**Who's ready to hear from Edward?

22.

Her crying is almost my undoing. Sitting on the roof, elbows on knees, fingers tugging roughly at my hair, it takes all my self-control to stay where I am. I don't want to leave her. But now that I am what I am, I have no choice but to stay away.

"Please," she cries from our bedroom out into the night. "Please, Edward, come back. You don't understand … I need you. We need you. Please don't leave me alone."

I close my eyes and grit my teeth. Both sides of me—the man I was and the bloodthirsty animal I am now—war with each other. The night James and Victoria attacked us in that alley was the end of my human life, and now I'm damned to eternity without my wife and child.

I want nothing more than to go to her, to be with her, but I can't. I've already proven I can't be trusted with her.

I broke that trust when I fed from her.

Shame washes over me, and the urge to flee is almost overwhelming. But a familiar scent that's been lingering in and around Bella's apartment wafts through the air, keeping me where I am. The closer he gets, the more clear his thoughts become.

Looks like Alice was right, he does seem to have a handle on himself.

It's still jarring to hear the thoughts in others' heads … save my wife's. And this one seems to have no ill-intent toward me. That doesn't mean I'm not wary.

Instinctually, I move into a defensive position, crouching and ready to defend myself.

The unknown vampire holds up his hands. "It's okay, Edward. I'm a friend, not an enemy."

"You've been with my wife. Your scent is all over the apartment. You and another one."

He nods once and settles onto the dirty rooftop. "My wife and I, yes."

"Who are you? How did you get involved?"

"My name is Jasper Whitlock. My father-in-law was the doctor who treated Bella when she was brought in after her attack. She came to me when she needed to talk about the attack … about you. My family and I have done what we could to help. I'd like to consider her part of our extended family."

I relax, but only slightly. "You're why she isn't afraid to be with me."

Again, he nods. "I assume so, yes. We've tried to explain our world and help her come to terms with what's happened to her … and to you."

I chuckle, but it's dark and bitter. "I don't think I'll ever come to terms with what happened. That bastard took away my life."

He cocks his head. "What if I told you there was a way to get your life back?"

"I'd say you were crazy. There's no going back for me."

"Why?"

I level him with an icy stare. "Because the bastard who changed me is still out there, and he promised to hurt my mate after I killed his."