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Dream's Shadow

Summary:
This is my take on the over- and usually poorly- done plot. Edward leaves Bella again. She is changed and they meet again in the future. There will be a big twist! Requested by Iris. Banner by Iris!

Notes:
Try it! I know stories like this usually stink, but I thought I'd give it a try. I own nothing. Stephenie Meyer owns all.

52. Chapter 52

Rating 3.5/5   Word Count 526   Review this Chapter

He is curled in a little ball of agony. It mirrors my pain. I find him on the forest floor, and I can’t stand to see him so weak.

“Edward? Edward?”

He turns his head half-heartedly. “Why are you here? Do you want to hurt me again? I’m sorry…”

“Are you all right?”

He laughs cynically. No answer is made. I sigh and try another approach.

“I never meant to hurt you.”

He doesn’t seem to believe me, not at all. It’s almost like he thinks it’s ridiculous. “Right.” I am stung by the sarcasm, so I try further honesty in return.

“Edward, I wasn’t… it’s a misunderstanding. I was just giving my friend a hug.”

“Your friend that you’re in love with.” I’ve never seen him so caustic before, like he’s trying to keep me away… no. No. God, no. Anything but that! I try again.

“When I was human. But it’s a different lifetime now, Edward. I’m a different person. I can barely stand the smell of him. He’s a friend. And he’s imprinted. He’s got something so much better than I could give him, even if I were inclined to, which I’m not. Because I love you. I only want to be with you.”

“Really?” He doesn’t sound hopeful.

“Really. Now get up.”

“You… I… do you… I…” he can’t find the words. I recognize the feeling. I kneel beside him, stroking his soft hair. My hand tingles at the contact.

“Please. I’m telling the truth.”

“Do you promise?” his voice is pitifully weak.

“I promise. I promise I love you. Do you love me?” I have to know. Can he stay with me? Will he? Can he forgive me? I pray it is possible. I need this. I can’t live without him again.

“What?”

“Edward. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I love you. I don’t love Jacob, not anymore.”

“Please don’t lie to me.” It is a plea I once said to him, a long time ago, another life. I recognize my own pain. I begin to suspect he doesn’t want to hurt me, and yet he has. He doesn’t want me… or does he? I can’t be sure.

“I’m not lying.” It’s hurting me. He is not the victim here. I wasn’t doing anything wrong. “Don’t accuse me of it. I would never do that. Never.”

“You’ve lied before.”

His words are a whiplash, a smack. I feel them strike me. “Not to you. Never to you.”

“That’s not true. You’re lying.” He doesn’t seem to believe himself.

“You don’t love me. You never loved me. I wonder if Jake will kill me, or if I have to go irritate the Volturi.” And in that second, I believe it. I can’t stand to live without him. I can’t do this again. I’ve given everything, and he just keeps taking it away. Again and again. There is nothing left. I have to give up. I have to stop fighting, or it’ll just keep going, again and again and again…