“You’re safe, Edward. I’m sorry,” I whispered in his ear. “I
love you and I will always be by your side. I will do everything to make sure
that Esme will pay for what she’s done to you. You’re okay.”
“Bella,” he choked out, his nose buried in my neck as he
gripped Carlisle’s hand.
“Shhhhh,” I soothed, running my fingers through his damp
hair and rocking him tenderly. Carlisle kissed Edward’s temple and gave us some
privacy. Edward wrapped his arm around me and pulled me flush to his body. His
grip was tight. I could feel every muscle tremble and his breathing panting
against my shoulder. When Carlisle closed the door, I pressed a kiss to
Edward’s forehead, guiding him to rest on my chest. “Listen to my heart,
Edward. Take slow, deep breaths, love.”
He did that, finally calming down. “I’m sorry,” he
whispered, his voice ragged and haunted.
“Don’t apologize, baby,” I said, leaning my cheek against
his sweaty hair. “Don’t ever apologize.”
“I’m a fucking mess,” he frowned. “I hate this. I hate
feeling this way.”
“You may be a fucking mess, but we’ll get you help,” I
whispered. “And don’t apologize ever again, Edward. This wasn’t your fault.”
“Isn’t it?” he asked, sitting up. His face was flushed and
still so gaunt. He’d lost so much weight. In Napa, he was easily thirty pounds
heavier of pure muscle. Now, he was skin and bones. “If I hadn’t trusted Esme
so easily, none of this would have happened.”
“Esme is a predator, Edward,” I said quietly. “She sees a
weakness and exploits it. Even Felix was one of her victims.”
