Once You Illuminated Me

She had lived in hell for five years. Claire Randall had withstood the depths of the abyss and the fires of purgatory. But when she saw Edward Cullen whispering vows to another woman that he had once spoken to her, she felt her world crumbling down...

Those years, what had sustained her, was nothing more than the promise he had whispered in her ear: "Until death do us part." Now, he was saying it to another, so effortlessly...

Her fists clenched imperceptibly...

"I object!" A clear, crisp female voice echoed through the wedding venue.

A hush fell over the crowd. Everyone was stunned, searching for the source of the interruption. After all, this was Edward Cullens wedding, and in Boston, almost no one would dare to cross him. Who was bold enough to disrupt his wedding?

"Since there are no objections..." The master of ceremonies, aware of Edwards reputation, chose to ignore the interruption and continued with the ceremony against his better judgment.

"I said, I object, are you deaf?" A slender figure strode onto the stage, cutting off the emcee.

Claire looked straight at the man she had longed for day and night, her voice choking with emotion, "Edward, Im back."

Edward glanced at her indifferently, "Security, throw her out."

He added coldly, "Teach her a lesson, but dont kill her."

"Forget it, today is our big day, we shouldnt see blood," the bride beside him, Elizabeth,Persuasion with a gentle voice.

Claire only then noticed the woman standing next to him.

She appeared frail and timid, a picture of innocence.

Her heart skipped a beat, staring at Edward, hoping to see something in his eyes.

But there was nothing there except indifference...

"Edward, do you still hate me?" she asked weakly.

"Hate?" The man snorted coldly, "Youre overestimating yourself!"

"Edward, I have my reasons, please listen to my explanation..." Claires tone was almost pleading.

"Whats there to explain? Eight years, you lied to me for three, disappeared for five, and now you just show up and expect me to listen to your explanations. Who do you think you are?" Edward looked at her with disgust.

"Edward..."

"Didnt you hear me? Throw her out! Let the wedding continue!" Edward gritted his teeth, as if he wanted to tear the person in front of him into pieces.

He took the brides hand, preparing to exchange rings, when a gun was aimed at his head.

"You cant get married, dont force me," Claire, holding the gun, her eyes slightly red, "I dont want it to come to this."

Edward looked at her and suddenly laughed.

He pressed his forehead against the gun, "Shoot, just like you did five years ago."

"Edward..." Claires voice trembled.

She had fired that shot just so he would live.

Because of that single shot, she had endured all the remaining bullets over the next five years.

"Can you trust me one more time? I will never lie to you again!" Claire took a deep breath, "Everything I did was for you, I love you so much, cant you see that?"

"Love?" Edward sneered, "You dare to speak of love?"

"I loved you so much at that time, I cherished you in the palm of my hand, and you?"

"Do you think too highly of yourself? Coming and going as you please, and you think Ill keep waiting for you? Let me tell you, Im over it, youre not worth my love!"

"I dont believe it, I cant believe you can forget!" Claire shouted, her eyes already red with anger, "We have so many memories, so much history..."

"Claire," Edward interrupted her coldly, "I didnt forget, I quit."

"Even if I loved you once, I quit." He said it so decisively, without any hesitation.

And in his eyes, Claire saw nothing but annoyance, no other emotions...