Author note: Sorry again for the wait. I hate the excuses but my mental health really does suck right now! Yes im in therapy. So this story is almost done! Thanks for all the support and please note that I do read every review.
Chapter 42 Before I Die Part 3
Edward POV
I pulled my phone out as soon as we left Sasha's and climbed into the car. I couldn't believe it, no I could, Demetri was alive. Demetri. Fuck!
Calling Emmett's number while Laurent drove towards the airstrip, my mind was running. I needed to get back home, I needed to move Bella.
"Yo," Emmett said as he picked up.
"Where's my wife?" Was the first question that popped off.
"She's in the house with Mom, Rose, and Alice."
I quickly let out a breath of relief.
"Bro. What happened?" Emmett asked and I couldn't tell him over the phone. I needed a new burner. No, I was going straight home and could tell him then.
"Remember everything we discussed?" I was talking about the rat situation so he would remember. As if he needed a reminder?
"Yeah?"
I let out a breath, my mind still reeling from the picture I had. "It's deeper than we thought."
"Fuck," Emmett said over the line.
"I need you to get inside and keep an eye on things there. Make sure you leave nothing behind in the guard shack,"
He knew what I was trying to say, the girls weren't safe anymore and leave nothing for the rat.
"I gotcha bro, I gotcha," Emmett said as I heard rustling on the other end.
"Call Jasper, tell him to monitor the computers. I need to know if anyone tries to get into them but you don't leave any paperwork behind!"
"No worries, I gotcha," Emmett wasn't asking questions. He knew I couldn't say much. He knew by my tone something went down and oh boy I couldn't wait to tell him.
"I'm a few hours out, but I'll be there soon. Act normal, you're just going to sit with dad for a few but don't tell anyone anything."
Emmett told me he understood, and we hung up. I laid my head against the headrest and sighed.
"This is some fucked up shit," James said from the passenger side. I saw Laurent nod but he didn't say anything. He just kept driving.
Quickly, James turned around to face me and I almost pulled my gun on him because of the movement.
"And you! When the fuck have you seen Sasha naked?" He huffed putting his finger in my face. "Don't tell me you messed around on B over the Russian?" James finished and I heard Laurent chuckle.
I huffed, letting a breath out before I relaxed my face. "First of all, get your damn finger out of my face and second of all hell no." He let his finger go but still scowled at me. He wanted information and if it was anyone but him, I would have told him off but I knew how close he was to Bella. A closeness I wasn't entirely happy with.
"I would never hurt Bella like that," I listened to my words. I wouldn't hurt her like that but I have hurt her. It made me feel sick inside. Before I could feel pity for myself James was staring at me waiting for me to explain. He fucking knew me, he knew I didn't have to.
"She was tied up by her uncles spread eagle being fucked daily by guards and probably by Felix and Demetri. They wanted to fuck the "illness" out of her," Laurent said without taking his eyes from the road. "We found her like that and untied her."
James' eyes went wide "Illness?" Now I groaned. I thought that part would have been self-explanatory seeing as how we just fucking saw it.
James waited before his eyes went wide. "Never mind," he said as he looked at us and I was never more happy that he didn't say anything else about that.
"So, what's the plan, boss?" Laurent asked from the front while I thought. What was the plan? I now knew the rat was either Caius or Bernard. How I would expose them was another story. We also needed to find rats in the other families. My head still was running a mile a minute. Demetri was alive and I just needed to get back home to plan on how to take him down.
***BID*****
BELLA POV
"Fucking whore," I heard from the closed bedroom door along with something hitting the wall with a thud. Oh shit, not again I thought to myself as I rushed to the door. I heard someone else come up the stairs. I wasn't shocked to see Rose with the same bewildered expression. We both opened the door when we heard another clash.
Stepping in the room, I saw Carlisle sitting up in bed throwing what looked like a bedpan at the wall near Esme and Alice. Alice was crying while trying to grab her mother who seemed like she was trying to get closer to Carlisle to calm him down.
Where was Bernard? He usually didn't leave Carlisle's side especially when he became like this. It surprised me that Esme wasn't crying. She seemed calm but I could see a slight shake in her posture. Alice on the other hand was freaking the fuck out. Didn't I tell her? I guess she believed me now.
"Alice, get out," I said to her as she started crying harder.
Alice looked at me before turning her gaze to Esme, "Come on, Mama, let's go."
"Now!" I said since Esme was locked onto Carlisle. I needed to get her away and couldn't deal with Alice at the moment. Alice looked back and forth between Esme, Rose, and I before she left the room.
I then turned towards Rosalie, who was looking at Carlisle as gibberish sprang from his mouth. "Make sure she doesn't leave the house." Rose nodded and left the room. I then turned back to Esme who had silent tears streaming down her face.
"Carlisle! Please lay down," she says slowly making her way towards him. He jabs a finger towards her, before laying back down. He then looks at me, "Keep that whore away from me!" Esme gasps a little but I can't imagine what she is thinking right now.
The door bursts open at that moment, and Emmett comes in with a pissed off look on his face. "Hey! You don't call her that!" he said then went to Esme to comfort her. As soon as he put his hand on Esme's shoulder Carlisle started saying a string of profanities.
"It's alright, he doesn't know what he is saying," Esme said to Emmett but I think she was reminding herself. I know Emmett knew he wasn't lucid. It was the tumor but it didn't help that the man in the bed, probably one of the strongest people he knew, was hurling insults at his mother.
"It doesn't make it right," Emmett muttered but he looked at me. "You alright?" he asked while he hugged his mother.
"I'm fine," I said as I glanced at Carlisle again who kept his gaze on Esme and Emmett. It didn't look like his ire was completely diminished yet.
"Nurse!" Carlisle said from the bed looking at me. I guess he thought I was the nurse now. I decided to play along, maybe I could calm him down somehow.
"Yes, Mr. Cullen?" I said as I went to his side.
He looked at me again. "Get them out of here!" He pointed towards Esme and Emmett screaming with spit flying out of his mouth before he laid down on the bed. He looked tired, like he was using all his energy to curse Esme.
I turned my attention to Esme; she was heartbroken. I could tell by the way she shook. I admired her though trying to be strong when your whole world was tumbling down. She was losing her husband, her other half and it wouldn't be long before he was gone.
"How about I stay with him while he sleeps and then I'll come get you?" I said to her with a smile.
"What if this is the last time he's awake?" Esme said, and now I knew she was waiting for him to die. She wasn't going to leave because she didn't want to miss him dying.
"This whore! Now she thinks I'm dying!" Carlisle yelled and I closed my eyes at his voice.
"Hey! Can it, old man!" Emmett said from her side pointing his finger at Carlisle who laughed at him.
"Hey, listen. I'll stay with him and I'll let you know if anything changes, okay?" I told Esme who seemed reluctant to leave his side. "He might be in a better mood once he wakes up." She glanced at me, then Carlisle and then back to me. I kept a smile on my face, trying to reassure her but I felt like I just gave her false hope. Would he wake up? The doctor was very sure he wouldn't make it past a few days.
'Come on, Mama. How about you get some rest and then we'll come see dad again," Emmett persuaded her and they left the room. I waited until the door was closed when I turned back to Carlisle who had fallen asleep. I sighed, maybe this wouldn't be bad after all. I knew he was exhausted. I could tell with the way he had reacted towards Esme. It was like he used up all his energy to just sit up in the bed and call her vile names.
Before sitting in the chair by his side, I needed to pee. I quietly left the bedroom with Seth hanging out in the hall. I made my way to Edward's childhood bedroom and used the bathroom. I was so tired; it didn't even make sense. I had hardly done anything today, not like here lately where I had been pushing my body's limits.
After doing my business, I quietly stepped out and headed back to the bedroom where Carlisle was, when I heard voices.
It sounded like Caius and Alice. I peeped from the hallway to see that it was in fact them. Caius was pleading with Alice about something. I wanted to get closer but was afraid that I would be seen. Alice looked upset, but kept telling Caius no. The exchange was very suspicious and I felt a chill in my bones. Where was Rose? I told her to keep an eye on Alice.
"Everything okay here?" I heard a voice and quickly shut my eyes shut damn it someone found me. I opened them to find out I was actually alone and the voice was coming from down the hall where Alice and Caius was.
I peeped over my shoulder again before laying my head against the wall. It was Bernard, and he was looking back and forth between the two.
"Fine," Caius said and I heard footsteps leave and then descend the stairs. I blew out a breath, grateful no one had come this way.
"Mrs. Whitlock?" Bernard pressed and I had almost forgotten that they were still in the hallway.
"I'm fine, Bernie," Alice said softly. She sounded upset but at this point I didn't care anymore. Something fishy was going on with her and I was tired of ignoring it. I needed to confront her soon.
"Were you visiting your dad?" Bernard said and I mentally chastised myself. Shit, I was supposed to be in there but here I am hiding in the hallway.
"I was earlier, Bella is with him right now." Alice sounded distracted but I hoped for all that's holy neither one of them went into Carlisle's room. They might come looking for me. If they did they would see that I wasn't there. Then, I would have been caught. "I'm going to see mom and I'll talk to you later."
There was no exchange of goodbye, shit, so how was I supposed to know if Bernard was still there? I didn't hear footsteps after Alice's departure or anything. I took a deep breath and counted to ten before looking again.
Bernard was gone, so I quietly made my way down the hall to Carlisle's room, entered and quietly shut the door behind me. I let out a breath of relief to find I was the only one in the room and he was still asleep.
I felt exhausted as I made my way toward him. He looked peaceful, like he was ready to go. If it hadn't been for the rapid falls of his chest, I would have thought he had already moved on. I sat in the chair, beside him fighting the exhaustion in my eyes. This man was fragile, frail, and it was hard to see why Edward despised him so.
Yet, here I was beside him, not sure what happened between Edward and him. Giving up on fighting exhaustion I laid back in the chair and fell asleep.
****BID*****
"Bella!" I heard my name being called from beside me. It sounded strange; I slowly opened my eyes to an unfamiliar room. "Bella." The voice said again and I blinked, sitting up forgetting I was in Carlisle's room.
"Ah, there you are." Carlisle said from beside me with a smile. I focused on him, he was sitting up with his hands in his lap and he seemed to be fine. He was lucid, oh my god he was lucid!
I quickly sat up. "Let me get Esme!" I said but he shook his head and that had me freeze in place.
"Not yet, give me a few," he said and I nodded. Why did I nod? I told Esme I would get her when he woke.
"I would like to talk to you," Carlisle said, then he started coughing. I went to the water pitcher beside his bed table and poured him a glass of water. He wanted to talk to me? Why? I felt a bit nervous, I haven't really been alone with my father-in-law nor really had a discussion with him.
"Here you go." I handed him the glass and sat down in the chair I fell asleep in. He gulped down the cold liquid fast. "Would you like some more?" I asked, but he shook his head.
"How are you, Isabella?" he said with a curious gaze. He didn't look guarded. "I know this can't be easy for you," he said and I felt two emotions prick at me. How did Carlisle Cullen know how I felt? He didn't know me, why did he think he could judge me? Then again it might be my appearance, I may look horrible, I did just wake up.
"I'm fine," I grounded out. I really didn't know what to say. There was no way I was going to tell him how I felt, I didn't even know how I felt. There were too many emotions that I was trying to manage right now and telling my husband's father how I was wouldn't help me at all.
He laughed. "I never understood why women used that term. When they say "I'm fine" but yet they are everything but not." He said and I tried my best not to give him my "go to hell" look. I didn't know why I was mad he was telling the truth.
"How about I go get Esme for you?" I went to stand up again, the best thing right now was to get Esme and hopefully his children.
"How is he?" he asked as I made my way to the door. It made me freeze in place but it didn't take me long to figure out who he was speaking of.
"He's fine." I didn't know how he was. How could I? Things were rocky between us right now. "He's juggling both businesses well," I said proudly when I didn't even know the answer to that myself.
Carlisle sighed but didn't say anything for a bit. For some reason, I couldn't leave. Why?
"I meant how is he?" Then I could hear the underlying question in his tone. He wasn't asking how Edward was doing with the family nor his business. He was asking how Edward genuinely was.
I took a deep breath as I sat down again before leaning in towards him "I honestly don't know," I said, hating to admit that before putting my head in my hands.
Carlisle took a deep breath and then smiled. "My baby boy," Carlisle sniffed and then I looked at him. Was he crying? The way Edward described him, made me think of him hard as stone. He then turned to me, "I hurt him badly."
I froze. It had never been confirmed but I had a feeling Carlisle hurt him and here I was helping this man who hurt my husband or was I overthinking things? "How?" I asked Carlisle while I tried to keep my face passive. If there's one thing I've learned from this family is no one told you shit while you were upset.
Carlisle looked at me, and I could see so many emotions flicker across his face. "He hasn't told you?" Carlisle asked, shocked and I don't know if it was relief or disbelief? He took a breath before looking at me with a sad smile "I took him away from his mother and siblings. I locked him downstairs in the basement. I shaved his head. I played mind games with him so I could break down the mold he already processed with the one Esme filled him in." I stared at him unaware of the liquid flowing down my cheeks from my eyes.
"I toughened him up so that he showed no weakness. He was my heir, he was going to lead my family." I don't wipe my cheeks but stare hard at the man that was supposed to be Edward's father. This wasn't how a father was. I guess having a father was worse than not having one.
"I made him into my image, molded him to be perfect." I held my hand up, unable to hear anymore. Poor Edward, poor little Edward. I understood why he acted the way he did, why he closed up, why he turned into an asshole when things got intense. "And you, you ruined it all in a blink of an eye." I froze, his gaze made chills go down my spine but then he relaxed and smiled. "I couldn't have been happier."
"Why?" Pushing my anger down, wanting to scream and yell at this man for what he did to my husband. "Because my son came back." I gave him a look; his son wouldn't be gone if it hadn't been because of him.
"I can't believe you did that to him." I wanted to scream for Edward, I wanted to beat this man for what he did. Flashes of a little boy with vivid green eyes sitting there wondering why his father was doing this to him flashed in my brain.
"You are strong," Carlisle interjected, pulling me from my thoughts.
I finally wiped my eyes and cheeks. Was he blind? I was here crying and he was calling me strong?
"No I'm not. Not even close." I chuckled, no humor in my voice.
"You are. Tougher than my Esme. Never lose that, Isabella," he said with a proud voice but all I could do was look at him in confusion. How was I stronger than Esme? His lucidness must be evaporating. Oh no, Esme really needed her husband while he was like this. "I shouldn't have upset you, especially right now in your condition," Carlisle finished with a smile looking really proud.
What condition? What was he talking about, I really needed to get Esme. His smile then faded and he looked at me confused before his face changed again. "You don't know?" he asked and then he sat back with a smile.
If I thought Edward had mood swings, it didn't compare to his father's facial features. "I'm going to get Esme."
"Bella?" Carlisle hummed as I turned the knob on the door frozen in place. "Trust Bernard." Confused and emotional, I quickly turned from the room and left it trying not to let my emotions get the best of me. I was so confused, how the hell was I stronger than Esme? How the hell did I just stand there and not scream and holler at him for what he did to Edward?
I wasn't paying attention and bumped into someone when I tried to make it to the stairs. "Bella!" Came Edward's concerned voice and I lunged into his arms. I hugged him hard. I missed him so much, it had only been a day since he left but I missed him.
"Bella." Edward's muffled voice said as he carried me to his old bedroom. I didn't let go even after he kicked the door shut behind us. "Bella." This time it was clearer. I moved my head from his shoulder and looked into his eyes.
He grabbed my face with his hands and looked at me. "What did he do? What did he say?" Edward demanded gently but I could hear the undertone of anger lacing out. I didn't say anything but looking at him while he searched my eyes I couldn't help but cry. It came pouring out of me all of it and I couldn't stop crying.
"I'll kill him," Edward said as he gathered me in his arms again and held me to his chest. I pushed him away because I wasn't the one that needed the comfort right now it was him. He was the one hurt by his own father. "Bella?" He asked me with concern.
I couldn't stop crying while looking at him. What was wrong with me? I touched his face trying to stop my tears. "I'm so sorry," I said to him while looking into his eyes. He stared at me in return, never breaking contact until his face went rigid and he removed his hands from my face and pushed me away.
"Edward, no! Please!" I said while he turned away and walked to the other side of the room. He was hurt I just knew he was, but what at? Was he hurt that I knew now or was it because he was probably re-living that time in his mind right now?
"Edward," I said desperately trying to go to him but he held his hand up to me. "Please, Edward."
"Stop," he said in a low growling voice that made me freeze in my place. He huffed out a breath like he wanted to say something then turned towards the door without sparing me a glance.
"No!" I ran to him and pulled his arm "You always leave!" I said and, in that moment, I realized how fucking weak I really was. Carlisle couldn't have been more wrong.
Edward was shaking, really shaking. He then turned to me in a fury stalking his way towards me. I walked backwards looking at his murderous glare. "Want to know why I always leave?" I kept backing up until I was against the wall, my husband's nose touching mine. He was furious, so furious that his eyes had gone red, and I swear I could see steam shooting from his ears.
"I always leave because I don't want to say something I'll regret, but you know what?" he chuckled evilly. "You push me, always push me to get your way. I tell you something, you run and do the complete opposite." He backed away from me and I froze. "From the moment I met you, you have never listened."
Now it was my turn to get mad but he held his hand up "You do whatever you want without consequences, or you think they don't have consequences. You deviate from the schedule I put in place to keep you safe, you have no regard for your safety," he said in a robotic voice.
"That's not true! I've done all you asked of me!" I shouted. Why was this getting brought up again? We had already had this conversation before.
"Willingly?" he said, giving me a questioning gaze. I had no answer for that because it was true, I had fought him a bit at every turn but I did what he wanted.
When silence met his answer, he nodded. "That's what I thought." His fists clenched "The one thing that was going to be hard to tell you." He stopped and looked at me with a flash of hurt in his eyes before he started speaking again. "You go and ask my father?" He looked at me with rage. "Didn't you go to college for this? Shouldn't you know it's trauma and something I wouldn't want to speak about?" He let out a chuckle, however it was far from funny.
"I mean, fuck, asking my father, as your husband you should have had respect for me not to even bring it up." He then punched the wall and I flinched back both at the hole in the wall and his comments. "Fuck! I even told you that I would tell you eventually and yet you still." He didn't finish but I could see the hurt in his eyes.
"I mean, fuck, thinking about how I would feel, let's just ask the abuser what he did," Edward said with hurt and anger in his voice and I knew that this was the first time he probably even mentioned it. This was probably the first time he even acknowledged Carlisle as being one. I started crying and he held his hand up.
"Don't. Don't do that. You did this." He brought his hand between us. He was hurt, so hurt and my heart ached for him so much.
"It didn't happen the way you think," I shouted out. He needed to know I didn't go to Carlisle but that it was brought up.
Edward stared at me for a long time, his gaze cold and dead which had my heart thumping in my chest. "But you still asked, didn't you?"
"I-I…" I stuttered, unable to confirm my answer but I nodded and he turned from me. I didn't want to let him leave, not like this. This time was different, he was detached, scary, and an empty feeling settled in my stomach.
"That's what I thought," Edward said as he went towards the door again.
"Edward, please wait." I rushed towards him, knowing if we left things like this, it would just be that much harder to come back from. I saw the slight shake in his body as he froze again but he didn't turn around. "We should talk about this. I mean we both experienced abuse by a parent. I'm the perfect person you can talk to." I said trying to get him to open up to me.
Whatever I said, had him turning around and I was met with a furious gaze, his face flushed red. "Do you see what I mean? You push me, always push me!" he spit out and he was in my face again. "No, Bella, we don't have the same experience because he wasn't your father!" My eyes went wide at the revelation. It hurt because I always thought Charlie was my father. No, he was right, it wasn't the same experience because I didn't have a father.
Tears fell down my cheeks unable to hold them back any longer. He was right, I should have waited, I shouldn't have asked. "You're right," I said softly before he turned and left the room. I knew he was hurt and angry for me asking Carlisle and I should have waited when he was ready to talk.
EDWARD POV
After leaving my bedroom, I made my way down the hall to the guest bathroom. Taking my phone out letting Seth know he was to keep an eye and ear out if Bella left the house. I couldn't be around her right now, not when she betrayed me.
Why couldn't she wait? Why did she have to push and push me at every turn? Hadn't I been patient? Hadn't I been there for her in her time of need? I only asked her a couple of things and she couldn't even listen to those!
Coming down the hall, I saw my mother, Emmett, and Alice leave my father's room. My mother was crying of course, but it was the expressions on Emmett and Alice's faces that had me pause. Emmett looked tired and that told me he had been with mother this whole time. Plus being in charge in my stead Emmett deserved a vacation after all this. Somewhere nice with Rosalie. Alice's face held guilt and that held my attention. What was she guilty about?
Alice went downstairs with Mom while Emmett came to me. I hadn't seen him upon returning. My first thoughts were going to Bella and seeing her. I shook that thought away. His eyes were heavy and tired but he gave me a smile as he approached.
"What's up?" Emmett said to me. I could feel his impatience under the surface though he looked calmed. I didn't blame him though; he knew shit went down and didn't know what.
"Gunna meet in the woods near the Oak tree. I don't trust the shack right now." Em nodded, looking around. "Where's Caius, Bernard, and Benjamin?" I asked about those I was hesitant to join this meeting and who would not join this meeting.
"Caius and Benjamin are patrolling. Bernard has been keeping the house guarded, never straying far from dad." I nodded, not having to worry about Bernard leaving the house to hear. However, I would need to divert Benjamin and Caius to other places so that they wouldn't "accidentally stumble" upon our meeting. I rather do this in the guard shack but the thought of the rat having a listening device or camera stopped me. I also didn't have time to get someone out here to thoroughly check for devices. Yes, Laurent had one but it wasn't as thorough as the others.
"Tell Benjamin to keep an eye on Alice and have Caius patrol the other side while the meeting is taking place." He nodded and walked away before I grabbed his arm. "Wait ten minutes before instructing them." He nodded and I let him go this time.
Turning towards the closed bedroom door, I approached it and opened the door. My father was laying down on the bed, his eyes were closed. Shutting the door behind me with a thud he opened them. We stared at each other for a bit. I saw a multitude of emotions flash before he stopped on one and that was guilt. His blue eyes looked faded, not as clear as they usually were but murky as if I was unable to see the depths of them. In this moment I was just again glad I had inherited my mother's eyes.
"You know," he said in a croaked voice trying his best to sit back up in bed. He looked tired just as much as Emmett had. Though I didn't feel the pity like I did with Em. I nodded at his question, still unsure as to what to say. "She didn't ask, well she didn't start that conversation," he said, as if that changed anything, or did it? I was still in my head about all that. "I didn't tell her everything."
I grinned an evil grin. "Just the times that weren't so bad then, huh?" He shook his head, glancing at me as if he was searching for something else. I had never seen the look of guilt grace his face as much as it did now. Not even that day in his office when he wanted to work shit out.
"Did you find the rat?" My smirky grin turned into an angry one. How the fuck did he know? He's been in and out of shit lately. I knew he hadn't left this room since we'd been here.
"You haven't been losing it as much as I thought, huh?" I said to him in an accusatory tone.
He looked at me "If you're talking about me being lucid then yes that was fake. But sometimes the cussing and the awful things I say to your mother wasn't. It was like my brain and my mouth don't agree on what comes out of it."
That was the tumor. I bet it was, however why was he acting like he couldn't remember shit?
"Mom is on this as well, isn't she?" He nodded but then shook his head.
"At first, but some of the things I said and my diagnosis are real." Now, he was talking about the week he had to live and the awful things he has said here lately were real. "I've been waiting on you to visit me alone and when you didn't I had Bernard listen out."
I nodded, now it made sense. Dad faked some of his condition because he knew we had a rat. Bernard starts leaving the property to feel everyone out, telling dad what was going on. But, after this bit of information I was told I now knew who the rat was.
"He only visited me once, Edward." I nodded, both of us were on the same wavelength. I always had a feeling it was that motherfucker Caius! Why wouldn't it be? He always resented me for what I am. He always got along with the Volturi's trying to make an alliance but now the only question was why?
I turned to leave the room, I had a meeting to get to. "Edward" he called from the bed. I slowly turned towards him. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything. I know that doesn't make up for anything but I'm truly sorry."
I don't know what part made me angrier; the fact that he literally abused me to make me what I am today so I would be ready to take over for the family or the fact that now that I was head of the family, he faked making his condition worse than it seemed so he could the rat which meant he didn't trust me at all.
"Please keep Bella close and safe. I feel something may happen to her." I rushed over to him cutting him off as to whatever he was going say. "Keep one thing in your head, old man. Do not talk about my wife!" My teeth clenched, how dare he? The only thing in my life not tainted by him he wanted to speak about it.
"I'm sorry, truly. Please don't keep her at a distance anymore. I know you are, she didn't tell me that, I know you are because you think it'll protect her. But please don't, especially not right now when she is most fragile."
What? What did he mean fragile? My wife was strong and brave more than I thought at first. I didn't say anything to him despite him not hearing my early warning.
"You don't know?" he said wistfully but smiled like he was in on some secret that I didn't know about. I ignored him thinking it was probably the tumor speaking and left his room. I didn't have time for apologizes from a dying man nor did I have time to think about what he said. I needed to find my men and tell them that a Volturi still lived.
BELLA POV
Leaving the house, unable to stay in that room for the fear of suffocating any longer I headed towards the guest house that Alice was staying in. Maybe helping Alice clean or do whatever would help keep my mind off of Edward. I felt horrible but honestly, I didn't bring that subject up Carlisle did but I shouldn't have asked why. I should have waited for Edward to tell me in his own time.
Making my way towards the house, I heard footsteps behind me knowing Seth would follow if I left. I'm starting to wonder if I have a tracer secretly hidden somewhere on my body that lets him know where I am at all times. I swear every time I leave there he is. It's like he comes out of the darkness magically or just appears as soon as I leave the house.
When I got closer to Alice's house I heard voices, loud and argumentative by the sound of them. I quickly ducked near the shed to the house pulling Seth with me. "Bella, what?" I held my hand up over his mouth and eyed him. He then heard the voices and nodded. It sounded like Alice and Caius and they were trying to talk in hushed whispers however Alice sounded upset.
"I can't! I should have never gone along with this plan!" Alice said and I could hear her sobbing.
"He is here, he can get us somewhere safe," Caius said urgently to Alice and Seth and I looked at each other thinking the same thought. Who was he?
"Yet you never told me who he was," Alice said with disdain. "I have a husband, mother, father, brothers! I can't believe I let you talk me into this!"
"Me? You wanted revenge on your sister-in-law like I do her husband." My eyes went wide, revenge? For what?
"It was wrong, I shouldn't have gone along with it," Alice cried
"Alice, come with me. I can't stay any longer. Bernard is becoming very suspicious of me. It won't be long before Edward figures it out. I have to leave tonight," Caius pleaded with her and now I knew who the rat was. What I didn't know was Alice's involvement with it.
"I can't, Caius, I love my family. I can't leave like this especially when dad is about to die! I can't leave mom!"
"Alice, Bella and Rosalie will help your mother. Besides what do you think will happen once Edward learns of your betrayal?"
I wish I could see the look on Alice's face because she didn't speak. I could feel my anger rising as well. What the fuck did Alice do?
"I deserve whatever Edward does to me, it can't get much worse than this." I bet she was talking about her predicament right now, the isolation from everyone, something I gave back today that I was regretting hearing this conversation.
"You foolish girl, you think Edward will let you live once he finds out you tried to get his wife off the property by starting that ridiculously stupid fight?"
Alice whimpered "You said it would work! I just wanted her away so I could be the center of attention again!" she yelled and I'm sure if anyone else had been within ten feet of this place would have heard her screech.
I heard footsteps moving toward the shed and I grimaced at being found.
"Last chance, Alice, come with me and I'll give you all that you desire." Cauis said closer now to us. Seth and I stared at each other wondering how to play this.
"You can't," Came Alice's reply and I heard footsteps leave from the direction of the shed. Moving a bit I saw Caius retreating from heading for the path. Seth and I waited a bit before moving in the direction of the guest house where Alice still stood wiping her eyes. I also wondered where Peter, her guard, was. Had he been in on this with them or was he in the house because he thought she was?
"Alice," I said in greeting coming up behind her, as she quickly turned towards me.
"Bella!" she said with a smile however I knew it was fake. "What are you doing here?"
I wondered if she would tell me the truth? Would she lie if I asked why Caius left?
"I came to help clean up besides you said you had to tell Edward and I something and I wondered since he's back, would you now? It seems like as good a time as any," I said waiting to see if she would, if working with Caius was the very thing she wanted to tell me.
"Maybe tomorrow," she answered, looking back at whatever she had her eyes on. Seth then walked up, and I didn't know what he had planned but I'm glad I had a witness to hear everything that went down.
"Where's your guard at?" Seth asked and Alice looked at him like she was caught in the headlights. She knew she wasn't supposed to be without Peter at all.
"He's inside," she said with hesitation.
"Why is he inside?" I asked taking over Seth's question knowing Peter would not disobey an order right now especially when my husband was back.
"I may have drugged his drink," Alice said and I wasn't surprised. I knew she had to do something inconceivable because Peter wouldn't have allowed her to leave the house without him.
Seth made his way towards the house, not before turning back towards me. I rolled my eyes and followed him dragging a stiff Alice with me. If he went into the house I needed to go as well, not that I wouldn't have but I was very curious to see if Peter was drugged. Entering the warm house, we could see that Peter was drugged of course so no lie there. He was on the floor, and I wondered if he hit his head when the drug caught up to him.
"Why?" I asked Alice already knowing why but I still wanted to know if she would tell me the truth. It seemed the earlier she did when she wanted to speak with Edward and I. I know this is what It had to be about but would she tell it?
I motioned to Seth to text Edward to meet us here and tell him it was an emergency. I didn't want Alice to know but I was afraid if Edward didn't know this now things could get worse. Hopefully Caius was still on the property.
"I just wanted time to myself, Bella," she said with a moan, acting like the spoiled Alice I've come to know.
Seth nodded at me as he dragged Peter to a couch to lay on. From my view it didn't look like he had any injuries.
"Or you wanted to meet up with Caius," I said, the smile falling from my face. Her face went to disbelief and her eyebrows rose.
Caught you, bitch.
She turned to walk to the door and I moved in her path. Seth stood behind her now done with moving Peter to keep her from escaping.
Alice looked at both of us, before she cried out. "I didn't want things to be like this! I just wanted a sense of normalcy back!"
"So, you worked with the rat that was destroying your family?" Alice's eyes went wide and that told me enough. She knew Caius was the rat from the get go, then I remembered her telling me I could tell her anything. She was trying to feel me out and she wanted to know if we suspected Caius. Edward had been mum about that but that day I found out there was a rat he nodded. Alice must not have been aware I knew and now I understood Edward's reluctance to share that bit of information with me.
I nodded but then she shook her head. "That wasn't how it started, Bella. I swear Caius and I were like outcasts of the family. We just wanted things to go back to the way it was. But how could it?" she cried out. "Everything became about you. You get kidnapped, you lose a baby, your depression," she said with anger but it was misguided, all of it.
I tried not to let her words affect me and was very proud of myself for not letting her words get to me about my baby. "So, you were jealous?" That's all Alice had ever been and I knew then I was officially done with her. I knew she was jealous but enough to work with a rat? "You betrayed your family all because you were jealous?!" I exclaimed.
Alice didn't answer nor would I expect her to. She wouldn't admit to that but she didn't have to; her silence spoke volumes. "How long?" Came the words from a voice behind me and I felt my nipples harden at that voice. I slowly turned to face Edward who quickly looked at me before directing his attention back to Alice. I then noticed Emmett behind him who looked upset and I knew it was because Alice betrayed them.
"How long, Alice? Don't make me ask again," Edward said in a calm voice, however I knew he was anything but calm. He was a ticking time bomb and I hated it when he became like this. It was scary honestly. I would rather he yelled or showed his anger or at least showing some emotion.
"Since you returned from Miami," Alice said honestly and I tried to remember what could have set her off then for her to start working with Caius then. Was it when Jasper spoke to me about our trip?
EDWARD POV
To say I was angry was an understatement but it made sense now why that night Alice baited Bella. Since that night I have been wary of Alice since however I didn't know she was working with Caius, not that she really was working with Caius more like being used by Caius.
It clicked with me just earlier after telling my men about Demetri, the only one in my inner circle that didn't know was Seth and I would tell him as soon as possible. Jasper had dug a little deeper and found some inconsistencies with the night Alice and Bella fought. It was also the night Stacey died and it always irked me as to why Alice chose that particular night. Jasper was as well since she had pushed him away that night as well.
However, I don't think Alice picked that night, I think Caius told her to do it and she didn't realize what he planned. However, I could be wrong, because if Alice had been aware of Caius' plans and who he was working for I doubt Alice would have gone along with any of it. Then again, I don't trust her but something was telling me Alice was being used as well but the thing was she knew better.
"So, all of your behavior, the way you have been acting is because you're jealous of my wife?" I said in a calm voice when I wanted to do nothing more than shake her to death. It killed me to have these thoughts about my sister but it was true.
"Well, when you say it like that it sounds childish," Alice said and she smiled like she told some big joke however this was no joking matter.
"It is childish," Emmett said from behind me as he walked to stand beside me. I peeked at Bella out of the corner of my eye, making sure she was okay. I may have been angry with her but I still loved her and was very protective of her.
Alice blinked at Emmett her face moving into a grimace. She and Em were closer so the emotions raging from Em right now were way worse. Alice probably didn't like that he was speaking to her that way.
"What was the plan, Al?" Emmett said her childhood nickname that had her crying the moment it was uttered.
Alice was wordless, and in that moment there probably wasn't a plan she just went along with whatever Caius wanted.
"He told her if she left with him, he would give her everything she desired." Bella said from the other side of the room. She was looking at Alice, daring her to challenge her words. The tone of her voice had me as hard as a rock. I discreetly shifted myself and turned to Seth who nodded at Bella's words. "She said no you can't," Bella said, turning towards me saying the last word.
I moved my gaze from Bella to Alice who was full on crying right now. "I-I….. ," Alice stuttered.
"Did you get him?" Seth asked and I kept my gaze on Alice who kept shifting her gaze on all of us. My body stiffened when she turned her gaze on Bella.
"James and Benjamin are hunting him down," Emmett answered Seth's question.
"Quit looking at her, you don't have the right to," I said to Alice who swept her gaze to me.
"We have always been close, but lately we were closer being the outsiders and all," she started and I shook my head.
"You made yourself an outsider," I spat with venom. If she thought she was one before, oh boy, wait till she really was one.
"He was the only one that could cheer me up, even Jasper had found no use for me. It killed me that Edward seeing my whole family not caring about how I felt when all I wanted was to be a part of it. I mean Mom loves Bella, Dad comments on how she's changing the family or he did anyways," she muttered.
"If anything she has changed this family and it was a good thing," Emmett spoke from beside me. "I mean Mom got off her high horse, dad actually seemed to act more human when we were all around. Hell, this guy acts more human the longer he's with her…. ." I didn't stray to look at Bella. I needed to remain strong and not go to her right now. Alice needed to be dealt with.
"Why did it have to change? It was fine before!" Alice yelled and I gave her a look that made her blanched. "I mean what is so great about her? Even fucking Bree liked her and named her fucking godmother to her kids! Hell, even Kate gushed about her and she's my best friend!" Alice said and all I heard was blah, blah, blah.
"Enough, Alice, tell me what I want to know," I yelled, sick of her "poor me" routine.
"I knew Caius was stealing from you." I stiffened but smiled of course. Why wouldn't she know that? "He told me he was saving up to go out on his own. I kept telling him that it could never happen because no one could ever get out of this family alive but he didn't listen," she said, wiping her eyes. "I then found out he was actually working for someone else."
"Yet you never came to me," I said, trying to bite the feeling of betrayal coming out of me.
"You all hated me! Why would I come to you?" she screamed but it was Emmett that held his hand up.
"What did he have on you?" Emmett asked and I heard Alice gag. Ahh there it was the reason why she didn't say anything. She could use the excuse all she wanted that everyone hated her but it wasn't that it was because Caius knew something about Alice.
This time she didn't stop crying, whatever he knew was bad to get a reaction like this.
I marched over to her and screamed into her face "Tell me!" I roared.
Alice gulped looking at me. "I've been taking fertility drugs," she said but her crying made it seem like something else was happening. "Caius found out, and said he was going to tell Jasper,"She said but I didn't believe her. Jasper had been keeping his distance especially since the fight. Was she fucking Caius and trying to get pregnant and hope to pass the baby off as Jasper's?
Then it hit me no matter how fucked up Alice was she would never cheat. Then I thought about Peter being drugged according to the text Seth sent me. Bella gasped and I turned my attention to her.
"You drugged Jasper didn't you?" Bella said and I knew she was on the same wavelength as I was.
"Shut up! Just shut up!" she yelled at Bella and went towards her. I moved quickly in front of her.
"I told you, not a word," I said to Alice, feeling Bella behind me wanting to envelope her in my arms. I've truly missed her but the sting of betrayal from earlier kept me from turning towards her.
"You drugged Jasper and fucked him then?" Emmett said and he looked menacing. Apparently, Alice would go to any lengths to get what she wanted.
Alice cried but she nodded. "He's my husband, it's not like I raped him!" she screamed and Bella moved towards her
"But it is rape," Bella said with sadness and I'm not sure who the sadness was directed to.
"No, I didn't," Alice said and she looked to be on the verge of losing it.
"It is, you didn't have his consent," Emmett said and I nodded.
Alice looked around the room crying before finally taking a deep breath. "At first it was just to listen to what was being said to help Caius. Then, when lockdown happened I couldn't stand being in the same house as Bella and Rosalie so I complained about it to him. He told me if I made them look bad especially Bella then Edward would not have any choice but to move Bella somewhere."
I shook my head. Alice was the stupidest bitch I swear.
"So, the night of the fight Caius told me to start shit with Bella. I don't know why. He thought that night would be a good one but I did and it didn't turn out like I hoped. He fucking lied!" she exclaimed angrily before continuing with the story. Bella and Emmett were uncomfortable I could tell but neither moved.
"So, when I was sent to isolate here I told him what I wanted him to do and that if he didn't, I would tell you everything," she hiccuped. "So, Caius drugged Jasper's drink in the guards shack, since that's where he spent most of his time and when no one was looking he would bring him here and I would … y'know."
"Rape him," Bella said from behind me with a tone that was not to be fucked with.
Alice cried but no one in that house felt any pity for her. "How many times?" Emmett asked
"Twice," she answered and I nodded.
"I guess Edward sent him to somewhere else, because Caius said he was no longer on the property. I was sort of glad that I felt remorse afterwards… ," Alice started but Bella moved from around me to in front and I let her.
"Don't you dare say that you don't feel remorse. You raped your husband for your selfish desires," Bella said and Alice shook her head.
"You don't know what it's like to go from almost having a baby to nothing."
Before Bella could say anything, I did. "If anyone in this family went from almost having a baby to nothing it was her." I pointed to Bella. "You never had a baby! Alice, you're so fucked up. You need more help than anyone can give you."
Alice didn't say anything but she looked at both of us "I did feel remorse despite what you might think Bella. I did remember I was going to tell you and Edward everything."
Bella nodded but she didn't say anything, however she looked thoughtful. She then said to Alice after looking around the room. "How do you want to handle this?" she said, finally settling her eyes on me.
I looked at her proudly. This was my wife, my queen taking charge. "How do you want to handle it?"
Bella shook her head. "I'm done with her. It's up to you," Bella said as she walked towards the front door Seth followed behind.
I looked at Alice who stared at Bella from behind. "Did you know who he was?" I asked her and saw Bella stop walking as well.
Alice shook her head. "I swear I didn't, he never told me." I nodded but I didn't trust her.
"At least that part is true, She asked him who he was when Seth and I overheard," Bella said from the foyer. She then looked at me "Jasper needs to know, and it probably wouldn't hurt to have her checked soon to see if she is pregnant." Those were Bella's last words to me before the front door busted open and Rosalie and Sam came rushing in.
Emmett, who was upset, quickly made his way to her. She was upset about something and Bella had her arms around her.
"I've been looking for you guys," Rosalie sniffed and I noticed her eyes were red.
"Baby, what's wrong?" Emmett said concerned but I already knew what she was about to say I could feel it.
She looked at Emmett with grief, "It's Carlisle, he's gone."
A/n: Thanks for reading! Epilogue is next.