Edward shifted uncomfortably. “I meant we quite literally watched you,” he said carefully. “…Most every day and night. Just to be sure…”

He was abruptly cut off when the fury that had been steadily boiling inside me let loose in a red haze. I hissed and lunged at him, throwing him against a tree with bone-shattering force that would have killed a human on impact. Grinding my teeth and spitting with fury, I turned to the nearest breakable thing, which happened to be a large mossy boulder, and punched it, crushing it into powder.

Before I could turn to attack Edward again, I was hit suddenly with a tremendous wave of exhaustion and crumpled to the ground, my anger lost in the tides of shame. I at once did not blame Edward or his family for wanting to kill me. I really was a threat after all.

“Bella,” Edward exclaimed anxiously as he shot up to kneel at my side, “Bella, are you okay?”

“Am I okay?” I choked out in a dry sob, “Edward, I’m a monster.”

I felt him place his hands gently around my waist, and lift me up to cradle me in his arms as I heaved tears that would not come. “Bella,” he said softly, brushing my hair from my face, “You’re not a monster. Do you hear me?” I looked up at him, eyes brimming with shame as I gazed at his concerned face, “We all have to fight our own demons to live the way we do, to coexist with the people who were meant to be our prey. When I went to the hospital today, Carlisle told me he’d never seen anything like you before in his life. That you didn’t even slip at the sight of blood. The way you handle yourself… it’s nothing short of extraordinary, Bella.”

I lowered my eyes to my hands, which were clenched tightly into fists in my lap. I couldn’t bring myself to look up again. I had hurt him; I didn’t deserve his kindness.

“We can help you, Bella,” Edward whispered, a tinge of sadness in his tone when I didn’t look up. “My family and I, I mean. You don’t have to do this alone, you know. Because you’re not.”

I jumped up out of his arms and put a safe distance between us before I turned and spoke again. I knew what I had to say would hurt him, but I had no choice. I couldn’t afford to hurt anyone again. Especially not him.

“I don’t need your help,” I said, more icily than I had intended. “and I won’t be your family’s charity case.” Edward’s eyes widened with shock, hurt plainly written across his face. I was beginning to hate myself more every second. “I can do this alone.”

He made a rather obvious effort to show no emotion on his face as he looked away, and did not respond for a long time. When he looked back at me, his beautiful, golden eyes did not hide the pain my words inflicted, but his jaw was set with determination.

“I won’t let you do this alone, Bella. You aren’t ready to face this on your own.”

“Then you should have just done it right the first time and killed me,” I hissed, each word cutting deeply into my marble skin with the knowledge that there was truth to every single one of them. “And I haven’t the slightest idea why you even care. I’m no good for you, Edward Cullen,” I whispered bitterly as my eyes tingled with grief, “Stay away from me.”

He stared deeply into my narrowed eyes dejectedly, and his shoulders slumped with defeat. I couldn’t take this anymore. I had to leave, now. I took a few steps back into the shadow of the trees, never taking my eyes off him. His face fell.

“Bella,” he begged, his voice barely audible now, “Please.”

I’m so sorry, Edward. I stared wretchedly into his eyes, hoping to convey to him all of the truths I couldn’t bring myself to say. Without another word, I tore myself from his broken topaz gaze to sprint off into the black of night, and felt my heart rip agonizingly from my chest with every step I put between us.