Chapter 2 - Edward

That hurt. Not gonna lie. "I know that I am." I said.

"Edward…we need to talk." Bella said. She leaned against her bedroom door. "Driving back from La Push, I did some thinking. "Why did you leave?" She asked me.

I looked at her confused. "When?" I asked.

"After my birthday. When you broke up with me and left, you said it's because I was a distraction." She said.

"Bella, we've talked about this. You know that I lied that day. I told you how hard it was for me to be away from you." I said.

"But that's the thing, Edward. I've talked with your family, and Sam. None of them are able to go more than a few hours without being around their mates. Why was it so easy for you to be away from me for six months, if I'm your mate?" She asked me.

I was stunned. What was she saying? Was she reconsidering everything? "It wasn't. It was hard. There were so many times that I either almost called you or I turned around to come back." I told her.

She nodded. She was quiet for a while. Finally, she walked towards me. I went to reach for her but she stopped me. She slid the engagement ring off her finger and handed it to me. I took it and closed my hand around it. I slipped the ring into my pocket. "I can't marry you Edward. Things have changed. You once told me that you wanted me to have a normal human life. I don't know how much of a normal life I can have when most of my friends are wolves, but we'll see. I've decided to live. Obviously something will have to be done about the Volturi, but I'll figure it out." She said looking up to meet my eyes.

"You're sure?" I asked her.

She nodded. "I'm sure. I do love you but I'm not your mate Edward. I'm sure she's out there somewhere." She told me.

I leaned down and gently kissed her cheek, for the last time. This was what I always wanted for her. "I'll get Carlisle to talk to Aro. It'll be okay." I told her.

"Goodbye Edward." She said as I turned toward the window.

"Goodbye Bella." I said slipping through it and running toward the house.

When I walked in, the entire family was gathered in the living room. "Edward! Bella's future! It's gone!" Alice squealed.

I nodded. "What happened?" Carlisle asked me.

"Bella's changed her mind. She's decided to live instead. Will you deal with Aro?" I asked.

Carlisle nodded. "Of course. I need to set up a morphine drip for Jacob in the morning but after that, Esme and I will head to Volterra. I'll talk to him personally." Carlisle said.

I nodded at him. "And the treaty is intact?" I asked him.

He nodded. "Yes. Seems the Chief and the Alpha are grateful." Carlisle told me.

I nodded. "After we make sure that Aro will leave Bella alone, I think we should leave." I said.

"Edward! What the hell are you talking about?" Alice said. "We have to stay and protect Bella from the mutts."

"Alice!" Carlisle chastised. "Those are as much her friends as we are."

"We are her family!" Alice exclaimed.

"No!" I shouted. "We're not. Charlie is her family." I said. "After she is free from the Volturi we will leave. For good."

When I was finished, I headed up to my room. I sat in my chair by the window, just staring at the ring. I would always love Bella Swan.