Confused by the recent encounter with Embry and the unspoken tension surrounding the mention of the Cullen residence, I continued my journey to the mansion at the top of the hill.
The mansion loomed ahead, an imposing silhouette against the sky. Alice, still asleep, was cradled in the wagon, seemingly unaffected by the threatening events just minutes ago.
As I approached the mansion, the weight of unanswered questions hung in the air.
Surrounding the estate, a meticulously manicured lawn stretched out like a lush green carpet. Rows of rose bushes adorned the landscape, their blossoms in various stages of bloom, painting the surroundings with a riot of colors.
I parked Firerain and walked up to the grand entrance. I knocked gently on the ornate wooden door, a mix of anticipation and worry pulsing through me as I waited for a response.
As the door swung open, Esme appeared. Her usually warm and welcoming expression shifted to one of concern when she noticed Alice's state in the wagon.
"Bella," Esme said, her voice a soothing melody, "what happened? Let's get her inside."
"She's ill." I stammered as I ran to where Alice lay, but somehow, Esme beat me there and gracefully moved to pick her up. I blinked in surprise, not sure how she moved so quickly. Instinctively, I stepped forward, offering my help.
"Let me pick her up for you, Mrs. Cullen, I can—"
But she surprised me again as she, though a smaller woman in stature, effortlessly lifted Alice into her arms with remarkable ease.
"I've got her, Bella. Thank you," She said in a melodic voice.
I hesitated for a moment, unsure how a thin woman, not much taller than her daughter, had managed to pick her up so effortlessly, but then concern took over.
"She said she had some sort of illness. Is she okay?" The words left me in a rush.
Esme carried her with a determined grace and set her gently on the couch.
"She will be fine," Esme reassured me, but her voice was not at all optimistic. But before I could ask her to explain, she spoke again. "Bella, please, fill me in on what happened," she requested.
"I noticed that Alice was feeling faint at dinner, and she collapsed while we were relaxing in the shade," I explained to her, a sense of panic creeping into my voice. "I thought it was just the passing flu, but she told me she had an illness. What is going on?"
Her eyes flickered down to her daughter's face, then back up to me, her warm gold eyes searching.
"She has an illness that she was born with," Esme began, her voice gentle yet laden with the weight of a difficult revelation. "It's a condition that requires ongoing and expensive care. Sadly, her birth parents couldn't afford the medical expenses. It's one of the reasons she was abandoned as a child."
A heaviness settled in the room as Esme revealed the truth about Alice's past. The knowledge that Alice had faced abandonment due to the financial strain of her illness added a layer of complexity to the enigma of her life.
"I thought," I began in a quiet voice, watching the smooth contours of Alice's face as she lay peacefully on the couch, "Well—she said she was kept in some sort of institution and that there were guards she had escaped from. I always thought it was due to her special ability. Maybe they thought her to be a witch."
Surprise flickered across her face as I mentioned Alice's powers. However, her surprise quickly transformed into a warm response. "Ah, so you're aware of her gifts," She stated, a gentle smile softening her features. "It seems she has found a confidante in you. That's a rare and beautiful connection."
Her warmth and understanding reassured me, creating a sense of acceptance in the midst of the chaos.
"Yes, she was in an institution. But she got out and has been with us ever since, becoming a cherished member of our family," she continued, her voice carrying a deep affection for her daughter. "We've done everything we can to provide her with the care she needs. Alice's resilience and spirit have been a beacon of strength for all of us."
Empathy and admiration for Alice's journey welled up within me, and my eyes began to prickle. "She's amazing."
Esme looked at me, her eyes burning with such intensity that I thought she might cry, but her eyes remained dry. "Yes, she is." She said affectionately.
"What will happen to her? Is there anything we can do right now?"
Her gaze, still warm and reassuring, met mine. "My husband will take a look at her when he gets home later," she assured me. "He is familiar with her condition. We trust him to provide the best care for her. And Don't worry, Bella," She must have thought my face looked too worried, "Alice is a fighter, and she'll pull through this."
"A-Alright." I stammered, tearing my eyes away from Emse's to look at Alice once more.
Esme stood and placed a hand on my back. Even through the denim overalls, her touch felt freezing cold. "We'll do everything we can to make sure she gets the care she needs," she repeated as she walked me to the front door, her voice offering a comforting reassurance.
"Can I come visit tomorrow?" My voice shook, and it sounded more like begging than asking.
Her warm gold eyes smiled, "Of course, Bella, she would love that."
With a nod and a gentle smile, she closed the door, leaving me standing outside the threshold, a combination of worry and uncertainty settling within me.
With a heavy sigh, I turned away from the mansion and began the journey back home.