One Week Later:
I didn't have much time to process everything that transpired a week ago.
Fear coursed through my veins every time I thought about all that really transpired when I first arrived here.
See, I knew that my life could be in danger, that the situation had everyone around me tense, wondering if Endrizzi was close to finding me. Anyone around me, including any child I had would be in automatic danger. So, I got in contact with Felix, and he helped me erase and doctor medical documentation stating that I had a miscarriage. When in reality my daughter survived.
I was close to losing her, and ended up with a high-risk pregnancy, practically having to work from my house for the duration of the pregnancy, and ending up delivering her almost a month before she needed to be here. We barely survived.
I hid her existence so well and made my friends promise never to speak of her. She was safely stashed away in another city, being cared of a friend and their family.
The night that Edward had appeared, I had to think quick on my feet. I couldn't allow anyone to know of her existence, even if Endrizzi ceased to exist, his colleagues and those who supported his actions were still around, and that meant we were probably still in danger.
I didn't want to think of anything else that Edward told me. Especially when I knew his only reason for coming here was to tell me, and he had so he should be leaving soon. So, I wasn't about to let my guard down, or think about all that we said.
In fact, I don't think I wanted to, as of lately it seemed like everyone had an excuse for hurting me, and they expected me to just be okay and move on with it. But I wasn't, and I sure as hell wasn't going to act like it was. So, I opted to stay out longer than before, leaving for most, if not all of the day.
Doubt and indecision were the only things on my mind at the moment.
As days passed, I came to the conclusion that I no longer needed to be here, since Endrizzi was gone.
Still, I hated the thought of never seeing my blood family again. Especially Felix who had always been like an older brother to me.
I knew Edward still had a lot to say, but in my opinion there was nothing else left to say between us. They had all moved on while I was stuck here, and in my eyes, there was nothing left to say.
In truth, I only stayed here because of the threat that Endrizzi had posed.
Now, there was nothing tying me to this place.
So, I decided to do just that.
I made my plans, and kept them to myself, before I called Felix and informed him of my decision.
He informed me that we do have access to a private jet, and told me to let him know when I was ready to depart.
So, I silently made the preparations.
I spoke first to my boss, informing them of my decision before I started making preparations.
I placed my home online to rent, and spoke to Henri's wife about collecting it, and depositing it for a short amount in return.
For the next few days I focused on getting everything done in at my job, knowing that time was winding down to leave. Edward kept his distance after the night he showed up in my house. He did continue to visit but he respected my boundaries after that the night of his return, and would call or knock the door.
Sometimes I would park in the alley behind my house and pretend to not be home, others I was to exhausted from my job, planning, and other things to do much else.
He coincidentally arrived tonight a few hours after I had, I had went ahead and took a shower, almost sighing in relief as I got out.
I almost dropped my towel as I was exiting the bathroom and ran into Edward's chest.
"Sorry, I was just looking for you. You didn't answer your phone or the door, and your boss told me you had left a few hours ago. I just wanted to make sure that you were alright." He told me as I clutched the towel to my chest, and looked away.
"I'm fine, Edward." I said. "I was just taking a shower. See? I am completely fine." I reassured.
As I moved to go to my room, his hand wrapped around my upper arm, pulling me to a stop, as his eyes locked on the tattoo on my chest.
"You kept it." He whispered, as his eyes slowly went up to meet mine.
I shrugged out of his hold, and took a few steps to get away from him. "It doesn't matter… this is a symbol of what was, and what used to be. What can't be." I told him.
He blinked, as he stepped back, "So, you've decided." He says.
I swallow hard and look away, before nodding, "I have. We can no longer be together, Edward. This- What happened between us is done. I am going to proceed with the divorce." I told him.
A gleam appeared in his eyes and smiled, "Go ahead and try." He says.
I frowned at his sudden amusement. "What's so funny? Do you think that I won't do it?" I asked him.
His smile widened, "You can apply all you want, but whether or not the divorce happens is an entirely different thing." He replies, as he coughs to hide his chuckle.
I tur, glaring at him, as I tighten my hold on the towel, "What the hell are you talking about?" I asked.
"Well, my darling wife, what I am talking about is our marriage. See, there's a reason as to why the famiglia says until death do you part… do you want to know why?" He asked, amused, as he leaned into the doorframe.
"Spill it before I loose what little patience I've got left." I demanded.
He smiles, widely. "Our marriage is undissolvable. I, myself, sent our marriage certificate to the Pope, himself. Without his approval? You'll be stuck with me for the rest of our lives." He informed me.
I felt the blood drain from my face, eyes widening, and arms falling limply to my side.
A mix of surprise and disbelief hits me like bucket of ice falling over my head, as I stare at him. The disbelief suddenly turns to anger as I realize something.
"This is why you've been giving me space, isn't it?" I finally ask.
His smile widens, as he nods, pushing himself away from the wall as he slowly makes his way towards me. "That is exactly why I have given you space. I did not want to overwhelm you, but I am not about to let you go for the second time." He informs me, as he stands before me.
I glare at him, "I hope you like disappointment, because no power on Earth will force me to go back to being your wife, I would rather die than go back." I snap at him.
"We shall see." He says before leaning to press a kiss on my forehead, and turning to leave without another word.
I stare dumbfounded at his retreating form, before heading to my room to change.
"Fuck this I am not waiting anymore." I whisper as I slip on my sneakers, after I changed into a pair of army green lounge pants, and a white long sleeve before pulling on a jacket.
I immediately move to the closet to pull out the luggage, and carryon before heading to grab my bag and passports from where I had stashed it, shortly after I acquired this place. I quickly checked to make sure that no cars where near before grabbing my things and heading out.
Without hesitating, I locked up the house, before making my way to my car, heading to another place to exchange cars.
I drove to my friend's house, smiling as she opened the door.
"Bella, what's going on? Did something happen? I didn't expect you until tomorrow morning." She said.
"Vika, hey, I need to talk to you." I told her as I looked around before stepping inside.
She nods, "James is on his way home, and the kids are already in bed. Is everything alright?" She asked.
I shook my head, "Edward came a week ago. He said it's safe, but he doesn't know of Natalia's existence. I'm here to pick her up because we are leaving the country." I inform her.
She blinks, before sighing and nodding, "Her bag is in the room with her. I just sent her to bed because we weren't expecting you until tomorrow morning." She explains.
I nod, "I know, and I am so sorry but after everything that's happened, I just can't see myself staying here. Not with everything that's happened, I need to make sure that she is okay." I told her.
She nods, "Please be careful." She told me.
I pull her into a fierce hug, "Thank you for everything. I will never be able to repay you for keeping my daughter safe. For helping me protect her. I will always be in debt to you and James, Vika. If you ever need anything don't hesitate to call me." I told her.
She nods, "I will keep that in mind." She says as she leads me to the room.
As we walked in, Nat sat on the bed, swinging her legs back and forth as she stared down at her picture book.
She immediately smiles up at us, "Hi, momma."
I smile, "I thought Aunt Vika sent you to bed?" I asked, as i sat down next to her on the bed, noticing immediately that she was still in her clothes.
She wrinkled her nose, "I heard when you got her, momma. I was hoping you were here to get me." She says.
I smiled, "I am," I confirm, "We are going to go on a long trip." I told her.
She smiles, "Together?" She asks.
I nodded, "Together. Now, why don't you grab the rest of your things, and say goodbye to your Aunt Vika?"
She nods before moving to grab her things, dropping them into the duffle before moving to hug Victoria. "Bye, Auntie. I'll miss you." She tells her.
Victoria smiles and hug her bag before we move to leave. I help her into the car seat, before I drive to the location that Felix had told me to, before calling him.
"Ciao, Isa. What's going on?" Felix asked.
I sighed, "Felix, how fast can you get us out of here?" I asked, urgently.
He hums, "Why?" He asked, concerned.
"We need to get out of here. Edward and the rest of their family members seemed to forget that I was all but ostrized in a different country for a long time, while they moved on like nothing happened. Suffering, and alone. No one bothered to contact, or check on me." I said.
He sighed, "Right, how can we forget. I am actually in London doing business. Are you are our usual spot?" He asked.
"Yes, I - I just got here." I told him.
"Good. Look, drive to Heathrow, I'll meet you in long term parking in twenty." He tells me.
"Fine, we will see you in twenty. You better be alone, I don't have the energy to see anyone else right now. Not after what happened with Edward earlier." I sighed, as I backed out of the parking spot.
"You don't need to worry about anyone else being here. My colleagues left earlier than I did." He reassures me. "What happened with Edward earlier?" He asked.
I looked through the rear view mirror, almost sagigng when I noticed that no one had followed me, and that Natalia was asleep, before I sighed, "He informed me of something earlier." I answered, through stiff lips.
"What?" He asked, curiously.
"He sent our marriage certificate to be registered by the Vatican, to the Pope himself. We can't get our marriage dissolved or annulled with out the Pope's permission." I sighed.
He gasped before he burst out laughing, "Oh shit."
"Oh shit is right. It is illegal to get a fucking divorce by their law. So, if I can't get a divorce you bet your ass that I will do everything in my power to put distance in between us. I will make it my life mission to erase my very existence from his life." I said as I drove.
"How exactly are you going to hide the fact that you and Edward had a kid together? I mean he's bound to find out." He told me.
I shook my head, "That's already been handled. I told him that I had miscarried after the accident." I informed him.
He sighed, "I don't like this, Bells. But I made a promise, I will see you two in a little while, be careful." He said before hanging up.
I let out a long breath before looking down at my phone, pulling out the sim card, before throwing it out of the window, stopping only to buy a burner before continuing to drive in the direction of Heathrow.
As soon as I arrived to the airport, I pulled out the bags, and Natalia, before making my way to the location Felix had told me.
I found him waiting for me, and smiled when he grabbed a trolley, placed our bags on it before leading me to the hangar.
"You ready to go?" He asks.
I hesitated before nodding in response as I went to sit with Natalie in one of the seats.
"Here's to starting a life anew." Felix sighs.
I nod, "Yeah, life anew." I breathed, thinking back to the note I left on my door for Edward.
This is what you wanted after all, wasn't it, Edward? To keep us safe. Well, this is me giving you that.