Twilight: blood & brimstone

Bella was quiet on the drive home.

She didn't speak. Didn't ask me why I had followed her.

Didn't tell me to leave.

She just sat there, her fingers gripping the fabric of her jeans, her breaths uneven.

And I let the silence sit between us, heavy and charged.

Because she was thinking.

Because she was realizing.

And I wanted to see what she'd do when she finally accepted it.

Swan House – The Threshold

I pulled into her driveway and killed the engine, watching her out of the corner of my eye.

She didn't move.

Didn't reach for the door.

Didn't run.

She just stared down at her hands, something dark and unspoken flickering in her eyes.

Something I recognized.

I smirked. "What's wrong, Isabella?"

She swallowed hard. "Don't call me that."

I tilted my head. "You didn't seem to mind a few minutes ago."

Her fingers twitched, her breath catching.

Because I was right.

And she knew it.

She exhaled sharply, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know who I am anymore."

I chuckled. "Then let me tell you."

She finally turned to me, her brown eyes tired. Raw.

"…Who am I?"

I leaned in slowly, my voice low and certain.

"You're free."

She inhaled sharply.

Because she wanted that.

More than she'd ever admit.

I reached forward, slow, careful, and brushed my fingers against her chin, tilting her face up just slightly.

And she let me.

I grinned. "Doesn't it feel good?"

She swallowed. "What?"

I smirked. "Not being his anymore."

Her breath stuttered.

Because she wanted to deny it.

But she couldn't.

Because some part of her—the part she kept trying to bury—was relieved.

She wasn't waiting anymore.

She wasn't hurting.

She was just here.

And I was the only thing grounding her.

Her lips parted slightly, something fragile breaking inside her. "I don't know what's happening to me."

I chuckled. "I do."

Her breath hitched.

And I could see it—

The final thread snapping.

She was so close.

So close to giving in.

So close to crossing the line.

So close to being mine.

And then—

Headlights.

The sound of tires screeching against the pavement.

The atmosphere shattered.

Bella flinched, jerking back just as the car skidded to a stop inches from my bumper.

The driver's side door flew open.

And standing there, eyes black, chest heaving—

Was Edward.

Swan House – The Reckoning

Bella gasped. "Edward—"

But he wasn't looking at her.

He was looking at me.

And he was done pretending.

His body was trembling, his breathing ragged, his hands shaking at his sides.

Because he knew.

He felt what had almost happened.

What had been happening.

His voice was low, dangerously soft. "Get away from her."

I smirked. "Why? Afraid I'll take what's left of her?"

A snarl ripped from his throat, raw and feral.

Bella moved forward quickly, her voice urgent. "Edward, stop—"

He ignored her.

His entire body coiled, his rage barely contained.

His voice was sharper now, venom laced in every syllable. "I should kill you."

I chuckled. "You could try."

His fists clenched.

And I saw it—

The moment he broke.

He moved, so fast Bella barely had time to scream.

But before he could reach me—

Something slammed into him.

Jasper.

The two of them crashed into the pavement, a blur of movement, fists and snarls and teeth too fast for Bella to follow.

Alice was suddenly there, her hands gripping Bella's shoulders, holding her back.

Bella's voice cracked. "Stop them!"

Alice's expression was grim. "I can't."

Because Jasper wasn't stopping him this time.

He was fighting him.

Because even Jasper knew—

Edward was too far gone.

And for the first time—

Bella saw what a monster he really was.