vanessa, but you? Where the hell are you? You're barely getting to sleep."
"I'm working, my love. I'm not out partying or clubbing. I'm doing my part, remember? We're in this together, Edward. We're a team. We're paying for our house, understand me."
He gave a fake smile.
"You know very well I can take care of everything. You don't need to work."
Again, the same old chant. The same lecture that I didn't want him to work so he would be at home as just another piece of furniture.
I loved my son. Of course I wanted to spend more time with him, but I didn't agree to stay home, we were in different times, and I needed to work and help just like Edward did. We had no money to spare.
"I will not stay at home," I spat.
"This is not the place or time to talk, Bells," he growled.
My shoulders slumped as I watched him leave with his friends: Sam and Jacob were with their respective partners at the table near the entrance.
I walked over to the table occupied by my in-laws and spent a few minutes chatting with them. Eric had been left in the care of a nanny, it was Vanessa, a seventeen year old girl who always helped us.
I didn't see Alice anywhere and even less Jasper, I assumed they had left early.
The rest of the party Edward took care of ignoring me. He didn't even give me a glance and we didn't dance either. I kept some acquaintances company while I drank my third glass of Cosmopolitan.
"Why are you so bored?," my friend said in my ear.
I turned to her and shrugged.
"Edward is mad at me."
"Bella, you overdid it. You weren't here when we sang happy birthday to him and when he broke his cake I could see the disappointment on his face. He's very hurt and I understand that. If Ben does the same thing to me one day I will cut his balls off."
"I didn't mean to."
"Girlfriend," she squeezed my hand, "you're prioritizing your work over your family and it's not good."
"It's not."
"Bella, we've been friends for years, you can't fool me. I realize that you are very competitive in your work and that will end up playing against you. Take care of your family, your husband."
She smiled to cheer me up, but I didn't smile.
"Let's dance," she dragged me with her to the dance floor.
.
.
.
We got home after 4 am. Eric was already asleep in his bed and Vanessa next to him; I didn't want to wake her up. She would sleep over with her parents' permission.
Edward didn't speak to me for the rest of his party, we didn't take any pictures either. There was no memory left of us together because we just didn't get close.
After putting on my sexiest pajamas, I knelt on the bed seeking his attention, I ran my hands up and down his broad back. His body shuddered, he liked it, he couldn't deny it.
"Happy birthday, love," I dragged my lips across his right shoulder, "I love you."
He sat up, pulling away. When he turned to me I knew he was still angry.
"Don't reject me," I mumbled in pain, "I need you."
He sighed deeply.
"It's not about solving our problems in bed, Bells. You failed me and it's not the first time. My parents' anniversary, Alice's birthday, your father's party, my work's Christmas dinner and I can list all the times you've let me down," he mumbled, "You keep walking away and the worst thing is that you don't realize it."
"I'm sorry."
"A fucking sorry doesn't solve anything," he exclaimed angrily.
"It won't happen again, I promise," I hugged him tightly, wrapping my arms around his torso. "Please forgive me."
I held his face and desperately searched for his lips; he didn't answer me when our mouths crashed against each other. I pulled him to me and carried him towards the bed, we both fell on the softness of the mattress.
I straddled his hips and started to take off his shirt. His taste was winey, and it drove me crazy, I had a mania for the taste of his mouth when he was drunk. It was an aphrodisiac for me.
I kissed him hard while one of my hands rubbed his erection over his pants.
He moaned into my mouth.
And when we turned around he left me under his body. I smiled, but then he withdrew standing up.
I opened my eyes.
"I don't want to," he said, walking out of the room and leaving me alone.
My tears rolled.
His rejection hurt.
I'll keep saying to need to be patient. These chapters are still necessary to understand the story. What are your opinions on Bella? Do you think Edward overreacted? I'd love to know your opinions.
Once again thank you so much for all your support, your reviews are the payment for all the effort I make to translate these chapters.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING!
