Bella's POV
Today marks my 18th birthday, and honestly, it might just be the worst birthday in history. You see, my boyfriend Edward's a vampire, a fact that's both thrilling and terrifying. According to my friend Jake and his family legends, my boyfriend and his family are "cold ones," only feeding on animal blood and supposedly harmless. But tonight, that narrative nearly shattered when Edward's brother came dangerously close to tasting my blood.
To make matters worse, Edward's sister Alice, with her knack for seeing the future, decided a birthday party was the perfect surprise, completely disregarding my intense dislike for being the centre of attention. Lately, something about Alice has felt off, and I can't shake the feeling. She used to be my safe haven, but ever since the whole ordeal with James, I've been on edge around her, though she's still my best friend, I guess.
As I opened the gifts from everybody, I hit a snag while unwrapping Edward's present. I'd specifically asked him not to spend money, and wouldn't you know it, I ended up with a paper cut. Normally, that's a minor hiccup, but in a room full of vampires, even a little blood spells trouble.
Jasper, Alice's husband and an empath, could feel the shift in the room as soon as my blood hit the air. His struggle with his own thirst was palpable, and it felt like the atmosphere crackled with danger, except for Edward's father, Carlisle, who was thankfully busy playing the role of the doctor. I could practically see Jasper wrestling with not just his own cravings but those of the entire family.
I can't fault Jasper; he can't control who he is. But I absolutely blame Alice, and I'm determined to confront her tomorrow at school. After all, Edward rushed me home in a panic, tossing me out of the party after I had to get stitched up by Carlisle. I even asked Carlisle to reassure Jasper that I wasn't angry with him, because honestly, I wasn't.
But Edward? He dropped me off with barely a goodnight kiss, and I've had enough of his controlling behaviour. It feels like he's trying to manage every aspect of my life, and when I step out of line, he throws a fit until I comply. It's my life, too, and I think it's time we sat down and talked things out. Tomorrow can't come soon enough.
The Next Day
None of them showed up at school today, and the miserable, cloudy weather felt like the perfect backdrop for their arrival. I couldn't help but wonder if they were all rallying around Jasper, trying to lift him up. Even though Jasper and I weren't super close, I cared for him deeply, just like I did for Emmett. The thought of him hurting and blaming himself for everything twisted my stomach. They were the big brothers I always wanted, and I didn't want Jasper to think I was scared of him or that I didn't care.
When I got home after school, Edward was already there waiting for me. He wanted to talk, and honestly, I felt the same way. He suggested a walk in the woods, and I didn't think much of it at first. After all, he'd once taken me to a sunny clearing to show me why vampires avoided the sun. But as we ventured deeper into the trees, I realised he was making sure no one could overhear us. He might have underestimated me; I wasn't upset. I was ready.
The truth was, I sensed our relationship was on borrowed time. I might not be the free spirit my mom was, but I refused to let someone dictate who I should be. My annoyance only grew when he started to imply he was somehow above me.
"Bella, you're not good for me," he said, as if it was a revelation and I should be thanking him for letting me be part of his life in the first place.
"Are you kidding me, Edward? Not good for you? If anything, I'm too good for you. I let you take the reins of my life, swept up in the whirlwind of love. I may not always speak up when I should, but I'll be damned if I let you waltz in, make me fall for you, and then tell me I'm not enough. You could have just said it's not you, it's me, or suggested we be friends instead. But don't ever say something like that to me again."
I was beyond furious.
"I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings, Bella. But honestly, a clean break is probably best for both of us, don't you think?" the tone of condensation dripping from his tone as he spoke.
I gazed into his amber eyes, the depths where I once lost myself, and a revelation hit me: I had never truly loved him. Instead of sadness, I felt a sense of liberation, like a heavy shroud was lifting off my shoulders.
"You know what, Edward? You're absolutely right. A clean break is exactly what I need. It's almost laughable, really. Just days ago, you were telling me about how you considered throwing your life away, revealing yourself in front of the royal vampires because you thought I was going to die at James' hands. And now you're acting like I'm not good enough for you?"
I could feel the fire rising within me, and I refused to hold anything back. "You can spin your tales and feed your insecurities to anyone who'll listen, but I won't stand here and take it anymore. Sure, I might have thought I was in love with you, Edward Cullen, but right now, you mean nothing to me. You're not worth my thoughts or my time. While you busy yourself trying to erase me, I'll be moving on, living my life with someone who makes me genuinely happy, someone who truly cares for me, not a forever-17-year-old boy caught in a fantasy."
"If you choose to share any of this with your family, make sure to tell them, especially Jasper, that I'm not angry with him. And please thank Rosalie for me; for she was the only one who was ever truly honest in her dislike of me, the only one who didn't approve of our relationship, and now I finally understand why. Have a nice life, Edward. Just stay away from me and my family. And don't waste your time worrying about Victoria, the one you so easily brushed aside. I'll find a way to handle her." He just stands there looking at me as though I'm an alien. I sigh and shake my head getting ready to turn away and find my own damn way out of the woods when another thought comes to mind.
"But before you go, here's something to ponder. I'm a smart girl, and while everyone else was caught up in their own worlds, a thought struck me during school this morning. Alice is a psychic, right? So how is it she didn't see James, Laurent, and Victoria that day in the clearing? You told me there were others like you around Forks, yet she chose to focus on the baseball game the very day that they were coming. And if she could so clearly foresee my fondness for the dress, how could she have missed the chaos that unfolded at the party? Just something to think about."
Edward goes to talk but I continue and don't let him get a word in. "Everyone knows I'm a walking disaster, so how could she possibly miss that paper cut? The look on your face tells me sister dear has been keeping secrets, even from you, the mind reader. I'm honestly shocked, I thought I was the only one immune to your abilities. I'd bet everything I own that she watched everything unfold, choosing silence instead of warning me. You could have stepped in, couldn't you? But here we are. So go ahead, continue with your immortal life as if I never existed, and whilst you are at it make sure that you keep yourself and my ex-best friend away from me."
With that, I turned to head back home, the crunch of leaves and whoosh of air behind me whispering that he had finally left. But now I faced a new dilemma: which way would lead me back? Just as I pondered my next move, I heard a branch snap to my right and spin round. It's maybe 20 seconds later that I spot Emmett, Rose, and Jasper approaching from the cover of the more compact trees, their familiar figures breaking through the treeline like a promise of companionship in the tangled woods of my thoughts.
"So, I take it you all heard of that little exchange, huh?" They nodded, a silent understanding passing between us. To my surprise, Rosalie stepped forward and enveloped me in a warm embrace.
"Bella, I know I haven't always treated you kindly, and for that, I truly apologise. But I want you to know that you have a friend in me. You made a choice that affected us all, and while I can't share everything right now, I promise I'll tell you my story someday. We came to say goodbye because I knew if Emmett left without a proper farewell, it would hurt you. I never wanted my family to bring you more pain than we already have. I've always been in your corner, secretly cheering you on. If you ever need anything, just reach out to any of us."
"Thanks, Rosalie. I'm really sad you're all leaving, but I get it. I'm going to miss all of you, especially you, Rose. And Jasper, I know you heard me back there. It's okay; I understand completely. Don't beat yourself up about it. I love you all, and I'm going to miss my two big brothers that I always wished for. Now it feels good to know I have a big sister who will leave a hole in my heart too. Just promise me you'll call and drive me crazy sometimes. That's all I ask."
They gathered around me, wrapping me in hugs and promises to stay in touch, and I vowed to do the same.
"Oh, one more thing before you go, could someone help me find my way out of her?" They all chuckled and Rose held out her hand to me and I gladly took it.
Stepping out of the shadowy embrace of the woods, a wave of warmth washed over me. I felt a newfound connection, a bond with three siblings who would be woven into the fabric of my life until my last breath. It was a happiness I hadn't tasted since arriving in Forks.
As I crossed the threshold of the back door, a familiar sound pulled me from my thoughts: my mom's voice, laced with an urgency that prickled at my skin.
Entering the living room, I was taken aback to find my dad and Phil deep in conversation, their expressions shifting to one of surprise as I walked in. An unsettling tension hung in the air, something important loomed beneath their stillness.
After exchanging warm hugs with my mom and Phil, I couldn't contain my curiosity. "What are you all doing here?"
My dad met my gaze, his tone serious. "Bells, why don't you sit down? Your mom has something important to share."
I sank onto the couch beside her, the fabric cool against my skin. Her eyes held a mixture of nostalgia and concern as she asked, "Bella, do you remember when your grandmother lived with us?"
I nodded, a bittersweet ache settling in my chest. Memories of her stories drifted back, tales of witches, vampires, werewolves, and other mystical beings. Now, as I reflected on those enchanting narratives, I realised one truth: the vampires were real, but the Cullen's were unlike anything my grandmother had described. Marble-skinned and impossibly cold, they were a world apart from the magical beings of her tales.
"I need to start by saying I'm sorry for what I'm about to reveal, but now that you've turned 18, it's crucial you know the truth, sweetie."
"Okay, Mom, but what does Grandma have to do with any of this? She died when I was nine."
"Bella, it's very important that you listen to me and don't interrupt. Can you promise me that?"
I nodded, the weight of her tone settling heavily in the air.
"On the day I told you your grandmother died, I lied. She's not dead; she's been living in our hometown of Mystic Falls, Virginia."
The words hung in the room, thick and suffocating. Shock rooted me to the spot; nine years of grief crashed over me like a tidal wave, and I struggled to process the revelation. My grandmother was alive?
"I know I told you she died in a car accident and that her body was never found, that's why we never had a funeral. But there's more. Our family is part of a powerful line of witches. When she was with us, you were starting to tap into your powers. She wanted to help you learn to control them, but I stopped that. I wanted you to grow up normal, without the weight of magic pressing down on you. So, I bound your powers until your 18th birthday, believing you'd be more mature and ready for the responsibilities that come with being a witch. In the meantime, I used my own powers in emergencies, and I erased those memories from your mind, ensuring you wouldn't remember anything about magic."
As she spoke, a storm of emotions raged within me. "You might hate me for this, and if I had the chance, I'd do it all over again just to see you smile like you did a little while ago. I'm just glad you have friends like the Cullen's, even if they are cold ones."
Her words struck me like lightning, leaving my mouth agape. "You knew they were cold ones? How? Why? And wait… you said I'm a witch?"