Breaking Free
Trigger Warning: This story contains scenes of domestic violence, and physical and emotional abuse. The main character was in an abusive relationship with her ex-boyfriend, who hurt her both physically and mentally. The story also depicts the main character's struggle to escape from the abuse and find love and healing with another person. If you are sensitive to these topics, please read with caution. If you are experiencing domestic violence or need help, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit their website. You are not alone, and you deserve to be safe and happy.
Chapter 22
EDWARD
As I drove away from Forks, leaving Bella behind, I clenched my jaw in frustration. However, I hated to do this, but it was the only way to keep her safe from Chris' associates. The rain pattered on the windshield, blurring the green trees and gray mountains into a misty haze. I turned on the radio, hoping to drown out the haunting memories of the drive to Forks Friday. The music was a jumble of noise, unable to soothe my restless mind.
She looked at me with a pained expression, tears welling in her eyes. "Edward, there's something I need to tell you," she whispered, breaking the silence.
I glanced at her, feeling a surge of anxiety. What could she possibly say that would change anything?
"What is it?" I asked.
She sighed as she looked out the window at the passing scenery, then said, "I never told Chris about growing up in Forks. Or about my dad being a cop."
With her confession, my anxiety lessened somewhat. "What about your social media accounts?"
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her shake her head. "No mention of Forks whatsoever. No posts either. My friends list is private."
"Password?"
"Twenty-five characters to log on to my laptop. A mix of symbols, capitalization, and numbers. Not easily guessed and not written down."
I felt myself relax more as I looked out the rearview mirror, making sure no one was following us. I raised my eyebrows, impressed by her caution. "Wow, you really thought this through."
I shook my head, still not believing her caution in what she shared with Chris and on social media. Still there were ways of finding out. Hopefully she would be safe. I was sure the US Marshals would do everything in their power to protect her.
~~~ Breaking Free ~~~
When I wasn't at work or talking with Bella, I was keeping busy. Alice, Emmett, Jasper, and Rosalie helped me pack up Bella's apartment. The apartment was a disaster zone, with broken furniture, torn clothes, and shattered glass scattered everywhere. Alice was busy taking photos and notes of the carnage, while Jasper and Rosalie helped me pack up Bella's living room. The smell of alcohol and blood hung in the air, making me sick. Detective Carter gave me a name of an agency that cleans up crime scenes, not that I would be renting out the apartment anytime soon.
"Edward," Emmett called from Bella's bedroom, his voice loud and gloomy. "Do you think we should toss the mattress?"
A wave of disgust washed over me as I heard Emmett's question. I remembered the sight of Bella's bed, the sheets mussed and stained with blood and Chris' betrayal. I clenched my fists and walked into the bedroom. "Yes, get rid of it. Unfortunately, she won't be able to claim it."
Rosalie placed a hand on my shoulder and squeezed gently. "There was nothing you could have done, Edward."
"I know," I said on a sigh. "There is so much she will have to replace."
Alice came into the bedroom and looked at me with a sad smile. She handed me a folder with the photos and notes. "This should help with the insurance claim, Edward. I'm so sorry this happened to Bella."
After Alice and Rosalie left, Jasper and Emmett stayed to help me. I stared at the bed, torn between keeping it or throwing it away. However, like the broken furniture in the living room, it looked new. No scratches or gouges were in the wood. "Hand me the wrench," I said, holding out my hand.
"It can wait until tomorrow night, Edward," Jasper said, putting his hand on my shoulder. "You look exhausted. Go get some sleep."
Hanging my head, I wondered if I would be able to sleep.
~~~ Breaking Free ~~~
Marshal Smith called me early on a Monday morning. I hadn't even had my first cup of coffee or even shaved. The coffeemaker started percolating, filling the kitchen with a rich and comforting aroma. I grabbed the phone, not bothering to look at the caller id. I was expecting a call from Bella, who had been in hiding for the past three weeks.
"This is Edward," I answered.
"Hello, Edward. It's Sam Smith," he said.
I felt a jolt of fear as I heard his voice. I quickly scanned the refrigerator, where I had pinned the names of the marshals and codes they would use to identify themselves. Sam Smith was one of them. I ran a hand down my face, hoping for good news.
He went on, using the code phrase that confirmed his identity. "Bella is fine."
Nonetheless, I blew out a relieved breath. "Then…" I started only to be cut off. I wasn't really cut off. That was the response I needed to give to confirm my identity. There was a response to several phrases and sentences on the paper.
"Bella will be testifying Thursday," Marshal Smith said. As I listened to his words, I felt a mix of relief and anxiety. I was glad that Bella was fine, but I was nervous about her testifying against Chris.
"Okay. I'll be at the courthouse. What time will she arrive?"
"At half past eight," he supplied.
"Please tell her I will be there and that I love her."
"I will. And, Edward," he said.
"Yes."
"She will be prepped by the DA Wednesday night. It would be good for her if you were there too."
My gaze moved to the picture I hung last night above the new couch. My friends had helped me move both my things and Bella's up to the penthouse. Carleen came over the past three nights to help me arrange all the rooms. My gaze moved to the picture I hung last night above the new couch. It was a candid shot of Bella looking out her bedroom window. Her reflection could be seen in the window pane, showing her beautiful smile and sparkling eyes. She was wearing a deep blue prom dress that brought out her eyes. Angela had taken it as a surprise for us.
"Marshal Smith, I think it would do me some good too. Do you think it would be okay if I stayed with her all night?"
I could hear the smile in his voice. "Of course you can. Four more marshals will be joining us. I'll be sending you their info and pictures this afternoon. The message will also say where to meet them."
BELLA
Three and a half weeks I was in Forks. Three and a half weeks of waking and wondering if today was the day Chris' associate would show up. Every night I would fall asleep in Edward's childhood bed. Every night he would comfort me from afar. Since leaving, he hasn't returned. He told me nightly he wanted to see me, but he didn't want to put me in danger. So we talked on the phone for hours. Talked like we had in high school. Talked about anything and everything. Every night he would end the call with the three words I still wished I could say back, "I love you."
I sat on the front porch, wrapped in a blanket, reading a book. The air was cool and damp, and a gentle rain was falling from the gray sky. The sound of raindrops and birdsong filled my ears, creating a soothing melody. I looked up and saw the tall and dense trees that surrounded the house, hiding it from the outside world. They were mostly evergreens, with a few splashes of color from the autumn leaves. I wrapped the blanket tighter around me, feeling a sense of security and calmness.
The book was a mystery novel, one of my favorites. I liked to lose myself in the twists and turns of the plot, forgetting about my own troubles for a while. The protagonist was a smart and brave detective, who always solved the cases and caught the criminals. I wished I could be more like her, but I knew I was just a normal girl, who had been caught in a nightmare.
And that was how Marshal Jones found me. "Good morning, Bella," he said, sitting in the other chair.
"Marshal Jones," I said, marking my page. I refused to call either of the ones protecting me by their first names. They stopped correcting me after two days.
"We'll be leaving earlier tomorrow morning for Seattle. The DA will be calling you to testify Thursday morning. You'll be prepped tomorrow night by a junior DA."
I closed my eyes and exhaled slowly, trying to calm my nerves. I knew I had to testify against Chris, the man who had tried to kill me.
I nodded and I took a sip of my chamomile tea. The tea was warm and soothing, with a hint of honey and lemon. I savored the taste, hoping it would help me relax. "Does Edward know?"
Marshal Jones smiled. "He's been made aware. He'll be meeting us and will stay with you tomorrow night."
My heart skipped a beat. I missed him so much, his voice, his touch, his smile. I wondered how he was doing, how he was coping with everything. I hoped he was okay.
I smiled back, feeling a surge of hope and love. "Thank you, Marshal Jones. That means a lot to me."
~~~ Breaking Free ~~~
Edward slid into the backseat of the town car, his clothes wrinkled and his hair messy. He looked exhausted, with dark circles under his eyes and stubble on his chin. He smelled like coffee and cologne, a familiar and comforting scent. Was he not sleeping? Taking care of himself?
He leaned toward me and pecked my cheek, his lips warm and soft. Then he tried to take my hand, but I pulled it away, making him look at me with surprise.
"Are you feeling well?" I asked, placing the back of my hand against his forehead. It was the only way I could explain his disheveled appearance.
He sighed. ""Yes, Mom, I'm fine," he said sarcastically, chuckling. He removed my hand from his forehead and gave me a weak smile. "Seriously, Bella, I'm fine. I had a late night at work last night and didn't have time to shave."
I frowned, feeling a pang of doubt. He sounded too casual, too evasive. We had talked for three hours last night. And he told me he was at home. "Did you have to go back in?"
He winced, avoiding my eyes. He knew I could tell when he was lying. "No, I worked from home. I was trying to get a quote to a potential client done early so I could take tomorrow off."
I nodded slowly, still not wanting to believe him. However, I didn't want to argue with him either. We had been separated far too long because of Chris. And it was good to see him again. "Don't you have underlings to do that for you?" I asked playfully, raising an eyebrow. I knew he was the boss of his company, and he had a lot of employees working for him.
Again, he chuckled. "I do, but this client asked for me specifically."
JUNIOR DA, JESSICA STANLEY
I felt a knot in my stomach as I parked my car in front of the cheap motel. This would be the first time I would be prepping a witness for court. Why the DA chose me was beyond me. The motel was a rundown place, with peeling paint and cracked windows. The smell of cigarettes and mold filled the air. I heard a loud TV and a barking dog from the neighboring rooms. I checked my appearance in the rearview mirror, adjusting my glasses and tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.
I clenched my jaw and took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. I had a job to do, and I was not going to let anyone down. I grabbed my briefcase and got out of the car. The motel sign flickered in the dark, casting a sickly yellow light on the peeling paint and cracked windows. The smell of cigarettes and mold assaulted my nose as I stepped out of the car. I heard a loud TV and a barking dog from the neighboring rooms, adding to the sense of danger and decay.
Two marshals were sitting on plastic chairs outside of room 121. They looked alert and serious, their guns visible at their hips and their badges around their necks and outside their jackets. They were also wearing armbands that said "Deputy US Marshal."
I approached them and flashed my ID. "Hi, I'm Jessica Stanley, the junior DA assigned to this case. I'm here to prep the witness for the trial." I wished the DA would have told me the name of the woman I was prepping.
One of the marshals, a tall and muscular man with a buzz cut, nodded and consulted his phone. He looked between the photo he was sent and me. He seemed satisfied and gestured to the door. "Nice to meet you, Ms. Stanley. I'm Marshal Jones, and this is Marshal Smith. We're in charge of the witness protection program. Come on in, she's waiting for you."
He opened the door and let me in. The room was small and dim, with a stained carpet and a bed. A lamp and table were the only other furniture. I walked into the room, where I saw a young woman. She was sitting on the bed, clutching a pillow to her chest. Her eyes were wide and her lips were trembling. She had long brown hair and pale skin, and she looked scared and tired. She was wearing a hoodie and jeans.
My heart skipped a beat as I recognized the face next to the witness. It was Edward. He had his arm around her, holding her hand. I gazed at the woman he was comforting, and recognized her, too. Bella.
She was the witness I was prepping, and the one who had survived the attack. The one who had identified Christopher Mordecai Frost. The one who had been dating him. I thought she was smarter than to get involved with Christopher. Thought she would have had her dad run a background check. I pushed my personal questions to the side and squared my shoulders as the door clicked close behind me.
"Bella," I said, walking toward her. I tried to hide my shock and curiosity in my voice.
She looked up at me with wide eyes. "Jessica?" she asked, her voice trembling.
I nodded. "Yes, it's me. I'm the junior DA assigned to this case. I'm here to prep you for the trial." I glanced at Edward, who was holding her hand. "Would you like Edward to stay?" I asked, hoping she would say no. It would be easier to prep her without him in the room.
"Yes," she whispered, clutching his hand tighter.
I sat down on the chair that I hadn't noticed when I entered the room, and opened my briefcase. I took out a folder with some papers and a pen. I looked at Bella and Edward, who were still holding hands. I cleared my throat and tried to sound calm and reassuring.
"Bella, I know this is hard for you, but you are doing the right thing. You are the key witness in this case, and your testimony is vital to put Christopher behind bars. He is a dangerous man, and he has hurt many people. You are not alone in this. We are here to protect you and support you."
Bella nodded, but she looked terrified. She squeezed Edward's hand harder. He rubbed her back and whispered something in her ear. I wondered what he was saying. Was he comforting her? Encouraging her?
"The trial started on Monday. You will be escorted to the courthouse by the marshals, and you will wear a bulletproof vest. You will be safe, I promise."
Bella swallowed hard and nodded again. She looked like she wanted to say something, but she didn't.
"First, the DA, Greg Tuts, will ask you some questions. He will ask you about your relationship with Christopher, how you met him, what he told you, what he did to you, and how you escaped. He will also ask you to identify him in the courtroom, and to confirm that he is the one who attacked you. And how many times."
Bella shuddered and closed her eyes. A tear rolled down her cheek. Edward kissed her forehead and hugged her.
"I know this will be difficult, but you have to be strong and tell the truth. The jury needs to hear your story, and see how brave you are. You have nothing to be ashamed of. Christopher is the one who should be ashamed. He is the one who will pay for his crimes."
Bella opened her eyes and nodded again. She wiped her tears and took a deep breath. She looked at me and said, "Okay. I'll do it. I'll tell them everything."
I smiled and nodded back. I was proud of her. She was courageous and resilient. She was a survivor.
"Good. That's what I like to hear. Second, the defense will cross-examine you. They will try to discredit you, confuse you, and make you doubt yourself. They will ask you about your past, your family, your friends, your hobbies, your habits, anything they can use to make you look bad. They will try to make you seem unreliable, unstable, or dishonest. They will try to make you seem like you are lying, or that you are mistaken, or that you have a motive to frame Christopher. They will try to make you angry, or scared, or emotional. They will try to break you down."
Bella looked petrified again. She clutched Edward's hand tighter. He glared at me and said, "Don't scare her. She's been through enough. She doesn't need to hear this."
I sighed and shook my head. He didn't understand. He was too protective, too involved. He was clouding his judgment. He was making things worse.
"Edward, I'm not trying to scare her. I'm trying to prepare her. She needs to hear this. She needs to know what to expect. She needs to be ready. You know this is not a game, right?"
He nodded.
"However, this is a serious matter. This is a life or death situation. Christopher is a cold-blooded killer, and he has powerful allies. He has money, connections, and influence. He has lawyers, witnesses, and evidence. He has a plan, and he will stop at nothing to get away with his crimes. He will not hesitate to hurt Bella, or anyone else who gets in his way. He is a threat, and we have to stop him. He's already threatened her from behind bars. Do you understand?"
Edward nodded again, but he looked furious. He looked at me and said, "I understand. But I don't have to like it. I don't like what the defense is going to do to her."
I sympathized with him. "Neither do I, Edward." I turned back to Bella. "And that is why I am here to prepare you. To ask you questions the defense might ask you. For instance, they might ask you why you didn't tell anyone about Christopher's abuse, or why you didn't leave him sooner, or why you didn't call the police when he attacked you. They might ask you if you have any mental health issues, or if you have ever used drugs, or if you have ever cheated on Christopher. They might ask you if you have any grudges against him, or if you have any financial interests in his downfall, or if you have any romantic feelings for Edward. It's okay to breakdown in this room tonight, but not on the stand. If you feel you're about to lose it, ask for a break. You will have to answer the question first, but then you can ask for a break. Do you understand?"
"Yes, I understand," Bella said. There was still fear in her voice, but also a hint of determination.
Finally, after four hours of grueling questions, we took a break and ate some dinner. Bella only broke down once, and I comforted her as best as I could.
"Bella," I said as I stood up with my briefcase, "you did great. Do you feel prepared?"
"Yes, but I'm still scared," she admitted.
I smiled warmly and reached for her hand. "I'm going to tell you a little secret, fear makes us resilient. We can do anything when we are afraid."
For the first time since I had been here, Bella smiled. "Thanks, Jessica," she said. However, I could see the worry in her eyes. She knew the trial was not going to be easy. She knew Christopher was not going to give up. She knew we had to be ready for anything. And so did I.