Chapter 1

Bella

My eyes wandered over to the bright green numbers glowing in the dark.

2:07 AM.

I blinked a few times to clear the sleep from my eyes. I gently reached behind me in search of my husband, only to feel nothing but the cool sheets. This has become the pattern. He leaves for work early, returns home late. Rinse and repeat.

I shifted on to my back and drifted back to sleep.

—-

My alarm woke me the next morning, 7 AM on the dot. I blinked my eyes open and slowly sat up in the bed. I scanned the room for any signs of Edward as I swung my legs over the edge.

I was about to come to the conclusion that he hadn't even bothered to return home until I heard the shower running down the hall. Passing a hand through my hair, I made my way into the bathroom and began my morning routine. After a brief shower, I wrapped my towel around my body and wiped the condensation off the mirror.

The woman in the reflection seemed like a stranger to me.

My once warm, milk chocolate colored eyes were now cool and disconnected. The bags under my eyes were deepening, a representation of the sleepless nights I've had.

A slight feeling of disgust came over me.

I immediately reached for my concealer and proceeded to place it under my eyes, an attempt at looking well rested. Typically, I'm not one for a lot of makeup, but these days things are not the same as they once were. I gently blended the concealer under my eyes and proceeded to swipe on a layer of mascara and some nude colored lip gloss.

Satisfied with my final look, I walked into the closet and grabbed my clothes for the day. I slipped into my favorite black pencil skirt and a nude colored blouse. Just as I was bending down to pick up my nude leather pumps, I heard footsteps coming toward the bedroom.

I took a deep breath and braced myself.

The footsteps halted in the doorway.

"You should wear the black ones."

Clenching my jaw, I turned around and faced him. He had one shoulder leaned up against the door frame and one foot crossed over the other.

My eyes passed over him. He had a well fitted black suit and sharp black dress shoes. His hair was in its standard artful disarray, and his beard was expertly trimmed and shaped, just the way I liked it. His sharp green eyes were on me like that of a hawk.

Why did he have to be so beautiful?

Bastard.

There was a time when I would have followed his request. There was a time when just the sight of him would have spiked my heart rate, and set the butterflies free in my stomach.

Times have changed.

I sighed as my shoulder grazed his chest as I pushed past him. Nude heels still clutched in my hand.

I had hoped to make it out the door without another word from him.

If only I were so lucky.

He trailed behind me, "Another silent treatment this morning, Mrs. Cullen?"

I made my way to the kitchen and reached up in the cabinet for my mug. As I was bringing the cup to the countertop, I felt his breath on the back of my neck.

"Bella."

Goosebumps erupted along my neck. Slowly I turned around. My eyes trailed from his Adam's apple, to his sharp jawline, and finally landed on his eyes.

I chose to say nothing.

In a painstakingly slow manner, he placed his arms on either side of me on the counter, effectively caging me in place. He bent his head to my neck and began placing gentle kisses along my skin.

It made me feel as though I needed another shower.

"Edward, I don't have time."

His only response was to gently thrust his pelvis into mine.

I rolled my eyes, and braced my arm against his chest and shoved, effectively pushing him away.

He scowled at me, "What, I can't even touch my own wife now?"

"I told you, I have to go."

He backed away from me and raised his left arm to take a glance at his pristine Rolex watch. His Christmas gift from me last year. A frown marred his beautiful features as he responded, "You're early, you don't have to be in for another hour."

I decided against a verbal response and turned back to the already brewed container of coffee and began to pour myself a cup.

"Is something going on?"

His voice was soft and smooth. If I didn't know any better, I'd say his concern was genuine. But unfortunately, I do know better.

I took a deep pull of the caffeinated beverage before I turned back to face him.

His eyes were trained on my legs, moving up to my hips, my torso, and finally landing on my eyes.

I cocked my head to the side, appraising him before I answered. "What time did you get in last night?"

His eyes never left mine but something flashed in his eyes, "A little after 2."

Well, at least he was honest. "You were out past two on a Thursday night?" I arched my eyebrow at him as I waited for a reply. I took another sip of coffee.

He shrugged and stuffed his hands in the pockets of his suit pants, "I got drinks with a potential client after work and time got away from me."

Not really in the mood for the impending fight, I just nodded and continued to sip my drink.

He rubbed his beard thoughtfully for a moment before continuing on, "Is that what's got you so upset?"

His asinine question caused me to snort and place my mug back down on the counter, it was really time for me to get out of here.

I pulled my purse off of the counter and began to check the contents to ensure that I had everything.

After running my mental check list, I made my way to the door, questioning him on my way, "Will I see you tonight?"

His hurried footsteps followed me to the door. He caught my elbow and turned me around to face him. In a flash, his head was burrowed into the side of my neck and he backed me into the front door. My back gently crashed into the door as a result of his force. He took a deep breath in, probably relishing in the scent of my perfume. This one has always been his favorite. "I love you, Bella."

It didn't escape my attention that he avoided my question.

I placed a reluctant hand on the back of his head, tangling my fingers in his hair. My response was appropriately hollow, I had heard this countless timed before, "I know."

I pulled away from him and the conflict I saw in his eyes, almost made me say it back.

Instead, I slipped into my shoes, tightening my purse strap on my shoulder, and tugged the front door open.

As I pulled the door shut behind me, I felt resistance. I looked over my shoulder only to find Edward standing in the doorway. He had one arm braced against the doorframe, resting his forehand against it. His eyes tracked my movements all the way to the car, and out of the driveway.

Things have been complicated, to say the least.

—

My commute to work was a blur. In fact, my entire morning was a blur. I was zoned out the entire meeting, so much so that my boss approached me as the last person filed out of the room.

"Is everything alright Isabella?"

I faced Rosalie with a broad smile, "Yes, I'm fine."

Her eyes narrowed at me, "You didn't hear a word that was said, did you?"

I groaned and shook my head, "I'm so sorry, my morning was absolute shit. I know that's not an excuse," I sighed, "I'll be caught up by the end of the day."

Rosalie gave me a once over before responding, "Whatever it is, I need you to leave it at home. You're the best in this department, by a long shot. And I don't say that lightly."

Before I could manage a response, she moved past me and out of the room.

Rosalie and I had always had somewhat of an odd relationship. We weren't really friends, but then again, Rose wasn't friends with anybody here.

—

The rest of the day passed without incident. As 6:00 pm rolled around, my head began to pound. Just the thought of having to face Edward tonight had me in knots. Sometimes I can't tell which is worse, him being home or wondering when he would return.

Slowly, I closed my laptop and began filing away the documents I had completed for the day. Being a legal assistant certainly was not the dream, but I liked it enough and it paid the bills.

I pulled my purse onto my shoulder and made my way out of my office and down the staircase to reach the parking garage. Under normal circumstances, I would have taken the elevator but my quest to avoid my coworkers deterred me.

As I approached my car in the structure, I saw Jasper a couple of spaces over.

I had no real intention of speaking to him.

All I really wanted to do was get home, and drink enough wine that by the time Edward arrived, I could be fast asleep.

Though it appeared today was not my lucky day.

Jasper turned his head and met my gaze. I shot him a half hearted smile, hoping that would be enough to keep him from coming over.

No cigar.

It's not that I don't like Jasper. Quite the opposite actually. I probably like him too much. Jasper and I have known each other for years, we became friends in college. We met during our sophomore year in a business law class and had been inseparable for years to come. He is the one who introduced me to his brother. Today, we're not as close as we used to be. Edward has made sure of that. The fact that we work in the same building is really the only way we see each other anymore.

His leather dress shoes echoed with each step.

I met him at the trunk of my car.

He pushed his hand through his blonde locks, and almost looked shy but he flashed me a smile, "How's everything been Bella?"

My eyes swept over him briefly. His blond curls were pushed back behind his ears and his hazel eyes peered down at me from his 6'2" frame.

I cracked a small smile, "I've been, uh, I've been okay. How about you?"

He didn't believe me. Jasper could always see right through me. But he had enough mercy not to press me on the matter.

He nodded and pushed one of his hands in the pocket of his suit pants, "I'm good," he paused for a moment, "How's Edward? I haven't heard from him in a while."

I could tell he wanted to say more. I've always been able to see through him too. I nodded and pushed my hair behind my ears.

I darted my eyes away from his and shifted my weight. I've never been able to lie to him, not well at least. "He's fine, he's just been working a lot."

He sort of grunted at me but smiled anyway, "He's always been a bit of a workaholic."

I nodded and met his eyes again. I cleared my throat and shifted my weight a little more, "Yeah, but I should get going I've got to make a couple of stops on the way home."

A sort of pained expression crossed his handsome features for a moment so brief, I nearly missed it. He nodded, "I need to do the same. Don't be a stranger, okay?"

My smile was phony and the evidence of this was written all over my face. "See you later, Jas."

Without another word, he turned on his heels and walked briskly back to his vehicle.

—

After stopping at the grocery store for a couple bottles of wine, I returned home to find Edward's car in the driveway.

I sighed as I pulled up next to his car and turned the engine off. With a heavy sigh of resignation, I gathered my purse and my bags and got out of the car. Every step toward the door was slower than the last. This is certainly not how I wanted to spend my Wednesday evening.

Before I could push my key in the door, it had already opened, only to reveal the angry face of my husband. As I brushed by him into the house, I could smell the liquor on his breath. I groaned internally. Fuck.

Slipping out of my shoes, I padded barefoot into the kitchen, setting my wine on the counter.

"It's almost eight o'clock. Where have you been, what took you so long?"

Here we go.

Turning around to face him, I folded my arms over my chest and raised an eyebrow at him. How dare he try to check me with his less than stellar track record.

He stepped closer to me, "Answer me Bella, where were you?"

I snorted, "As many long, long nights I've stayed waiting up for you, and you have the audacity to ask me where I've been?", I sighed deeply and continued on, "You're drunk. You should get some sleep."

His green eyes lit with fury, "You're the one who came in here cradling half a wine cellar in your arms."

I rolled my eyes at his dramatic overstatement, and proceeded to pop the cork on my favorite bottle of white wine. I grabbed a wine glass from the cabinet and began pouring my beverage. All the while, I could feel Edward's intense glare, penetrating the side of my face. I took a deep pull, downing half of the glass in one go.

His furious eyes remained on me. In a flash, he reached up and removed my glass from my fingers and set it on the counter. He placed his arms on each side of me and hung his head low. I heard him take a few deep, steadying breaths. He raised his head again to look at me, his voice came out in a pained whisper "What are we doing to each other?"

His words gutted me. What were we doing to each other? How did we let it get to this point?

My eyes brimmed with tears. At the sound of my sniffle, Edward's face cracked. He dropped to his knees and buried his head into my abdomen. His fingers gripped my hips through the fabric of my skirt.

He was sobbing silently.

I hadn't seen Edward cry since his grandfather's funeral. 2 years ago.

I combed my fingers through his hair.

After a few more moments, his voice rumbled, "Can we go to bed, baby?"

I sniffled and tried to compose myself. We had so much to talk about. So many decisions to be made. But for now, all the two of us needed was sleep.

I gripped my hands on his shoulders, motioning for him to stand up, "Come on." My voice sounded weak.

He pushed himself up off of his knees, dragging his hands up my body, trailing his fingers down my arms and finally lacing his fingers through mine. His touch nearly felt foreign. He led me down the hallway and up the stairs, into our bedroom.

We moved into the closet, where we released each others hands and went to our respective sides of the closet. I slipped into a pink silk nightie, while Edward rid himself of his shirt and stepped into a new pair of boxers. We kept our backs to each other as we changed.

He followed me into the bathroom where we both washed our faces and brushed our teeth in complete silence. I think we were both too exhausted to shower.

He finished before I did and padded out of the bathroom. I heard the rustling of the covers as he settled himself into his side of the bed. Once I finished placing my hair in a bun on the top of my head, I slipped out of the bathroom, turning the light off behind me.

The room was cast in darkness, save for the sliver of moonlight peeking in from the window.

Edward's form was illuminated. His back was to me.

Quietly, I walked over to the bed and settled myself in to my side.

He rolled over, giving me his back once again.

I'm not sure what made me do it, but I was certainly overwhelmed with emotion. I scooted toward him on my side and rested my hand on his shoulder. He physically tensed at the contact.

My voice came out no louder than a whisper, "It wasn't always like this."

He took a deep breath and rolled over, facing me. His eyes swam with a set of emotions that I couldn't quite decipher. I watched his Adam's apple bob as he swallowed before speaking, "I know," he reached over and swept his thumb over the high point of my cheek, "We need to sleep. There's always tomorrow."

I nodded at him as best I could.

Before I knew it, he had retracted his hand and rolled over, once again giving me his back.

I did the same.

It only took me a few moments to fall into a restless, dreamless, sleep.

—

A/N: Welcome to my new story everyone! If you guys read Embracing Fate, this one is going to be quite a bit different. I really hope you guys liked this and I would love to hear your feedback, so please leave a review.

Also I know I've left a lot of holes in this first chapter but I'm definitely going to fill them in as we go. Thank you so much for reading.