"He's after you, Bella. He's a tracker! He won't ever give up now! We have to get you away from here. I can't let anything happen to you." Edward reached for Bella's hand as the speed away from the Cullens' baseball field.

"Relax, Edward. I'm sure it'll all turn out fine. Maybe he just likes me as much as you do." Bella tossed her hair nonchalantly.

"You don't get it, Bella! I read his mind!" Edward was frantic.

"Yeah, but it's kind of obvious that there's more vampires in your family than in their pack. He wouldn't risk his life for me. I'm not that special." Bella rubbed her thumb over Edward's clenched hand.

"Maybe you're right," Edward sighed. "I love you."

"I love you too, but that's no reason to get all uptight whenever anyone looks at me." Bella stepped out of the car onto her father's driveway, where Edward had pulled up. "See you later, Hun." She pecked him on the cheek and turned to go inside.

"Bella," Edward started.

"Yes?" She replied a little testily.

"Be careful." She scowled at him and went inside. She climbed the stairs to her bedroom, sauntered down the hall, and screamed. James was inside her bedroom!

"Quiet, girl! What's all the noise for?" He grabbed her arms and shook her to still the sobs wracking through her body.

"Please, please, please don't hurt me! Please! It would break Edward's heart!" Bella covered her eyes with her hands, preparing for the worst.

"Sheesh! I don't want to hurt you, you fool! I just needed to talk to you alone. How well do you know that boyfriend of yours?"

"Edward?" She gasped. "Please don't hurt him!"

"Wasn't planning on it," he replied gruffly. "I was just wondering how honest he's been with you. Didn't it occur to you that I might not be the one that intends you harm?"

"Huh?" Bella's eyebrows knitted together in a look of complete confusion. "Who else would hurt me?"

"Edward, you silly girl!" He threw his hands in the air. "Oh, don't look at me like that. I don't think he intends to physically hurt you. But emotionally? He'll kill you. He's keeping a secret from you, Bella! A dangerous, dangerous secret."

"Oh, that," Bella chuckled. "I already know he's a vampire, don't worry. He's very self-controlled, and I don't mind."

"Not that!" James began to pace, frustrated. "He's married."

Bella reeled in shock, stumbling backwards and nearly tripping over a pile of laundry on the floor. "You're joking. It's not funny!"

"I'm deadly serious, my dear. He's got a wife up in Alaska. My sister. Don't you see? He's been using you to get back at me! I let my sister know that he's cheated on her before, and she hasn't forgiven him. What better way to get back at the man that ruined your marriage than to date the love of his life?"

"The love of your life? You don't know me!" Bella fell onto the bed, staring up in shock.

"But I do! I've been watching you for years, too afraid to talk to you. I didn't want to hurt you, Bella. All those lines Edward's feed you about being dangerous and a relationship never being able to work? They're my words! Stolen from the countless letters I have written but never delivered. I love you, Bella. More than you could ever know." He fell to his knees, pleading with her.

"I…I don't know, James. I don't know what to think. Why should I believe you over Edward? I've never caught him lying to me."

"He said I wanted to kill you. Don't you think I would have by now? I love you, I need you, I can't bear to see you with that pig. Please, Bella."

"All right. He always did seem fake. Take me to meet your sister, and I'll see how much I believe."

James leapt up and took her face in his hands. "You won't regret this, Bella. I promise." Slowly, he leant in to kiss her. "I'll never leave you."