The next few days passed by in a blur. Esme came
to visit each day, but I stayed hidden out in my room. I used Rachel’s tablet
to watch television, using her Netflix account. I didn’t really pay attention.
It was just noise. Billy listened to me as I told him the full story of what
happened, starting with my mom’s death, my dad’s illness and my sister’s
hatred. He knew the rest of the story, with the media because Jake had told him
when we spoke to him about my flying out to Washington state.
When I wasn’t talking to Billy, I was starting
rehab with Rachel. She’d removed my stitches and I was trying to strengthen my
knee. She brought some materials from the hospital and worked with me when she
was off work before going back to her house on the reservation. Eventually, I
had to go back to New York. I couldn’t stay hidden in La Push forever.
After a week of constant visits, Esme came back.
She was still dressed casually, but I could tell that she was leaving. She was
still upset. “I need to fly back to New York,” she said, her voice cracking. “Bella,
I understand that we may never be okay. I’ll never be able to regain that
trust.”
“You’ve got that right,” I muttered under my
breath.
“Hate me all you want, but don’t throw away
your relationship with Masen because of my
mistakes,” Esme said, sitting down across from me and taking my hand. I stared
at her; my lips pursed. “I know you still love him.”
“That hasn’t changed, Esme,” I whispered.
“But, I’m not good enough. He deserves someone …”
“Like you,” Esme said, pulling me closer. “You
are good enough. You’re better than good enough. You’re better than me, Bella.”
She stood up, kissing my forehead. I pulled back, turning my face away. “I’m so
sorry. I wish I could take my hurtful words back. I wish I could be a better
person and make it all better.” She put something on the table. “This is a
ticket back to New York. Well, tickets. I know that you can’t maneuver the
airports on your own because of your injury. I’ve also …”
“I don’t want your money, Esme,” I scoffed. “I
don’t want the press to label me as a gold digger.” Esme looked at me, her
brows furrowed. “I can take care of myself. I’ve done it most of my life.”
“It’s a gift, Bella,” she murmured. “Come
home, sweet girl. Please?”
I didn’t respond. Esme brushed her hand down
my hair once more before ducking out of the house. Billy came into the living
room, taking the seat that Esme was sitting in. “How much did you hear?”
“Enough to know that she is right, in her own
way,” Billy said. “Bella, I know that woman broke your heart. I understand your
pain. You feel betrayed by someone who you thought loved you.”
“Who betrayed you?” I asked.
“Rachel’s sister, Rebecca,” Billy answered.
“After my injury, ending my police career, I fell into myself. I was
agoraphobic and afraid of everything. Rachel and Jake were understanding. Rebecca,
she told me to buck up and deal with my issues. It was her that essentially
forced me into this exile, away from my son and terrified of being injured
again. She pushed me out into the world before I was ready and I fell apart. Rebecca
called me weak while her siblings reamed her out for being heartless and cruel.
I couldn’t handle being in New York, so I left. I came here. Rachel and Jake
refuse to talk to Rebecca because she refused to believe that her way was
right.”
“It’s not,” I frowned.
“No, it’s not. My shrink disagreed with her
and every other counselor said she caused more harm than anything,” Billy said.
“I love my daughter, but I can’t forgive her. Not yet. She hurt me. She hurt
her siblings. All because she felt that I was too weak to deal with my injuries
and the aftermath of my injuries. Now, you have a chance to get your man.”
“He probably hates me,” I whispered. “I left
without saying good bye. I left my engagement ring.”
“I think he understands, Bella,” Billy said,
squeezing my hands. His smile was sincere and from the twinkle in his eyes, it
seemed like he knew more than he was letting on.
Rachel Black
Living Room
Billy Black
Queen Esme of Gevalia
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