WARNING: GRAPHIC MENTIONS OF CHILD ABUSE, MANIPULATIONS, VIOLENCE, NEGLECT, GRAPHIC LANGUAGE, TRIGGERING IMAGERY, AND ADULT IMAGERY. IF YOU ARE TRIGGERED BY THIS OR DO NOT ENJOY IT, DO NOT READ.

Chapter Ten.

"You're lucky I love you or I'd rip your throat out for busting up my face." Paul exclaimed with a growl before pulling me into a tight embrace. His arm had fully healed hours ago and thankfully his temper had simmered down too. I hugged him back tightly in response, swallowing back emotion. "I didn't know about your mom, and I'm sorry you had to go through that shit." He pulled away and looked me in the eye with a hint of sadness. "Why didn't you say anything?"

"It didn't matter."

"Of course, it did. It always matters, Em. No one should be beat on or told they're nothing."

"Its fine, Paul-" I started to pull away, but he grabbed my face in his hands and shook his head.

"No, it's not fine. She never deserved you. You were the perfect son; perfect grades, never talked back, never got into trouble. You've never given her grief until you joined the pack and even then, you refused to tell her the pack secret because she was Makah and took the brunt of her anger."

It was all becoming too real as he kept talking, and I felt a flood of tears escape from my eyes. He was right, she never deserved me. I shouldn't have had to live like that for so long.

"Em, take it from someone who gets it. You deserve a family that loves and supports you. You deserve hugs and kisses and happiness. Don't let embarrassment or fear stop you. She's gone and can't hurt you. Live your life how you want now." His thumbs rubbed the tears from my cheeks before he pulled me back into his arms.

It was all too much, and I started to cry openly, bawling like a baby.

"Let it out. Your family is going to take care of you now." The pack was my family. Bella and Charlie were my family.

I dug my nails into Paul's back and hugged him tighter as I sobbed.

I had a family now. My mom was gone for good. I never had to see her again unless I chose to.

Time passed, I didn't know how long, and I finally stopped crying. Paul patted my back gently and we pulled away from each other. I could hear the pack inside the Uley house laughing and joking with each other.

"Come on, let's go eat some dinner and then I'll give you a ride home." He exclaimed before wrapping an arm around me and leading me towards the house. Towards my family.

My body filled with a warmth that I had never known. My heart started to feel whole for the first time in years.

Bella's POV:

After locking up at Newton's, dad picked me up and we got dinner at the diner. Silently, we both chomped on thick burgers and salty fries. For weeks I had been eating nothing but hearty, filling meals and my body was filling out. After Edward had left I barely ate and lost twenty pounds. By now I had gained around thirty pounds and my ribs had stopped sticking out.

"How is school?"

"It's good. I'm excited to graduate."

"Any idea where you want to go to college?"

"I think I'm going to take a year off. Do some reflecting."

"Sounds like a plan. Our secretary at the station, Veronica, is going on maternity leave in June. Maybe you could fill in for her."

"That would be cool."

"It's Saturday and the night is still young. Got any plans?" I shook my head as I finished off my burger. "You talk to Jake recently?" His question made me freeze on the spot and I fought to keep my composure.

"No."

"I know you both had a falling out, but maybe you could talk to him."

"I'm not the one that's avoiding him. Maybe you should go down to La Push and try and get him to talk to me." I muttered angrily. Charlie's eyes widened at my tone.

"Woah there, no need to have an attitude."

"I don't."

"Yes, you do, Bells."

"Poor Jake, he's so heartbroken, isn't he? Dating Leah and having happily ever after with her? It's my fault, right? Always my fault when someone is unhappy."

"I didn't say that at all."

"You didn't have to. I remind myself every day."

"Bella, listen to me. It isn't your job to please everyone. You should just focus on healing."

I pursed my lips before replying, "That seems selfish."

"You've been doing things for people your whole life." A silence overtook the conversation and I thought about him for the first time without feeling empty inside.

"When I started dating Edward it was a breath of fresh air."

"How do you mean?"

"They took care of me. No one really ever has." I paused and sipped some of my soda. "I took care of mom and then I took care of you and for the first time, I was treated like the child that I am. I guess that was why I put up with Edward's treatment for so long." I had opened up to Dr. Garrity during our last session and had started to see that Edward and I's relationship was unhealthy.

We stayed silent for a while as he finished his foods. As he wiped his mouth free of crumbs and finished off the rest of his coke, he coughed and spoke again.

"I'll take care of you from now on."

"Dad, it's fine. I was just complaining about nothing-"

"You're my daughter, not the other way around. So please, let me fix what I've broken if only to help you. You're not obligated to do things for me anymore."

"You have no idea how to cook and I'm not letting you live on frozen pizza!"

"I'll have Sue and Joy teach me. I'm not a bad housekeeper either. Bella, why don't you just relax? You've been working so hard and its time for a break."

"I want to at least do something."

"How about we make a chore list for each of us? So that way its equal."

"Let me do the laundry. You always forget to use fabric softener."

"Fine, fine."

After paying the bill, my dad and I got back into his cruiser and made the drive home. I felt calmer than I had in a while.

Third person POV:

The woman with flames for hair stocked towards her prey. Nineteen-years-old, black hair dyed a bleach blonde and chocolate brown eyes.

Victoria's hands clenched into fists and she scowled.

Like that blood bag, the Cullen's kept as a pet.

She surveyed him from afar as he walked over to his car, intent on getting home after his two-hour night class and hour gym session had ended.

Riley Biers, who had a scholarship for football. Riley Biers, whose muscles rippled and who's sweat dripped down his forehead from an insane workout.

Yes, he was the perfect specimen. He would be a good follower.

Now all Victoria had to do was lay on the charm.

Brushing back some hair, she made sure her stolen baby pink blouse and tight ripped light wash skinny jeans were free of dirt and grime. With brown contacts intact, she sped away from the bush she was hiding in and quickly created a scene that she was walking out of class. In the dark of the night, she faked a trip and fell to the ground, a practiced whimper coming from her lips.

Immediately, Riley turned to see what had happened. Ever the gentleman, he ran over to the injured woman and helped her up.

"Woah there, are you alright?"

"Y-yes, thank you." Victoria acted timid and fragile and Riley couldn't help but lose himself in her wide eyes. He had never seen someone so pretty.

"You go here?"

"Mhm."

"I haven't seen you around."

"I've never seen you either. What are you going for?"

"I play football, but I'm majoring in business."

"I'm going for education."

"You want to be a teacher? That's great." His mom was a third-grade teacher and he loved her to pieces.

"Heh, yeah. I love children." That part wasn't a lie. Victoria felt tears cloud her vision, but she quickly blinked them away. Riley caught her sudden change of mood and looked down at her worriedly.

"Hey, you okay?"

"Yeah, yeah. I just can't wait to educate the next generation." She wiped some dirt from her jeans and right on key, the minuscule speaker inside her shirt created a gurgle to stimulate stomach sounds. She giggled right on time, acting embarrassed. Riley chuckled in response.

"Hey, you wanna grab a bite to eat? I know a great sandwich shop with the best meatball subs."

"That sounds great, thank you." He led her to his car, a silver nineteen-ninety Honda Civic, and they drove off into the distance.

Victoria's mouth pulled into a wide, sinister grin. Riley hummed to the radio, oblivious to the danger he was in.

I'm coming for you blood bag, Victoria thought to herself. James will get his reckoning. I'll make sure of it.