Chapter 9
I first noticed a familiar scent when I bumped into him. After pulling an all–nighter in the lab, I was beyond exhausted and just wanted to get out of there. I kept my head down, muttering apologies, ready to make a quick escape. But of course, this person had to stand right in my way.”
Just as I was about to lose my cool, I heard Edward’s deep, husky voice above me, “Isabella, don’t you have something to say?“}]
His words hit me like a lightning bolt, snapping me awake. I instinctively stepped back, my eyes widening as I looked up at him. It was Edward, alright. But he looked differen, disheveled, with a bit of stubble and bloodshot eyes, like he hadn’t slept in days.
Edward stepped closer, his gaze fixed on me. “Isabella, I’m asking you a question. Don’t you have anything to say?“}
“How did you find me?” I asked, genuinely curious.
Edward looked at me, a hint of frustration in his eyes. “The Reyes family has its ways. I haven’t slept for three days and nights just to search for you, and this is what you have to say?”
I wasn’t feeling much until his words stirred something inside me–anger. I looked him straight in the eye, forcing a smile. “Oh, should I ask how you and Judy are doing? How’s the baby? I bet she loves the tunes you play for her.“}
“Enough, Isabella. I didn’t come here to fight.”
But we were far from done. I raised my hand and slapped him hard across the face. “Shameless! Do you even remember what you did half a year ago? Don’t you have nightmares?“>
I pulled down my collar, exposing the scars on my chest. “Edward, remember that day at the garden? Judy asked if being bitten was thrilling. Was it thrilling for you to watch me suffer? Must have been, since that’s the day Judy got pregnant with your child.“}
I slapped him again, this time on the other cheek, pouring every ounce of my anger into it. My wrist went numb from the impact. “Judy’s a beast, and so are you. You want to know what I have to say? Just looking at you makes me sick. I won’t let this go, Edward. I’ll never forget the pain you and your family caused me. I’ll pay it back a hundredfold.”
Edward stood there, stunned, but quickly pulled himself together. He saw the tears in my eyes and wrapped me in a tight embrace. “I’m sorry, Isabella. I’m a fool, it’s all my fault. I was out of my mind. But now I know. I can’t live without you.
“Without you, home feels so cold. I’ve blocked Judy, Isabella. I did it the day you left. I’ll never talk to her again. Look, here’s my phone if you don’t believe me.“>
He handed me his phone, desperation in his eyes. “Please, come back with me. Let’s start over. We can leave the city, find a new place, or stay here and build a life together. I’ll make it up to you for the rest of my life.
‘I’m begging you, Isabella. Just don’t leave me. I’ll do anything you want…”
