So you’re worried about the trouble it might cause me — if you don’t come home?

I saved your life – I don’t owe you anything.

I realized then that I wasn’t being followed. I was being herded.

You and Cullen, huh?

My palms tingled — I wanted so badly to hit something. I was surprised at myself. I was usually a nonviolent person.

You don’t care if I’m a monster? If I’m not human?

They don’t understand why I can’t leave you alone.

He paused to catch a stray lock of hair that was escaping the twist on my neck and wound it back into place. My heart spluttered hyperactively.

Bella, I couldn’t live with myself if I ever hurt you. You don’t know how it’s tortured me. The thought of you, still, white, cold… to never see you blush scarlet again, to never see that flash of intuition in your eyes when you see through my pretenses… it would be unendurable. You are the most important thing to me now. The most important thing to me ever.

And I couldn’t stop the gloom that engulfed me as I realized I didn’t know how long I would have to wait before I saw him again.