Isabellas lips curved into a bitter smile as she faced Edward Cullens rage through the phone. "Edward, do you trust Emily Bronte so blindly?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Edwards cold laughter sent a chill down her spine. "Trust her? Of course I do. More than Id ever trust you. And dont ever say my name again. Its disgusting to hear from your lips."
A heavy silence fell, and in that moment, Isabella felt a piece of her wither away. If even the sound of her voice was repulsive to him, what was left of their relationship?
She forced herself to ask, her voice trembling with a mixture of fear and desperation, "Edward, why did you propose to me back then?"
Emilys eyebrows shot up in surprise. How naive could Isabella be to think that Edwards proposal was out of love for her? It was clearly a strategic move to leverage the Swan familys influence.
Marriage, in their world, was about mutual support based on social standing or climbing the social ladder through strategic unions. It all boiled down to one word: interest.
Isabella, born into the Swan family, had the misfortune of entertaining romantic notions in a world where cold calculations ruled. Emily found it amusing yet pitiable.
While these thoughts raced through Emilys mind, Edward answered Isabellas question with a disdain. "Isabella Swan, are you daft? What kind of question is that?"
The light in Isabellas eyes flickered and died, leaving behind a cold, lifeless ash. She turned her gaze away from Emily, tuning out Edwards voice and Emilys cooing attempts at consolation.
She felt as lifeless as a corpse.
After ending the call, Emily couldnt help but mock Isabella. "Isabella, cant you see that Edwards heart doesnt belong to you? Whats the point of clinging to the title of Mrs. Cullen when youre clearly so miserable?"
Isabella didnt want to entertain her nonsense and said wearily, "Leave me alone."
Emily laughed harshly. "Let me tell you something. Edward never wanted you to bear his child."
Isabellas eyes snapped open at this revelation, but she remained silent, her expression blank.
Emily continued, relishing the moment. "Edward is too proud a man. Selling out his marriage to outsmart Jack Dawson was humiliating enough for him. So, why would he allow a child to bear the taint of such a disgusting origin? Hes been using contraceptives all along!"
"As a matter of fact, I was the one who suggested it to him. Surprised?"
Isabella closed her eyes again, ignoring Emily as if she were a mere ghost.
Emily felt a surge of anger mixed with boredom. Isabellas lack of reaction robbed her of the satisfaction she expected from the confrontation.
With a huff of annoyance, Emily turned and left the room.
As the door closed behind her, a single tear slid down Isabellas cheek, glistening in the dim light of the room.
The night deepened, and the chirping of cicadas filled the air. A gentle breeze rustled through the balcony where Isabella sat, unmoving, like a broken doll.
Suddenly, a mans voice intruded upon her solitude. "Miss Swan?"
Isabella opened her eyes to see a strange man dressed in sportswear.
Without a word, he smiled faintly, pulled out a black cloth, and swiftly covered Isabellas head. "Sorry, Miss Swan, but youre coming with me."