I do not own, nor do I make profit off of Twilight. All rights belong to it's author Stephanie Meyer
TRIGGER WARNING: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS MENTIONS OF NON SEXUAL ASSAULT, ABUSE, AND ADULT THEMES AND LANGUAGE! IF YOU ARE TRIGGERED BY BY ANY OF THESE TOPICS PLEASE DO NOT READ FURTHER AND IMMEDIATELY EXIT! THERE WILL BE OTHER CHAPTERS THAT ARE SAFE IN THE FUTURE, SO PLEASE SKIP AND TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF!
REVIEWS:
AliceCullen3-AND I LOVE YOU!
Books-n-Harleys-OMG NEW FRIEND! I'm so happy, that your happy! Of course I would love to be your friend and please feel free to send me your socials, I do have to warn you I'm not too active on instagram but I'm trying to be. I am on active on everything else though,but I'm afraid you might not want to follow me as I am quite the geek lol. I know I shouldn't say this, but I like Sarah, I like'd her when I created her, but that doesn't mean I like everything that she does, even though I'm the one making her do those things lol if that makes sense? I knew when I first brought her into the story in chapter one that she would appear like a villain, but I never saw her as one. It's kind of similar to the Joker, hiss backstory is tragic and you understand why hiss mind forced him into the state that it is, but you don't approve of it, yet you can't imagine the story of Batman without him. (See I'm a geek lol) Mare's story is nothing without her mother, she's wouldn't be as kind and calculated without her. Honestly I loved writing Sarah's backstory, not only did it come really easy to me, but it was so much fun bringing everything together and all those easter eggs that I teased back in chapters 1-15 are now coming together and I'm honestly fangirling over it, although I don't think it's good to fangirl over your own work so scratch that last sentence, (It makes me feel conceded, which my own insecurities do not approve of lol) Your amazing words are honestly WAYYYY to kind and you need to stop right now my friend, I can't take it! I so appreciate it, but I don't feel like I deserve it lol, I'm just a girl that sat down to write a story revolving around the Cullen family because I didn't feel fulfilled in the family dynamic in the books. This last week I've gone back and reread your words over and over and OMG their too nice I just can't thank you enough, I don't know if theirs words honestly, but thank you so so so much! Your are too nice to me my friend and I can't find the words to thank you enough other than THANK YOU!
Boxessssss- When I wrote this fic, I never really hates Sarah, but ELIZABETH?! No I hate that *&%$ lol, I wrote Sarah to be the decoy villain just so when the grandmother comes into play, it's like a lightbulb moment where everyone's like "Wait a minute." Now don't get me wrong that doesn't mean I don't consider Sarah to be free of her consequences no, she's still wrong and should still be held accountably, but I just want to show theirs may be a backstory to someone's actions and while we shouldn't excuse the bad things they've done we should understand why they did it (Still doesn't make that right! Just want to make that clear) I'm really happy you liked this chapter, but also feel great sadness that it's been a tough day for you! I get them too and it's never fun, please remember in these tough days/weeks to take care of yourself. Go for a walk in nature, take a bubble bath with a special bath bomb, get your favorite food/cheat meal, and don't feel bad about eating it, rewatch your favorite movie, read that book you've been meaning to read, journal, please find that one happy thing and do it for yourself! You matter, you're important and I hope to hear from you soon!
agabriellafiguiredo- I always talk about how I don't hate Sarah, but Elizabeth (grandmother) Oh I hate her, I have nothing good to say about her and even if she has a redemption arc in the future, I'll still hate her and I would also put an end to her lol. I agree with your statement, Mare's mother does love her but she should be able to rest and get away from her, it doesn't mean Mare doesn't love her mother it, just means I think she should be able to have the life she really should have always been aloud to have. I love your choice of wording in this review, you mt friend are very, very smart and articulate. Thank you for your amazing words, as always I love to see you name pop up and read what you have to say, it really makes my day and I can't thank you enough for giving this little story of mine a chance, Have an amazing week and I hope to hear from you soon!
Guest- I'm sorry, I promise after a few chapters their will be some, at the end of this tunnel. You're very right, abuse does come in all shapes and sizes and it's so important that we understand that. Thank y0u for your wonderful comment and words! I appreciate it so much and enjoyed seeing and reading your review
Ooshnish- HELLO FRIEND! It's been a while! I know My idiot self forgot that Easter wasn't until the next week so I quickly threw up a chapter just to keep my promise of pretty regular uploads! I'm so sorry my scatterbrain self did that! I'm happy that you got to binge all three chapters and I'm even happier you're enjoying Sarah's story, I know we're kind of far off from Twilight, but don't worry we'll get back to it ;) Just please bare with me for a few more chapters I find it very prudent that we completely unravel Mare's life before being trust back in to the book...spoiler. (Only the best spoilers for you my friend!) I hope you had a great March and enjoyed your Easter Holiday. Aa always I thank you for the your words and interactions, I just love responding to you! Please have a healthy and safe week, and I'm sending only the very best vibes your way. All my love, Coffee.
AexisHard- Wow, your review was so truly and unbelievably kind, and I can't thank you enough for it! The fact that you sat down and read this whole story in one go is amazing especially seeing that it's now over 100,000 words. You can't see me, but I'm silently clapping for you in a coffee shop and looking completely psychotic. I love that you love Carlisle and Esme and I promise you that if you keep reading I can replace Carlisle and Esme names with mom and dad ;) I also promise that we will eventually hop back into their universe...spoilers You have no idea how happy I was to read that the characters are exactly as you imagined them, it was a fear of mine that they would stray from their original construct in the books, but I feel relieved that their still the way saw them. Lastly, about the love interest, when I started this story I already had someone picked out for her and I can not confirm or deny the possibility that he may be a wolf...we'll have to see. Thank you so much for your kind words, they really do make my day and I honestly can't thank you enough! P.S kisses from ARGENTINA! OMG THANK YOU! I accept and send my own back from the North America Continent!
Harsh Truths
Gretchenia- As I always say luv, take your time reading and reviewing, there is never a need to rush and I will always be right here when you're ready! I can't wait for you to read chapter 46, but also please read the trigger warnings and take care of yourself, there is no harm in skipping if you have too. I'm happy Mare and the Cullens are there for you, when you need a little pick me up or are having a hard time at work, I've been there and done that and also love to get lost in stories and literature so I understand. You're always so incredibly nice to me and I can never thank you enough, but I truly don't believe I deserve the wonderful words you're always bestowing upon me, I'm just a girl with a story and a computer, and I'm so happy that this story makes you happy! Please as always take your time and be kind to yourself. Practice some self care and understand that you are truly worthy and things are going to look up. Have an amazing week and show the world who you are! Be brave and be safe, all my love, Coffee10!
"Shhh," Sarah hushes her daughter. Tonight's the night. Her parents are at some charity event, they donated a large amount of money to god knows what, and now their at a party designed to make them feel special for giving a few hundred thousand dollars. Honestly, her mother lives for these events, she gets to dress pretty, brag a bit, and prance around on the Callahan's name. This is the perfect night to leave. All month Sarah has done her part, she's found a suitable apartment, secretly switched Marceline from her expensive private school to public, and set up her new sponsor and training program at a new ice rink with a new coach, this one even has dates set up with coaches from all over the world to look at the girls. She's virtually erased her parents from her and Mare's lives, their are no longer on any paperwork and essentially gone completely. She can't erase her name but it could be a coincidence, there's no problem there, all that's left is to pack and leave. She's written her parents a note, begging them to leave her and her daughter alone, it's a simple request one she's not sure her mother will respect, but she's going to hope. She had written the note six times now, and each time it didn't sound right, but finally, she was happy with it.
"I don't want to go." Mareceline looks up to her mother with tear-stained cheeks. Sarah takes a breath and bends down to her daughter's level,
"We can't stay, everything's already done, it's just going to be you and me now okay." Marceline nods, crying harder, but to her credit she's silent, and Sarah's grateful for it, "I'm going to try to be better," Sarah tells her daughter, reaching forward to wipe her tears away.
"Really?" Sarah nods, she's drank tonight, of course she did, she couldn't do this without a little Captain Morgan, but she's not blacked out, she's just had enough to make her feel brave, that's all she needs, she doesn't have to go overboard anymore,
"I know you're only nine, but I think you're old enough to understand these things. We can't stay with Papa and Grand-mere anymore."
"Do they not want us anymore?" Sarah sighs, how does she explain this,
"I don't want us here anymore." She tells her in simple terms, "But like I said everything is going to be okay, alright?" Reluctantly Marceline nods and grabs her suitcase. Sarah has been slowly packing away all of her stuff the last few days, just here and there so her parents wouldn't notice, now it's time for the last of everything, at least the things they can carry.
"I love you, Mom," Marceline tells Sarah. Carefully she reaches down and grabs her daughter's hand to pull her along gently,
"I love you too."
…
Dear Mother,
First let me thank you for everything you have done, for both Mare and I. Second I do pray that you read this letter and read it carefully because if I know you correctly you're going to read the first few sentences and then run off to find us and I beg you, don't. My whole life I think you have known I wasn't happy, and my whole life I don't think you've cared, I think you've cared for me, but only as a child baring the Callahan name. That's not fair to me, it has never been fair to me, and I refuse to let you mess up another child as you did me.
I came to you in need, begging and crying about the horrors I have faced and you blamed me. I begged for love and affection as my rapist's child grew inside of me and you told me to be thankful you could smooth things over for me so my reputation wouldn't be ruined. When that child was born, you named her and told me to get over it. You never helped me only expected me to live with what you called my "mistake." You've repeated to me to be a parent and then made decisions without me. You told me to be thankful you paid for everything but I don't think you realize how my whole life you've weaponized money against me.
I don't need your money, I appreciate how fathers money and name have helped me throughout the years and I've taken full advantage of it and now I'm leaving. I'm taking Mare with me. We will be fine, I've got a nice place to live and arranged everything. She will no longer be going to that rich private school or taking her lessons at her normal rink. I've secured another job with better pay and see a good future for us. Some day I feel it prudent that we will reach out again, but for now, I need to do this on my own. I know I'm not well, but your treatment isn't helping either Mare or me.
Please take care of yourself and continue your daily routine, trust that you have raised me alright and that things will work out.
With all my love Sarah
"Call the police," Elizabeth screams, throwing the letter at John. He hasn't read it and he's not going to.
"No," John says casually stirring the scotch in his glass with a swirling motion,
"Excuse me?" Elizabeth turns to her husband, fire blazing in her dark blue eyes.
"You heard me, Lizzy, I said no." In a second she's crossed the space between the two of them and leans in closer to him.
"What is wrong with you?"
"What is wrong with YOU?" John says lifting one eyebrow,
"Who are you and where is my husband?" John places his scotch glass down and turns towards his wife, giving her his full attention,
"Gone, Lizzy. I got rid of him, you know why?" Elizabeth places her hands on her hips and tilts her head,
"I would in fact." She bites back,
"Look at this beautiful home we have, the one we both worked so hard for. The one I worked hard for."
"Oh fuck off John all your money was simply handed to you." John doesn't get angry at this, he should but he doesn't because most of it is true,
"I work Elizabeth, I work hard. Yes, we both come from money, a lot of it, but this home wasn't simply bought, it was also made and I worked so hard to make it a home, a safe one too. We live in the nicest building in the city, a whole floor to ourselves with our own elevator and key. How lucky are we?"
"Where are you going with this John?" Elizabeth scowls grabbing his scotch glass and downing it in one go,
"We're not lucky. Money bought this home, it bought those clothes you're wearing, the 5 million dollar diamond in your wedding ring, the hair color to cover your grays, the botox in your skin, this nice bottle of scotch," John states calming reaching into his globe where he keeps the most expensive bottles and pours two glasses of the nice booze. "You know what it doesn't buy, happiness-"
"Shut up John!" Elizabeth snaps chucking her half-full glass at the wall, John doesn't even flinch,
"Are you happy Elizabeth?" She doesn't answer. "I'm not, and I'm the richest man in this city...but I'm not happy, I don't feel loved, not by my wife, not by my daughter, I felt loved by my granddaughter, but you drove her mother away, and now it's just us." John takes a long drink of his scotch. "It's just us, and we're miserable."
"I'm not miserable," John purces his lips,
"You are, you just can't admit it to yourself. Our son's dead, our daughter hates you-"
"Do you hate me?" Elizabeth cuts in, stepping closer to her husband,
"I think you wrong a lot of the time Lizzy, I think you were wrong about our daughter being a whore and I think you were wrong to make her carry a baby she didn't want-"
"Are you saying you wish Marceline was never born?!"
"I'm talking," Elizabeth takes a step back, her husband has never been like this with her,
"Then talk."
"I love Marceline more than anybody in this world," Elizabeth opens her mouth to speak, but John stops her with a pointed look "Shut you're mouth. I love that child, I would give anything in this world for her, money, time, anything she wanted she could have, but that still doesn't take away from the fact that the way she was put into this world was violent and wrong and Sarah should have had the choice not to be reminded of it." Elizabeth scoffs,
"What are you even talking about?"
"Sarah was raped Lizzy." John says carefully, his tone shaky, "Someone grabbed our daughter and forced himself inside of her over and over, while she cried." Elizabeth looks away,
"John-"
"Remember when you pulled her out of school and hired those men to go to her dorm to grab her stuff?" When Elizabeth doesn't answer John keeps going. "I went there, her roommate's a lovely girl. She was really worried about Sarah and asked me how she was and if she was okay. I sat down and asked her to tell me everything from that night. Lizzy, I listened and unlike you I understood, Sarah was raped-"
"Shut up!"
"You're going to listen to me" John approaches Elizabeth so quickly that she backs into the wall, John places both hands next to her head, leaving her with nowhere to go. "Our daughter was raped, she was held down while a man took advantage of her in a dirty alley and then just left her there until she picked herself up and stumbled back to her dorm with blood running down her legs, and instead of calling us she relied on her roommate, a woman she's known for mere MONTHS! Not her mother, not her father, a random girl she was paired up with. Her skirt wasn't too short, she wasn't asking for it, she didn't lead anyone on, she was raped." John steps back, letting his wife escape and run out if she wants, but instead she stays,
"You've never yelled at me before,"
"I know, but maybe I should have, maybe Sarah would still be here if I stood up for her more and if I showed her I loved her just a bit more than I did." Suddenly Elizabeth bursts into tears, loud sobbing wet tears, it's something she's only done once in their whole marriage and that was the night Marcel's body washed up on the coast.
"I'm sorry."
"Lizzy?!"
"I know I'm a terrible mother, I know I was harsh with her, but...Marceline was my second chance."
"A second chance at what?" John knows he thought the same, but didn't know his wife did too,
"To be a better mother to my daughter." She quickly covers her eyes already feeling her mascara run, "I do love Sarah, I do...I know I haven't always shown it and when Marcel died..I just...I don't," Suddenly John is there enveloping Elizabeth into his arms,
"I know."
"I'm so sorry, John."
"I don't always agree with you Lizzy, in fact, I'm downright mad at you...but I still love you...and I still love Sarah...and if being away from us is what she needs, what she wants, then so be it. Even if it hurts me." They're both silent for a second just holding one another tightly,
"She's pulled her out of school..the rink...I don't know where they've gone or what she's doing-"
"Sarah can be a good mother, remember when she taught Marceline chess?" John smiles at the memory, "they'll both be fine." Elizabeth takes a shaky breath,
"I hope she keeps her in skating, she's supposed to be competing in the junior grand prix in a few years."
"I'll subscribe to NBC Sports, we can watch out for her together," They fall into a comfortable silence, just husband and wife, lost in their own grief,
"Don't cancel her emergency credit card," John shakes his head, before resting his chin on the top of his wife's head,
"I wasn't going to,"
"Should we hire a private detective, just so we know where they are?" Again John shakes his head,
"No, we let her do this alone...we have to trust her?" Sarah sniffles.
"You think that's best?"
"Yes." Both grip each other hard,
"I hope you're right."
…
Alice hasn't moved in an hour. It's been a full day since Mare's disappeared, right out of her bed with Carlisle tightly holding on to her until he wasn't holding anything at all. If it wasn't for the fully furnished room upstairs it could almost feel like Mare was never there. Their fear of her someday just leaving came true and now, no one's okay. Esme hasn't left Mare's room since yesterday, Carlisle called out from work, Edward's been staring out the windows in his room, Rose is obsessively cleaning the already clean kitchen, Emmett hasn't moved from his spot on the couch, and Jasper...Jaspers been sitting next to Alice in the living room, but his eyes keep drifting to the already set up chest set in the corner.
This isn't fair, why would Mare be brought into their lives if she were to disappear weeks later, Alice can't wrap her head around it and most importantly she doesn't want to, it hurts too much. Carlisle did talk about a family hunt, but no one was really listening, even when there was an alert on the TV that a severe thunderstorm warning was going to be in effect for tonight, no one cared. No one wants to do much of anything let alone play baseball. Alice opens her mouth to speak when she suddenly goes rigid, a wide blank stare in her eyes.
"I'm here." Jasper whispers to his wife gently as he places his hand on her back, "What do you see." He watches as she swallows harshly, her eyes almost seem to glaze over,
"The Forks sign?" She breathes out,
"What about the Forks sign?" Emmett asks from the other side of the living room, he hasn't moved from his spot on the couch until now, slowly getting to his feet,
"Forks sign?" Rosalie pops her head in from the kitchen, looking between Emmett and Alice. No one moves, no one speaks as whatever is playing out in Alice's head runs through her mind, until Edward who was previously in his room, is suddenly in the living room next to Alice,
"I saw it in your mind," He tells her in a rush,
"Saw what?" Rose demands stepping closer. Alice blinks once, twice, three times, and then jumps to her feet,
"CARLISLE!"