Here is the chapter!
Thank you so much for the support even after 20 days have passed since the last update. I'm blown away by the fact that we are just eight reviews away from hitting the 600 mark. YOU GUYS ROCK!
I hope you like it, maybe it won't be much for some, but that's all there is.
A lot of things have happened after the last update.
I started work again, Puerto Rico was hit by Tropical Storm Ernesto, and the first few weeks of school, there were power outages, so we didn't have class. I also got a few heat headaches, and I have been very, very, very tired.
See you on the next one.
Double Deceit
Chapter 24
Condescending
Bella:
Two weeks later:
Mrs. Biers stood beside me, we were clearing out Jacob's drawers.
"This is...odd," I said, holding up a small box.
Mrs. Biers peered at the box, her brow furrowing. "What is it, dear?"
"It's...I don't know, a box…looks like a medication," I said.
Mrs. Biers took the box from me and as she inspected it her eyes widened. "What?" I pressed.
"But how..." she said, turning back to me. "For how long…" she paused unsure.
"How long have you been trying to get pregnant?" Mrs. Biers asked, her voice barely a murmur.
I stared at her, bewildered. "What do you mean? Why do you ask?"
She looked at me, "For how long have you been trying to get pregnant, Bella?"
Her question hung in the air like a fog, thick and confusing. "I got pregnant on our honeymoon two years ago. I lost the baby at six weeks. The doctor told me my chances of conceiving were slim. I went under treatment, but I was dissatisfied. That's why I looked for a new doctor and ended up at Edward's office," I stuttered, my heart racing.
Mrs. Biers placed the box down gently on the bed, her eyes never leaving mine. "It's just that... this isn't something you'd used unless..." she trailed off, her cheeks flushing.
My mind raced. "What is it?" I demanded, my voice shaking slightly. "What could it be?"
Mrs. Biers took a deep breath, her eyes filled with a mix of pity and discomfort. "It's spermicide, Bella," she said finally. "It's used for... preventing pregnancy."
The room spun around me as I tried to process what she was saying. Jacob had been taking precautions? Why would he need to?
My hand trembled as I reached out to take the box from her. The package was sleek, with a blue label that seemed to mock me. "Jacob's been using this?" I whispered, my voice barely audible.
Mrs. Biers nodded, her eyes filled with concern. "I don't know, Bella, maybe?" She said gently.
My mind reeled. Jacob and I had been trying for a baby since the miscarriage. We had seen doctors, done tests, and followed every piece of advice thrown our way. And all this time, he had been using this? It was like someone had punched me in the gut. He didn't want children with me, but he had them with Leah?
I remembered the words he said when he found out I was pregnant the first time:
"Oh for fucks sake Isabella, how could you be so stupid!" He snapped at me.
"Didn't we get married to have a family together, Jacob?" I asked.
"Yes, that's what our parents want, but not what I want," he said.
I gasped, "You don't want children with me?" I asked as my hands went to my abdomen.
"Yes, maybe in a few years not now, you're a fucking child, Isabella!" he yelled.
What else was I going to uncover? Enough is enough!
"Look Renata, can we continue this conversation later? I really want to take Jacob's belongings to the Black's before he arrives from the hospital." I pointed out.
"Fine, Bella, but we are talking about this!" She said exasperated.
We finished packing everything and took it outside. We divided the boxes and garment bags between Renata's car and mine. I told Mrs. Cope she was going to be working for the blacks for a little bit. They were going to need help with the house work as Sarah was going to take care of Jacob, although they hired a male nurse to come and assist for a few hours a day. Thank god I dodged that bullet, although I don't know for how much longer I was going to be able to evade the Black's.
I've focused on the company and the mess Jacob's dealings have left and also taking care of Edward. I weighed my priorities and Edward and the company came first much to Jacob's chagrin. Renata and I made the drive to the Black's. The house seemed empty, but Billy's Range Rover was outside. The gardeners were there and they helped us unload and carry everything into the house. Renata and I placed everything in Jacob's old room quickly. They converted the family room into a more accessible room for him. I placed his more comfortable clothes and toiletries in that area.
As I was putting the last of his things away, a tube of what looked like cream appeared, it had the same label as the box. I grabbed it and left the room annoyed.
"Bella, are you staying?" Billy asked, startling me.
"I'll come back later, I have a few more things to do,"
"Oh, okay. Is just that Jake has been asking for you," Billy told me again. "I was there every day when he was in the ICU. I also went to see him when he was placed in his room," I reminded him.
"Yes, I recall, but you haven't been to see him since he woke up and is fully alert," he pointed out.
See? He noticed I'd only gone to see Jacob when I knew he was sleeping because of the meds.
"I will try to come later, Billy, I'm a little busy now,"
"We are not taking Jake to his home because Sarah insisted to bring him here, I'm just bringing his essentials,"
"Essentials?" He raised a brow. "And some extra as I didn't know what he would want," I shrugged. Billy observed me for a few seconds, I wanted to leave, I was spending the afternoon with Edward.
"Something is different with you, Bella," Billy said, stating the obvious. "I mean not with you per se, but your relationship with my son," he added.
"Jake and I were trying to work out our 'differences', but with everything that happened everything is on shaky ground at the moment."
"I understand, I'm not making excuses here, I know what my son did to you that night, but I want you to give him a chance," he pleaded.
He had to be fucking kidding me!
"I already gave him one and he screwed that one too. There's no coming back from this!" I exclaimed and left.
~DD~
Edward had been recovering from bowel obstruction surgery. He had been staying at his parents' house, but he was now at our home. I had come to offer my support every day.
As I stepped into the unfamiliar surroundings, I noticed a somber atmosphere that permeated the air. Edward, once so vibrant and charismatic, now lay in bed, his face etched with sadness.
I made my way to his bedside. As I sat down, Edward's frail hand reached out for mine. "Bella," he whispered, his voice trembling.
I leaned closer, my heart aching for him. "How are you feeling?" I asked.
"Physically, I'm getting better," he replied, "but emotionally... I'm lost."
He shared with me his anguish over the twins, the betrayal he had felt. I listened intently, offering words of comfort and encouragement. He wanted to talk more about it today and I let him.
"Are you okay?" He asked me after he sniffled and cleared his throat trying to keep the tears at bay.
"I can't with all this pressure from Jacob's parents. I can't be in two places at once. All I want is to be with you and take care of you. They act like they don't know anything, and it's pissing me off because I don't know for certain if they actually don't know or are turning a blind eye. What if they were in on it the whole time?! They are demanding that I be with Jacob. Throwing in my face that I have only been with him in the hospital while he is asleep. Billy had the audacity to ask me to come later and see him awake. If they knew what I wanted to do, they wouldn't be asking me to do that. They wouldn't beg me to be there. I'm fed up!"
I grabbed my bag to get a tissue and some of its contents fell out. Edward saw the Spermicide box and the cream tube.
"Bella, why do you have this?"
"Renata and I found it amongst Jacob's things," I admitted.
He took a deep breath. "You supposedly had a difficult time conceiving, but he was using spermicide?"
"I don't know, Edward," I replied
He then explained how spermicide films were inserted and used to block sperm and prevent pregnancy. He also told me the tube of jelly was used for additional protection.
"You never noticed when he used this?" I shook my head.
"He always managed to distract me…" Why did I always get self-conscious when talking about these things?
"Now it makes sense why he always fingered me before he entered me. He always asked me to close my eyes. I obeyed him like a dumbass."
A silence fell between us as we grappled with this revelation. Jacob wasn't planning on having any children with me. I had the proof staring me in the face.
"Bella," Edward continued, "I'm not telling you this to hurt you. I know this is difficult to hear. But I wanted you to know."
I nodded slowly, trying to process everything. "I understand," I said. "But Edward, how could he do that? It's such a betrayal." I rolled my eyes, the pot's calling the kettle black. How hypocritical of me. Edward sighed heavily.
I paused, considering my own situation. I had also been unfaithful to Jacob. I had slept with Edward, and was expecting his children. He reached out and took my hand.
"Bella," he said, his voice gentle, "We both betrayed our spouses. We didn't mean to but we did, and nothing can change that. I don't regret it, though. Do you?"
I shook my head in denial.
Tears streamed down my face as I realized that my parents were probably going to condemn me.
"Edward," I said, "I'm so anxious about everything. I fear my parents' reaction."
"Shhh," he whispered. "It's okay, Bella. We'll get through this together."
We had both committed acts of betrayal, but when you put things in perspective a few months don't compare to nine years.
"Have you thought about what you are going to do about Hayden's custody? And the twins' last name?"
Edward sighed, "my lawyer is already working on it. I filed for sole custody of Hayden. I'm sure Leah will want to change the boy's last name. Should I ask for it or let her petition me?" He asked.
"I don't know but look for the fastest route. The faster you deal with everything will be better," I suggested.
"He'll probably ask me for a paternity test for all three boys," I nodded.
"You said you have some evidence of their cheating?" I nodded again.
"Can you get me copies? I need it for the case,"
"I'll email you," I hoped it was a quick process and that he didn't have to face that bitch.
"Are you going to talk to her?"
"No, everything will be through my lawyer. I tried calling her but she's dodging my calls. I called her home and no one answered, I called her parents and they gave me excuses," He sighed exasperated.
"I was an idiot, I fell in her trap. She was the spider and I was the fly she used to satisfy her momentary hunger. I have to stop overthinking everything and wondering if she ever truly loved me, or if I was just a distraction. A little bump on the road until she could have who she wanted," Edward said.
"I don't know what he said to her over the years, but I'm sure he promised her they would be together at some point," Edward nodded.
"I don't know how we are going to get out of this mess."
"We'll make it through because we have each other," he kissed my temple. I snuggled closer to him and sighed.
I stayed with Edward for the rest of the day, talking and laughing and crying.
"I love you, Bella," he whispered.
"I love you too, Edward," I replied.
The road ahead might be uncertain, but I knew that we would face it together, hand in hand.
~DD~
After Edward, Renata, and I had dinner I decided to go to the Black's to save face. I told Edward I wouldn't be long, I wasn't lying.
Sarah was coming from the hall with an empty tray when I arrived.
"You're finally here! He just had dinner and is watching some television," Sarah said.
"Oh, okay, I'll be with him for a bit,"
"Are you hungry? Mrs. Cope made some stew," she said walking into the kitchen.
"No, thank you," I could smell the beef stew and my stomach churned, beef wasn't it for me right now, it made me nauseous.
"Bella, you're way too thin! You're pregnant, you need to eat!" She insisted.
"I just had dinner, Sarah, thank you."
"Do you want to take some for later? I could put some in a bowl for you."
"No, Sarah, thank you," I said again.
"I'll go see Jacob now," I announced.
"Oh he'll be so happy!" She beamed.
My heart raced as I went down the hall. I knocked on the archway.
"Jacob," I called out.
He didn't answer me, so I stepped into the room, the TV was on, but Jacob was asleep. The bandages to his head and chest were removed. He was shirtless the aftermath of the accident in full display. His leg was elevated but semi-covered by the bedsheets.
A plethora of questions invaded my mind as I looked at him, he looked peaceful sleeping while I was raging inside. I wanted to scream at him! But the moment was coming, I knew I was going to bring myself down with him, but everyone would know what he had done. None of this would go unpunished. I had leverage and I was going to use it.
Thoughts? Should Bella and Edward come clean with their deceit? How will their parents react? Why is Jacob so adamant on seeing Bella? I love reading your thoughts and theories.
Happy Labor Day Weekend!
