Hello everyone! Here's the next chapter, I would never leave you hanging. School just got a little chaotic this past week. I know we are in September, but I am still getting the hang of it. Moving from teaching 4 or 5 groups to 7 is not easy.

As some of you may know, I translate the story to Spanish. One of the readers there said Bella was a hypocrite. Do any of you think the same way?

Enjoy!


Double Deceit

Chapter 25

Bella:

I sat, fidgeting, on the chair, my hand resting over my belly. While I stared at the pale pink walls of the clinic. The ultrasound image of my twin girls, a blur of black and white, a tangled mess of limbs and features, was still imprinted on my mind. The sound of their two hearts beating in rhythm with mine, hadn't brought the joy I had expected. Instead, it had brought a wave of anxiety, a fear I hadn't even named yet.

I wanted all of this Jacob and the file situation over and done. I was working very hard to be free of him. But the fact that I had to come clean and tell my parents I cheated too was eating me alive. What if they were so ashamed they didn't want anything to do with me anymore? And also, what will Edward's parents think? He hasn't told them about James and Ephraim not being his yet. He's dreading his mother's reaction.

"How are you feeling, Mrs. Swan?" Victoria Edward's nurse who was now helping Dr. Denali out while he recovered asked.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. "Tired. Mostly tired," I replied, my voice sounding dull even to my own ears. The recent events had me feeling all sorts of emotions, anxiety being the most prominent.

She nodded, her smile unwavering. "That's normal, especially with twins. You're carrying a lot."

She checked my vitals, while I thought about what she said, I knew she was right. I was carrying a lot. But it wasn't just the weight of two babies. It was the weight of all the mess I was in what felt suffocating at times.

After the nurse left, Dr. Tanya, Edward's colleague and also renowned obstetrician, entered.

"Mrs. Swan, it's so good to see you," She smiled

"Dr. Denali," I greeted, a slight smile gracing my lips.

"Thank you for accepting Dr. Cullen's recommendation to be in my care even though it's temporary," she said, her voice soft and genuine.

She studied me intently, her gaze lingering on my face, then shifting to my abdomen. "I saw the ultrasound, Mrs. Swan. Congratulations on the twins girls."

"Thank you," I murmured. I'd come because Edward insisted, I was nervous and a little anxious for this checkup. Dr. Denali didn't know it, but Edward informed me it wasn't prudent that he was my OBGYN anymore. I wasn't too keen on the idea, but now that he was convalescent at home seemed like the right time to start the transition.

Dr. Denali sat on her chair and sighed as she placed a folder on the table, the edges crisp and new. "I saw your test results and the triage sheet from nurse Hunter. Amidst that I brought you this booklet," Dr. Denali explained.

"What's wrong?" I asked worried.

"This is just some information on pregnancy nutrition, especially for twins. You're not gaining weight as quickly as you should be."

My weight, it always came back to that!

She was right. Even though my appetite had depleted in the past few weeks, I knew my weight had remained stubbornly stagnant. My face fell, Edward was going to be mad.

"You need to take better care of your pregnancy Mrs. Swan, you're on the anemic spectrum. I may need to see you again in a few days," she said.

"I'm doing everything I was advised before, I've just been under a lot of stress lately, Dr. Cullen knows that, which is why I am here."

"I know it can be difficult to find the time and energy, but it's crucial for you and the babies, Mrs. Swan. You need the nutrients to support their development."

Dr. Denali's words were kind, but there was a firmness in her tone that echoed Edward's constant reminders about my weight gain, his concern morphing into a subtle pressure.

"I'm doing the best I can," I said, my voice annoyed. She nodded, understanding flashing across her face.

"I know you are, just make sure you're focusing on getting all the nutrients you need. And don't hesitate to reach out if you have any concerns."

As the clinic door closed behind me, I felt very anxious. I clutched the booklet, the pages filled with colorful pictures of fruits and vegetables, pages full of recipes and meal plans that seemed impossible to adhere to amidst my already chaotic life. Mrs. Biers was making me nutritious and hearty foods, but nothing seemed to work. Edward was going to be worried. He's been protective of me in the past few weeks, and after his surgery the pressure and need to protect me has amplified tenfold.

As I walked towards the car, the city noise hitting me with a dull thud, I was acutely aware of the gap between my reality and Edward's expectations. This was supposed to be a serene, glowing time, but I was exhausted, full of anxiety and fear. Those were the top two emotions that gnawed at me right now.

The light of my makeshift office gave a light glow overhead, casting an unflattering glow on the mountain of paperwork before me. My fingers ached, my eyes burned, and the weight of the news from the doctor's appointment settled heavily in my chest. The appointment hadn't been disastrous, but it wasn't good either.

The weight of Dr. Denali's words echoed in my mind as about an hour later I finally pushed away from the desk, the paperwork left in a chaotic heap. My stomach growled, reminding me that I hadn't eaten lunch. I went to the main area of the house, the silence of the house amplifying the thud of my steps. Edward was already at the dining table, a plate of my favorite pasta piled high with vegetables and chicken because it was the only meat I could stomach right now. My heart ached a little. He was so thoughtful.

"How was the appointment with Tanya?" he asked, his eyes meeting mine.

I forced a smile, a pale imitation of the vibrant one I used to flash at him. "Fine," I said, my voice flat and lifeless.

He frowned, the furrow between his brows becoming more pronounced with each passing moment. "You seem... down," he said cautiously.

I pushed the pasta around my plate, avoiding his gaze. I simply couldn't bring myself to tell him that I haven't gained a lot of weight. I was also borderline anemic. He didn't press further, at least not for the moment. The silence stretched between us, thick and uncomfortable. He tried to make conversation, but my responses were short and clipped.

Later that evening, after we finished dinner, Edward finally confronted me. He sat down on the sofa beside me, his expression serious.

"Bella, what's going on? You haven't said a word since you came from the appointment. What did the doctor say?"

I looked away, my breath caught in my throat. How could I tell him?

"Nothing," I mumbled, my voice barely audible. "It's nothing important."

He shifted closer, his hand reaching out to cup my cheek. "Bella, I know you're not telling me everything. Please, talk to me. What's wrong?"

Finally, the tears came. They spilled down my cheeks, hot and uncontrolled, leaving a trail of salt on my skin. I wanted to hide, to disappear, to escape the pain that was consuming me.

Edward pulled me into his arms, holding me close, and whispered soothingly, "Tell me. I'm here for you."

I let the tears flow, letting the weight of the doctor's words and my fear leak out in ragged sobs.

"Bella, you're worrying me! What's wrong?" Silence descended upon us, broken only by my sniffles. I couldn't bear to meet Edward's eyes. I was afraid of what I'd see there.

The silence became unbearable. In desperation, I pushed away from him, my trembling hand reaching for the remote. I needed to get away, to run, to find some space to breathe.

"Everything's fine Edward, I'm just a little emotional. I'm going to stay here for a little bit," I said, my voice barely a whisper.

Edward didn't say anything. He looked confused and even a little hurt, but didn't press the matter. I watched him go, his silence heavier than any words he could have spoken. It made me feel like a jerk.

He stood in the living room doorway, his gaze on me for a few seconds. He then went down the hall each step echoing in the stillness of the house. He slammed the bedroom door behind him, the sound resonating through the quiet.

I fell onto the couch, my body trembling. I curled up in a ball, trying to drown out the pain, the fear, the uncertainty.

I don't know how much time passed, but it felt like moments later, I heard the creak of the floorboards, the slow footsteps approaching the living room. I held my breath, my heart pounding in my chest.

Edward walked in, his expression a mixture of concern and sadness. He sat down on the edge of the couch, his hand reaching out to stroke my hair.

"Bella," he said softly. "I know you're upset, but please don't push me away. I want to be here for you. But I can't do that if you don't tell me anything."

I turned my face into the decorative pillow I was holding, unable to meet his gaze. The tears welled up again, threatening to spill over.

"I've spoken with Tanya, and saw your updated medical files."

He squeezed my hand, his touch a reassuring anchor in the storm brewing inside me.

"I'm sorry, Edward," I choked out.

He sighed, "Bella, it is important that you keep a balanced diet. Are you skipping meals again?"

"I try not to, but I didn't eat lunch today, I wasn't hungry. Sometimes I don't finish my meals. I eat half and get grossed out or lose my appetite," I confessed.

"Are you vomiting during the day?"

"Sometimes," I bowed my head. "Okay," he said.

"Are you craving anything?"

"I only manage to eat my cravings. If I'm not craving anything it's really hard for me to eat. I need protein, but meat is not agreeing with me right now, just chicken and eggs," I reminded him.

"I'll make you other things with protein that are not meat," he argued.

"I'm sorry, Edward, I'm just overwhelmed with everything that's going on right now," I whimpered. He still seemed upset. Silence descended again.

He stood and left the living room. I stayed there and tried to concentrate on what I was watching. I fell asleep before the show finished.

I felt a hand on my shoulder, a gentle touch that brought a flicker of warmth to my heart. I thought it was Mrs. Biers who had returned.

But I wasn't her, it was Edward.

"Bella, what are you still doing here? When are you coming to bed?" He said, his voice soft.

I looked up, my eyes blurry with unshed tears. "I thought… I thought you didn't want me to sleep with you because you were upset about the doctor's appointment…"

He huffed, "You were going to sleep on the couch?" I nodded.

"Did he make you do that?" He was referring to Jacob.

"Whenever he was mad at me he ignored me in bed. I wouldn't be able to bear it if you ignored me so I stayed here," I told him head down.

"So you decided to ignore me instead?" He said dejectedly.

"I'm sorry, Edward."

"As your doctor and partner I am concerned, Bella, but I'm not mad at you." Edward sighed, his face etched with a mixture of frustration and love. He cupped my face in his hands, his thumb gently brushing away a stray tear.

"Me being mad at you is not something you need right now," he stated leaning closer to me.

I caved and cuddled to his embrace, "Love," he said, his voice a tender murmur. "Nothing could ever make me want you to sleep anywhere but in our bed. Nothing. We may have had a discussion, but we're a team. You're not alone in this, never forget that."

He leaned down, his lips brushing against my forehead. The warmth of his touch, the reassurance in his voice, brought comfort to my heart. He drew me close, his strong arms encircling me. The world outside faded away, replaced by the familiar safe haven of his embrace.

After a long hug I turned off the television and we went to our bedroom. I got ready for bed quickly, Edward had turned the sheets on my side of the bed and was waiting for me. I slid in and settled carefully into his embrace. I didn't want to hurt his incision.

We lay there, entangled in the shared warmth of our bodies, his rhythm calming the storm within me. I clung to him desperately, drawing solace from his presence and love.

Jacob:

My phone buzzed, a familiar vibration that sent a jolt of irritation through me. It was Leah. Of course, it was Leah.

"Jacob," the message read, "I've been cited for a custody hearing. Edward's trying to take James and Ephraim."

My jaw clenched. It was the predictable fallout of their messy divorce. I called her back, my voice low and controlled. "Leah, what's going on?"

"It's Edward," she said, her voice a blend of panic and accusation. "He's being ridiculous. He can't just take the boys."

"He has every right to question their parentage, Leah," I stated, the words tasting acrid in my mouth. "You know that."

"How would he know that Jacob? He doesn't know I cheated on him," She expressed.

"Are you sure he doesn't know?" I asked her, my tone clipped. I was in pain and needed to take my medications.

"How the hell would he know? How would he find out? We have been careful Jacob!" She insisted.

"I don't have a fucking clue of how he knows then,"

Leah sighed annoyed, "Maybe he's doing this because of the accident? Maybe he thinks the kids aren't safe with me?" Her voice rose, shrill with frustration.

"Did you tell him they weren't his?" I inquired. His claim had to come from somewhere.

"I remember he came to see me after the accident, he mentioned the boys…I got mad…I said something to him but I don't remember what exactly. I was in shock for the whole ordeal…" she stuttered.

The accident, she knew it was still a touchy subject.

"Well Leah, he's not their father. He needs to accept that."

"They're with me, and they're staying with me," she snapped.

"If the hearing is to claim custody over them you have to tell him the truth, Leah," I demanded.

"Yes, Jacob, I will tell him. He will not take away our children," she said convincingly.

"Keep me posted," I said, the line went silent.

"Jacob about the accident…" she started. I could almost hear her fumbling for words, for a way to justify her actions. But she didn't say anything else and the silence stretched on, a chilling reminder of the damage she had wrought, and the chaos that enveloped us all. As the call ended, I stared at the phone, a sense of weary exhaustion settling over me.

Two days later…

Edward:

As I entered the courtroom my heart hammered against my ribs, a frantic drumbeat against the quiet tension that hung heavy in the air. Leah sat across from me, her usual vibrant energy muted, her eyes downcast. Hayden, my son, was at daycare, oblivious to the storm brewing around him. This was it. The moment I'd been working towards for the past few days, the moment that would finally sever the last threads connecting me to Leah. What she did wasn't just the betrayal of our vows, it was the discovery of her deceit, the blatant disregard for our son.

My lawyer, Mr. Davies, a shrewd and experienced man, stood confidently, presenting the evidence. He laid out the results of the paternity test Mrs. Biers had conducted, it was damning – clear proof that the twins, James and Ephraim, were not mine.

Then, he produced the second test, the one I'd commissioned specifically for Hayden. This one was a formality, a confirmation of what I already knew in my heart. Hayden was my son, but that didn't lessen the blow the first test gave to my heart.

My chest tightened as I watched Leah's face. It was a mask of composure, but I could see the flicker of something akin to… relief? It was a baffling reaction, given the stakes.

"Your Honor," Mr. Davies continued, his voice calm and measured, "my client intends to relinquish all parental rights and responsibilities regarding James and Ephraim Cullen. He wishes to remove his name from their birth certificates and terminate any financial obligations associated with their upbringing. Furthermore, he seeks sole custody and parental authority over his son, Hayden."

Leah's lawyer, a woman with a sharp tongue and even sharper eyes, sprang to her feet. "Objection! This is a blatant attempt to—"

But Leah cut her off, her voice surprisingly steady. "Ms. Riley, please. I understand Mr. Cullen's position and I concur with his requests."

Ms. Riley's jaw tightened. She glanced at Leah, a look of incredulity and barely suppressed anger crossing her features. Leah just gave her a small, reassuring smile. I watched the exchange, a knot of confusion twisting in my gut. What was going on? Why was Leah so readily agreeing to everything? Was this some elaborate ploy?

The judge, a stern-faced woman with a no-nonsense demeanor, listened patiently to the arguments, her expression unreadable. She reviewed the evidence, her eyes flitting from the documents to Leah, then to me.

Finally, she spoke, her voice firm but fair. "Based on the presented evidence, and given the agreement of both parties, I grant Mr. Davies client's requests. Mr. Cullen shall have sole custody and parental authority over Hayden Caleb Cullen. All parental rights and responsibilities regarding James and Ephraim are relinquished by Mr. Cullen. His name shall be removed from their birth certificates, and all financial obligations are hereby terminated."

The words hung in the air, a symphony of relief and finality. A sense of calm washed over me, a sense of closure I hadn't dared hope for. I looked at Leah again, searching for some hint of remorse, of regret. But her face was blank, devoid of any emotion I could decipher. As I left the courtroom, the sterile air suddenly felt fresh and clean. The weight on my shoulders, the burden of Leah's betrayal and the uncertainty surrounding Hayden's future, had been lifted. I could finally breathe.

But as I drove home, the image of Leah's enigmatic smile lingered in my mind, a nagging question mark in the newfound peace. Why had she given in so easily? What secrets were hidden behind that placid facade? The answers, I knew, were probably buried deep within the complexities of her heart, a labyrinth I was no longer willing to explore. My focus now lay with Hayden and Bella, with building a future where love and stability would replace the lingering shadows of betrayal.

Now that everything was final I had to tell my parents what Leah had done, I was not ready to break my mother's heart.

Two weeks later…

Bella:

The drive to the Black's house was a blur, each mile a tightening knot in my stomach. I had to confront him, all of this was ending today. I was letting him know I knew everything.

Pulling up, my breath hitched. My father's car was parked in the driveway. A wave of dread washed over me. This wasn't good, my courage suddenly wavered. Jacob was supposed to be alone today.

Inside, the living room was filled with boisterous conversation. I greeted everyone, a forced smile plastered on my face, and inquired about Jacob. Sarah told me he was in his room with a friend.

My legs moved on autopilot, each step echoing in the sudden silence of the house. I reached the door to Jacob's makeshift room in the family room and paused, my hand hovering over the knob. A sound, a muffled laugh, reached my ears. I pushed the door open.

I was completely surprised by the sight that greeted me. Jacob, shirtless, his eyes closed, was entangled with Leah. She straddled his uninjured leg, her shirt open, her chest and breasts exposed. They were locked in a passionate kiss, their bodies pressed together, completely oblivious to my presence.


So guess who nailed the last nail to their coffin...

Next chapter is the one you guys have been waiting for!

Thoughts? Let me know, I read every single one. Thanks for the support!