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𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐘-𝐄𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓

    𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐄𝐍 𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐒 𝐎𝐍 an airplane, this time the party of four has now become a party of five. Liz hasn't spoken since they left Volterra, the screams of those people still echoing in her brain. Even worse, a migraine has started up again, so it did not help.

    The others seemed to understand her need for space, especially when they were forced to separate on the plane. Liz had decided to sit with a couple strangers while the others sat together. She knew it bothered them, mostly Jasper, but she refused to ever acknowledge any of them during the trip back. Her mind was spinning, trying to process everything.

    Unlike the flight to Italy, Liz couldn't sleep on the flight back. Not even when pretty much everyone else on the plane was. She just stared out the window in a complete daze, anxiously tapping her fingers on her thighs or constantly getting up to use the restroom, but that was basically to throw up all of the contents in her stomach, which wasn't much, but it didn't stop her from dry heaving either. Jasper had asked her if she was alright each time she had gotten up and each time, Liz would just nod nonchalantly and go back to her seat.

    When the plane finally landed, Liz was extremely exhausted and weak. She just grabbed her book bag which was the only item she had brought with her and didn't bother to wait for the others as they started to deboard the plane. She could feel them behind her, following her out, but she didn't that slow her down. She went as fast as her tired and injured leg could take her.

    However, as soon as she reached the front of the airport, she was brought to an immediate halt upon seeing who awaited her. Jasper, Alice, Edward and Bella were right behind her, all stopping behind her, turning to see what she was staring at. Liz felt like she was punched in the gut once again, coming face to face with the rest of the Cullen family. All of them, every single one she thought she'd never see again, were standing there in the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

    She looked between all of them as they smiled upon seeing them, mainly Edward who walked up to Esme first, the woman being the first to embrace him. The next being Carlisle then down the line. Bella never once left Edward's side, hugging Esme when she opened her arms to the girl. Alice went over and hugged Rosalie, everyone looking exactly the same.

    Liz felt her throat close tightly, feeling the tears starting to form and no matter how hard she tried to hold them back, her restraint was failing her. She looked at all of them, seeing Emmett who hugged Edward and then Bella, before turning to Liz with the biggest smile on his face... until he saw the look on her face. The look that held nothing but pain and heartbreak and betrayal.

    Emmett was her closest friend. She started to see him as a brother. They were so much alike. Same sense of humor, same competitiveness, same sarcasm. Out of everyone in the family, besides Jasper, Liz loved Emmett the most.

    And he left her without so much as a goodbye.

    A hand gently being placed on her back caused the blonde to jump out of his touch, turning to face Jasper who understood exactly what she was feeling. Now that they were safe again, now that there was no threat, all that anger and resentment that Liz had stored in a box has now resurfaced. Another tear spilled down her cheek as Jasper gave her a heart felt look.

    Liz felt like she might be sick all over again, but she already emptied all the contents in her stomach. She wanted to run to them, hug them all, even Rosalie, despite the fact that they have never gotten along well, but the surface anger was too much... too overwhelming. Too nauseating. She felt her heart shatter all over again as the memories of them leaving her behind resurfaced, all of them left without so much as a goodbye. The way she stood outside of their house like a fool, sobbing on the porch and banging on the door, pleading for one of them to hear her.

    But they were gone. They all left her. They abandoned her at a time where she was barely functioning. All can't just be right again, she can't just pretend like it was not soul crushing. She is not Bella. She can't just forgive and forget. Bella wasn't broken before they left. Liz was.

    She didn't realize she hadn't really breathed properly until Bella came up beside her and she took a startling step back, looking between Bella then Alice then Edward and then lastly, Jasper. Jasper was still glued to her side, but he did not make the mistake of touching her again. The minute Liz noticed the pain and regret on his features, she looked away, not having the courage to acknowledge his guilt at the moment, even after everything that had just happened with the Volturi, after thinking she was going to die and watching him endure Jane's torture pain illusion.

    "Speed racer," Emmett suddenly said, using that familiar nickname he had given her the same day she gifted him with the name 'Bigfoot'. Her blue eyes locked with someone who she cared for so much, and betrayal seeped through. It was taking everything inside Liz not to break down.

    They don't deserve to see me crumble.

    Liz was walking before any of them could have the guts to say anything else to her. She made her way towards the exit but she knew they were all following her, Jasper right on her heel. "Liz. Liz, please stop."

    He reached out for her hand again but she pulled away as if he burned her, ignoring the shiver that went through her spine at his touch, just like he was always able to do to her. They were not in Volterra anymore. Her fiery eyes glared into his captivating golden ones, so hard Jasper winced, but that must be from the emotions he is able to pick up from her, whatever little he could feel.

    "Liz?" A new voice said from a few feet away and Liz was finally able to let out a breath when she saw Mitch standing there, eyes filled with worry as he looked between her and who he assumed was Jasper.

    Before they boarded the plane in Italy, Liz had texted Mitch asking for a huge favor. The reason she texted him and not anyone else is because she knew he'd most likely be the only one able to do so. She couldn't text Angela because she could never drive all the way out to Seattle. She couldn't text any of her school friends because to be honest, she really did not want them to see her breaking down nor did she want them to know that the Cullens are back. The amount of questions would be endless.

    She had considered texting Nolan, given the fact that he does live in Seattle, but he can't exactly drive so that was a bust. Mitch was the best option, only because she knew that he would come through and he'd understand given they were in the 'broken hearts club' after all. He didn't even question it, just asked for the time her plane landed and promised he'd be there.

    Jasper looked over at the male briefly before looking back at Liz, his eyes pleading for her not to leave. He had no idea who that was, and at the moment, he was holding back his eternal fear of who he could possibly be.

    "Liz, please." His voice was stiff and a bit shaken. "You promised we could talk. Can we please just talk?"

    A part of her wants to scream 'yes'. She wanted to talk to him, to hear him out, scared that if she leaves now that he will be gone once again. It's what she always wanted for so long. She laid in bed for weeks praying he would come back and take back everything he said. To tell her he was wrong. Even after she forced herself out of bed and back into some normalcy, she wanted this more than anything. And now that he is here, doing what she had wanted for so long, she wanted nothing more than to run away as far as she could get.

     Liz turned back to Jasper, another tear escaping her eyes as she shook her head. "I can't. Not right now. I need time. You need to give me time."

    Jasper stared at her with nothing but regret, before nodding his head reluctantly. With that, Liz turned and walked right to Mitch, more tears streaming down her cheek. Mitch placed a gentle hand on her back as he guided her towards the exit, both ignoring the intense stares watching them exit the airport. Mitch respectfully didn't say anything until they got to the car.

    "Was that who I think it was?"

    Liz couldn't find her voice, pressing her hand to her mouth and nodded, her shoulders beginning to shake.

    "Are you okay?" He asked cautiously.

    Liz only shook her head, the events that went down in Volterra and the emotional distress she was going through was too much. She let out a sob, and Mitch reached over and held her tightly, not saying anything more and just allowed her to get it all out.

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    𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐃𝐑𝐈𝐕𝐄 from Seattle to Forks was long and dreary. Liz had been completely numb during the whole way, not even phased by being back on the highway. Not after everything that has happened in the last three days. Three days, that's how long this entire endeavor had taken.

    Liz's mental state wasn't at the best place. She had fallen asleep for about an hour, but she was startled awake by those haunting screams and those beady red eyes. She was physically and mentally drained and all she wanted to do was fall asleep for hours on end.

    Mitch has been a true friend, one Liz doesn't think she could ever repay. The whole drive, Mitch had let his curiosity get the best of him and had asked her what exactly happened that made her get on a plane to Italy with her ex-boyfriend. Liz didn't blame him, he has every right to ask questions. He literally drove hours just to pick her up and drive her back. Liz didn't know what to tell him exactly and she didn't exactly have the energy to come up with some lie. So she told the truth, to an extent.

    She told him about how Bella's ex-boyfriend wasn't answering his phone for his family and how they were all worried about him, seeing as he has been very depressed lately. They were scared he was going to do something stupid and they needed Bella's help to talk him over the ledge. Liz happened to be there with her when Alice and Jasper came back and she knew she needed to go with Bella for support.

    It wasn't the best excuse, but seeing as there was some truth to it, it was more believable. Mitch had been completely surprised, happy to hear they had gotten to him in time and managed to convince him to return home with them before he did something terrible. But he was more concerned about Liz, asking how she was. During their time together, and their little club they formed together, Liz had told Mitch as much as she could about Jasper. She told him that Jasper left her, even after promising he would never hurt her or leave her. How she felt completely broken afterwards and how her carefree persona was all a lie and she was totally dying inside. It was a two way street, though.

    Mitch had told her all about his ex Pete and how much of a controlling ass he was and even though Petr could be a bit of a jerk, Mitch was madly in love with him. They had made plans for the future and everything. Mitch had no idea Peter had been cheating on him for two months. Yeah, that was definitely harsh.

    Mitch has become an important person in Liz's life. He wasn't just her friend, but he was actually like an older brother. A part of Liz was ecstatic to have him in her life, but the other part was terrified because the last two guys she even considered to be like a brother to her have left her and hurt her.

    So when Mitch was more concerned about her well-being than badgering her about the specific details of what happened, Liz had reached over and wrapped her arms around his neck once he pulled into her driveway outside of her house, kissed his cheek before resting her head on his shoulder. Mitch let out a breathless chuckle, putting his silver Dodge in park before patting her arm comfortably.

    "What's this for?" He asked, as if it wasn't obvious.

    Trying not to deal with the fact that the Cullens are back or that she basically ran out of that airport in hysteria, or the fact that she just met the most powerful coven of vampires in the world who now expect her to turn into one very soon— or the fact that she can see Danny's truck in the driveway meaning she is going to have to deal with the hell that awaits for her there, she let herself smile timidly. She was tempted to beg Mitch for another favor and ask if she could move in with him.

    But instead, she just held him tighter and sighed in exhaustion. "For making fun of my Halloween shirt that started the best friendship I could ever ask for."

    A bright smile spread on Mitch's lips as she rested his head on top of hers. "Yeah... I am pretty amazing, aren't I?"

    Liz flicked his ear but giggled at his words. Mitch just chuckled, rubbing her arm softly. "You are literally the best thing that has happened to me in a long time, Liz. So even if that means driving three hours to pick you up, I always have your back."

    Liz pulled away and smiled genuinely at him, her true first smile in days. "Right back at ya. Thank you again."

    With a promise to call each other soon, Liz grabbed her backpack from the back seat and hopped out of the car. It was early noon, but it was a Thursday so Ester should be at work. Maybe she'd get lucky and it will only be Danny? He will still give her an earful but at least he will be easier to deal with.

   When she entered the house, it was eerily quiet. She closed the door behind her, expecting to see Ester marching up to her, but none of that happened. Instead, she heard movement from down the hall, where Ester and Danny's room. Liz decided if she should let her know that she was back. A part of her just wanted to go upstairs and pass out. She felt like she could fall over any minute with how weak she was.

    Ester walked out of the room just in time, dressed in her waitress uniform and purse in hand. She stopped when she saw Liz, her facial features molding into surprise before quickly turning into a harsh glare. Scoffing, the oldest Chambers sister shook her head and basically moved around her, reaching for the jacket on the coat rack. "Well, you're alive. Good to know."

    "Ester, I'm sorry I left like that."

    "Honestly, Liz, I don't want to hear it. I can't deal with you now, I am late for work." Ester snapped, turning to open the door but paused before looking back over at the younger blonde. She looked like she wanted to say something, to yell or scream, but Ester just shook her head disappointingly and walked out of the door, slamming it behind her. 

    Liz winced at the noise, the pain in between her eyes increasing. Sighing in defeat, not having the energy to even feel a tad bit guilty, Liz moved towards the kitchen and ate a banana in order to get something in her stomach before forcing herself upstairs. It was painful. She felt like her body was screaming at her with each step she took and by the time she got upstairs, she collapsed in her bed.

    Liz was asleep before her head even hit the pillow.

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    𝐋𝐈𝐙 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐀𝐆𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐓 the wall, arms crossed and jaw tense. Her lips pressed together tightly, trying her best to remain strong and suppress her emotions as Bella stood with her back facing her, Edward on the staircase and the rest of the Cullen family gathered together before them.

    After about five hours of much sleep, Liz was awoken at eight-thirty by Bella who had been blowing up her phone, begging her to meet her at the Cullen house. Liz is clearly still so delirious and not thinking straight because for some reason she can not phantom, she finally agreed, seeing as it was clear Bella wasn't going to give up.

    She really was very stupid, wasn't she? She ran out of that airport so she wouldn't have to deal with any of them so soon, so she would have time to get her mind functioning correctly again. But now here she was, after throwing her bushy hair into a terribly messy bun and getting on her bike, riding all the way to the Cullen's place.

     Liz felt a little bit better this time being in their presence, seeing as she was more prepared. At the airport, she was running on fumes and fading adrenaline when she faced them. Her emotions were unstable. At least this time, after having a few hours of sleep, she is able to keep them in check. So looking at all of them- Alice, Esme, Rosalie and Emmett- she kept her expression neutral and moved closer towards Bella.

    Jasper has been watching her carefully since she arrived, a part of him thrilled when he saw her walk into the room, but was still respectfully keeping his distance as the blonde so clearly requested. Liz was trying to ignore the glances she was receiving from all of them, everyone had welcomed her here warmly, but she barely acknowledged them. Especially from Emmett, who looked heartbroken that she wouldn't look at him for longer than a couple seconds.

    When Bella finally started speaking, Liz was ecstatic. The sooner they get this over with, the better. The Swan girl had informed Liz on the phone about Edward claiming how there were ways of keeping the Volturi in the dark, this way she nor Liz would have to be turned. But Bella was clearly not okay with that, wanting Liz there in order to decide together, as a group.

    "I can't speak for Liz. She is her own person and she makes her own decisions. But you all know what I want." Bella started out, looking at all of them, including Liz. "And I know how much I'm asking for. The only thing I can think of for it to be fair is to just put it to a vote."

    Edward started shaking his head. "You don't know what you are talking about."

    "Shut up." Bella told him annoyingly.

    Liz picked her head up from the wall. "This is what you dragged me out of bed for? A vote?"

    "I want your vote too, Liz. It's important to me." Bella said, looking over at the blonde. Liz bit her tongue, looking back down at the ground and clamping her mouth shut. Bella looked at the other's expectedly. "Alice?"

    "I already consider you my sister," Alice tells her, walking up to Bella, pulling her into an embrace. Liz met Alice's eyes. "I consider both of you my sisters. Yes."

    "Thank you."

    "I vote yes." Jasper spoke next, his voice tight. Liz's blue eyes shot over to him, but he for once wasn't looking at her, but at Bella. "It would be nice to not want to kill you after every little accident."

    Bella let out an awkward chuckle, nodding her head. Rosalie voted next. "I'm sorry. I'm really sorry to both of you for how I've acted, and I'm really grateful that you both were brave enough to go and save my brother. But this isn't a life I would have chosen for myself. And I wish there had been someone there to vote 'no' for me. So, no."

    "I vote hell yeah," Emmett's booming voice came in, picking up Bella and swinging her around. "And we can pick a fight with these Volturi some other way."

    Liz rested her head against the wall again and stared up at the ceiling. Why am I here? Why am I here?

    "I already consider you both a part of the family," Esme voiced with a genuine smile, looking over at Liz hopefully, but the blonde just averted her gaze. Esme sighed, looking back at Bella once more. "Yes."

    Carlisle sighs, moving forward until he is beside Bella, staring up at Edward who looks to be in so much pain. "Why are you doing this to me? You know what this means."

    "You've chosen not to live without her, which leaves me no choice. I won't lose my son." Carlisle tells Edward, giving everyone his answer.

    The room fell silent and Liz thought this was it. She got out of her bed for something so incredibly pointless. That it was totally unnecessary that she was here, so unnecessary, she could feel that fiery rage burning through her as the words she has been repeating over and over again in her head are finally spoken out loud.

  "Why the fuck am I here?"

    All heads turn towards her, Bella taking a step towards the blonde. "I want your vote, Liz."

    Liz shook her head. "You don't need my vote, Bella. My vote is irrelevant here. If you are so fucking insistent on becoming a vampire and putting your parents through hell thinking you're dead, go right ahead. But the whole idea of me turning as well was tossed out the window when all of you assholes left me. Five months ago, I would be standing up there with Bella asking you all the same thing. But now all I want is to go back to bed."

    Alice walked up to the blonde. "Liz, please understand... we are sorry—"

    "Oh you're sorry? Really? Is that supposed to fix all the shit you all put me through?" Liz sneered.

    "Speed racer, come on." Emmett said, her eyes wide and filled with pain. "We made a mistake."

    "No!" Liz snapped, pushing herself off of the wall and moving across the room, further away from them, her voice rising in anger. "You all left me. You all came into my life when I was at my most vulnerable, when I felt like nothing in my life will ever be normal again. You made me care about you, you made me love you. You made me think I could rely on you. Not just Jasper, but all of you. You left without even thinking about how it would affect me. Now you are back trying to pick up like you all didn't tear my heart to shreds? No. Screw that. Screw all of you."

    Liz let out a shaky breath, but refused to let herself cry again in front of them. Shaking her head, she looked at all of them, her next words coming out in barely a whisper. "You didn't even say goodbye."

    Jasper took a step towards her, about to reach out for her, but stopped himself when she shot him a harsh glare. Bella had her head bowed, keeping quiet through the whole thing. Edward's jaw was tightened, watching Liz and his brother with so much intensity that he found it unbearable. He looked like he wanted to say something, anything, but refrained himself.

    "Liz," Carlisle spoke softly, causing the blonde to turn in his direction. "I understand your anger. You are valid behind it all. But you need to know, the reasons we left were to protect you. To protect both you and Bella. That is all we have ever wanted."

    Liz stared at him in disbelief, shaking her head. "Protect me? By leaving us here unprotected? Yeah, cause you all definitely protected Bella when Laurent made a surprise appearance and tried to kill her. Just like you all protected me when Victoria almost did kill me. How she held me by the throat so tightly, if Danny hadn't gotten there in time... I don't even want to imagine what she had planned for me."

    Jasper was still, as was most of the others. All besides Alice, Bella and Edward who already knew. Jasper looked so lethal, worse than he looked when he was fighting Santiago not even twenty-four hours ago. A deadly silence washed over and Jasper was still as stone, staring at Liz gravely.

    "Victoria?" Esme gasped, looking over at Alice. "Alice, I thought you were keeping tabs on her?"

    "With the wolves being in both Liz and Bella's lives, and with Liz's defect on my visions, I haven't been able to see her." Alice looked between her best friend and Liz.

    He turned towards Alice then, his eyes widening in rage. "You knew about this and didn't tell me?"

    Alice looked down, guiltily. "I only found out when Bella told me about Laurent before we left for Italy."

    That was it... the final blow she needed. Liz has never been vindictive or spiteful, but the feeling she felt now, getting this all off her chest, she felt elaborated. She needed to yell at them. She needed to tell them how much they hurt her. She has kept it bottled up for so long... she needed an outlet. It was a first step- whether that was towards forgiveness or just simply moving on- she had yet to decide that at the moment.

    "I love you all," Liz surprised them all by saying, gaining their attention back. "I've never stopped and I don't think I ever can. But forgiveness is earned and... and I need time. You all hurt me. Badly. I understand why you did it, okay? I do. But... I need time to figure out if it's enough."

    With some understanding nods and a desperate look in Jasper's eyes, Liz turned around and left the house, not realizing a certain mind reading vampire was just about ready to chase after her.

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    𝐈𝐓 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐄 𝐓𝐎 ten by the time she arrived home. Danny's truck was parked in the driveway, as it was when she left but thankfully Ester had been asleep. Danny must still be out patrolling. The death of Harry Clearwater had shaken the whole pack, and Liz can only imagine how cautious they have become now that the Cullen's were back.

    Liz went into the kitchen and grabbed a glass of water, making herself some oatmeal in order to get more food in her system, going to the table to eat it in silence. She took the time to reflect on what happened at the Cullen's. She felt... good. Relieved, actually. She needed to say all of those things. She was so used to keeping things bottled up, they just exploded out of her like word vomit. Liz felt like a weight has been lifted off her chest, finally able to tell them all how badly they have hurt her, not just Jasper but all of them.

    It definitely was enough to bring back her appetite because when she devoured the oatmeal, she grabbed two granola bars and decided to eat them in her room, ready to go back to sleep. Getting up the stairs was a bit more difficult than it was before. She had been half asleep and delirious when she climbed up these stairs after coming home earlier this afternoon. This time, her knee was crying out in pain as was her entire left side, given that it was still very weak and sore from enduring Jane's pain illusion.

    By the time she reached the top, she wanted to drop to the floor and pass out there, but managed to force herself to walk to the bathroom to brush her teeth before going towards her room. Upon entering, she moved towards the bed, ready to just collapse into it when suddenly, a voice spoke from the opposite side of the room.

    "Liz."

    "Holy fucking shit!" Liz jumped up, looking over to see a figure hovering in the corner. Reached towards her lamp and flicked on the light, her hammering heart rate decreased slightly when she recognized the intruder. "Edward?"

    Load and behold, Edward Cullen stood by her dresser, the same brooding look on his face. "We need to talk."

    Liz's eyes widened in disbelief, taking a step towards him, her voice now in a hushed tone. "Do you have a death wish? If Danny comes home and learns you are here—"

    "He can't hurt me. You live in Forks. I didn't break the treaty." He told her confidently.

    "You clearly underestimate how much those werewolves despise you guys," Liz muttered, tossing her two granola bars on the nightstand and crossing her arms over her chest. "What do you want?"

    Edward took a step forward, coming more into the light. "You need to know the entire reason why Jasper left you."

    Wow. Just... wow.

    "I know the reason, Edward. Jasper thought he was protecting me like you thought you were doing with Bella. It's not enough."

     "There's more to it, Liz."

     Liz rolled her eyes. "I'm sure there is—"

    "Jasper didn't want to leave you, Liz. In fact, he refused to leave." Edward cut her off by blurting out, causing the blonde to pause, staring up at him in utter confusion.

    "W-What are you talking about?"

    "Leaving wasn't his idea... it was mine and I forced his hand." Edward explained, looking down shamefully.

    Liz was left with more questions than answers. "What the hell does that mean?"

    "I've wanted to leave since what happened with James. I was prepared to do it, despite Bella's protests, after being forced to suck the venom out of Bella, after almost not being able to stop because her blood was so amazing to me..." Edward paused briefly. "The idea of her being in danger destroyed me. Her being in danger because of me... I needed to leave to protect her, even if it destroyed me to do so. But Jasper refused."

    "He refused to leave you. He said leaving wouldn't solve anything, just put all of us through unnecessary anguish. The others, they didn't want to leave either, so I knew I was outnumbered. Staying was bittersweet. I got to be with Bella, but I was haunted with the idea that she was in danger because of us. Both of you were." Edward paused, taking a moment to let his words sink in for the blonde female across from him. Liz tried processing his words, not liking where he was going with this.

    Finally after a couple seconds, Edward continued. "After Bella's party when I dropped you two off, I went back to the house to find Jasper isolating himself in his bedroom, everything in there destroyed, sitting in the corner with his head buried in his hands. I knew for a fact if we could cry, he would have been crying at that moment. His thoughts were not kind to him. Attacking Bella was replying in his mind and he realized he was so out of control that he hadn't even realized he hurt you in the process, which tore him to shreds from the inside out. Seeing you hurt by his hand... it killed him. But despite all of it, all he wanted was to go to you. He wanted to see you desperately. I heard it in his mind, he was going to go to you and beg for your forgiveness. I smashed his phone before he could call you and see if you'd be alright if he came over."

    The pain in her chest clenched tightly at his words, getting more and more confused. She remembers texting Jasper that night... but he never responded. Nor had he contacted her any time after that. Liz blinked at Edward. "Why-Why did you do that?"

    "I didn't want him in contact with you. I screamed at him, told him he almost killed you and Bella, why would he risk going to see you? That night, as soon as I saw Bella covered in blood and heard your scream when Carlisle reset your shoulder, I knew we couldn't stay there and interfere with your lives anymore. We needed to leave." Edward confessed, shaking his head bitterly. "But just like before, no one saw it my way. They fought against it, mainly Jasper. But I knew my only shot at getting the others to agree was convincing Jasper that leaving was the best thing for you."

    His words were like a slap in the face, finally understanding where he was going with this, her features molded into a hard scowl as she narrowed her blue eyes at the vampire in the room. "What did you do, Edward? What did you do?!"

    "I thought I didn't have a choice," Edward defended himself, but he still looked guilty as hell. "I saw no way around it. So, I did something we all promised as a coven and as a family that we would never do to one another... I used his past against him. I reminded him of all the worst parts of himself and the stuff he has done- I reminded him that you just witnessed a taste of what he truly is capable of. I reminded him of the reason he ignored you since the moment he met you, that even though he knew you were his mate, the single thought of putting you in harm would have been a constant, relentless and agonizing fear and that he was right to feel that way. I—"

    "Woah, woah-" Liz cut him off, trying to process his confession, but something he said sticking out to her specifically. "Mate?"

     "He never told you about them?"

    "No, he did but..." Liz whispered, letting out a shaky breath. "I just didn't think- I-I'm human, I didn't think it was possible—"

    Edward understood what she was trying to say. "It is, Liz. Alice saw you before we came to Forks, it wasn't always clear, but it was obvious. Jasper knew you were his mate the moment he met you. Just like Bella is mine."

    The room was spinning, so much so that Liz leaned against her mattress, slowly lowering herself as she took in this new piece of information. Mate? She was Jasper's mate? Jasper had told her about them once, briefly, only to explain what Rosalie and Emmett and Carlisle and Esme were to each other. Liz always figured it was the equivalent to imprinting. But she thought for vampires... it could only happen with other vampires.

    Edward noticed she was still processing the mate situation, but felt like he needed to continue. "I lied to him, Liz. I thought I had too. I told him I managed to pick up something from your thoughts. I told him that becoming a vampire is the last thing you would ever want, that living with him for eternity may not be worth giving up your humanity. That being a mother was something you've dreamed about since you were a little girl. When he attacked me out of anger, I knew I finally cracked him. And against his better judgment and against all his will power to stay with you, he said his goodbye and left."

    Liz was breathing heavily, her chest rising and falling as tears clouded her vision what felt like the fifth time in the past three days. But she never stopped glaring viciously at the vampire in front of her, her voice cracking as she nearly yelled at him. "Why? Why would you do that? I never gave a damn thought to being a parent before in my life! That is the last thing I care about! All I've ever wanted was him! How dare you-"

    Edward took a step towards her, his voice calm and steady. "Liz, I need you to understand that I had to do everything I could think of to convince him that he was a danger to you. He left because I was the coward. Not him. Me. I am going to go back to the house and I will tell him that I lied. But I just need you to-"

    "Get out." Liz seethed, shaking in pure rage.

    "Liz, please-"

    "Edward, I swear to god if you don't get out of here right now I will call the pack to chase your ass out!" Liz yelled at him. "I can lie too, you know... And right now, I am not above lying to them and telling them that you tried to attack me just so they break the treaty. That's how much I want to see you torn to shreds right now. Leave!"

    Edward closed his mouth and nodded, going towards the window, pausing briefly, not bothering to turn as he said one last thing. "I'm sorry, Liz."

    It was gone in a blink of an eye. Liz held a hand over her racing heart rate, trying her best to get herself under control, but it was no use. She fell into her mattress, reevaluating everything.

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Apologize for any errors I missed when editing. Really wanted to get this posted before heading into work so I edited really fast. I do plan on editing the full book once I finish the entire thing, but for now there will be just a couple errors here and there.

Now let's talk about how much we hate Edward, huh? Come on, don't be shy, I may always be team Edward, but that's only because he is the better choice between him and Jacob. BUT I'm always here for Edward bashing.

Next chapter is the last chapter of New Moon! Really excited because I feel like that chapter will be the one we've all just been waiting for.

Hope everyone enjoyed this! Again, don't be shy with the Edward bashing! Bring it!