If you want to support (To continue with the chapters and improve the quality of the language)or read some advance chapters (this week I will upload several chapters to Patreon) please follow me on: patreon.com/Jayjayempi
Chapter sponsored by:
Eren Özcan
Nate entered the room, his heart pounding. Bella was there, lying on a stretcher with a blanket over her legs. She had a thin bandage on her forehead, and a nurse was finishing arranging some medical supplies beside her. Charlie was standing by the headboard, arms crossed, frowning, his gaze fixed on his daughter.
Bella turned her head when she heard the door. When she saw Nate, she smiled sweetly, although there was something strange about his eyes, as if he were looking at the world through a fog.
Nate didn't say anything. He approached with a measured stride, but as soon as he was close enough, he wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tightly. Tighter than he'd allowed himself lately.
It took Bella a second to react, surprised. Then she returned the gesture, and with a half smile, gently patted him on the back.
"I'm fine, Nate. Honestly," she said in a reassuring tone. "There's nothing to worry about. The car didn't even touch me. I just... fell and hit my head a little. That's all."
Charlie growled under his breath, not bothering to hide his disdain.
"I will personally make sure that young man, Tyler Crowley, never gets a driver's license again in this state. Or any other."
Bella gave a short laugh, more at her father's attitude than at what he was saying.
"Dad, it wasn't entirely his fault… he seemed nervous. Maybe he lost control…"
"Lost control?" Charlie snorted. "Playing with his truck in the school parking lot? Don't make me laugh."
Nate looked away, still feeling a mixture of concern and discomfort.
"What exactly happened?" he asked in a low voice.
Bella sat up a little, glancing first at her father and then at Nate.
"I was alone," she explained carefully. "A few feet from my truck. I heard a noise... skidding tires. And when I turned around, Tyler's truck was coming straight for me. I didn't have time to move. And then... Edward appeared."
"Edward?" Nate repeated, trying to keep his tone neutral.
"Yeah, he ran me off the road. Just before the truck hit me."
Charlie nodded, this time with an expression that seemed more relieved, even satisfied.
"I knew it. I always knew it. The Cullens are a blessing to this town. I'm going to thank them personally later."
He walked a little further toward the nurse to ask when they could take Bella. Nate took advantage of that moment to turn to her, his face now much more serious.
"You said you were alone," he murmured. "But then you said Edward saved you. Wasn't he with you before?"
Bella frowned. Her eyes blurred slightly as if a hazy memory was trying to break through the confusion.
"That's what I don't understand," she whispered. "I'm sure Edward was far away... he was about to get into his car. I saw him. I know. But it all happened so fast... and suddenly, he was there. Right next to me."
She was silent for a second, and then, in a barely audible tone, she added:
"Edward... stopped the truck. With his hand. Like it weighed nothing. That must have been impossible... right?"
Nate swallowed. In his mind, the pieces began to fall into place. The legends he'd read. The warnings are disguised as ancient tales.
Fast as lightning. With skin as tough as rock…
The bright eyes. The coldness. The air of mystery. What if all of this was real? What if what the Quillettes were telling weren't just stories?
"Are you sure?" Nate asked in a whisper.
"Yes. I am. I asked him afterward and he said I must have imagined it. That it was impossible... but I saw it."
Nate watched her closely. He saw no doubt in her eyes. Only confusion. The kind of confusion you get when reality shatters into a thousand pieces and you don't know which one to choose.
Maybe I should tell her she's confused. That it was because of the blow to the head. But... what if she isn't? What if this is the moment to take a leap of faith?
"Maybe... you did imagine it," he said softly, measuring each word.
Bella's expression changed. Frustration crept into her expression like a brewing storm.
"No!" she exclaimed. "I know what I saw, Nate. I know."
Before she could continue, Charlie returned to her side with a relieved expression.
"The nurse just needs to take some information. After that, we're leaving."
Nate nodded slowly, his mind still caught up in Bella's words. Then, an idea emerged. A theory he'd dismissed many times as absurd. But it didn't seem so absurd anymore.
"Charlie," he said with a smile, "why don't we take advantage of this time and thank Edward? He's still outside, right?"
Charlie nodded enthusiastically.
"Good idea. It's the least we can do."
They walked out into the hallway together. A few feet away, Edward was standing next to his father, Carlisle. They hadn't noticed them yet. Edward looked completely shaken. He was pacing in circles, muttering something in an agitated voice. Nate signaled for Charlie to stop.
"...I ruined everything..." Edward whispered, and Nate heard him.
Carlisle placed a hand on her shoulder, easing his tension with a calm gesture. Then he noticed Charlie and Nate and gave them a polite nod before hastily retreating to attend to someone else.
Charlie raised his hand with a frank smile and walked towards Edward with a determined step.
"Son, I can never thank you enough for what you did today," he said sincerely. "If it weren't for you, my daughter could have died."
Edward, still visibly tense, forced a smile.
"I was just in the right place at the right time, sir."
Nate came over too and smiled at him.
"Edward, please don't underestimate yourself. You were a hero."
Then, with apparent innocence, he added:
"Tell me, Edward. Did it seem to you like Tyler was driving recklessly when he skidded?"
Charlie, understanding Nate's intention, chimed in enthusiastically:
"That's it! Your testimony would be very helpful, son. If you saw Tyler acting negligently, we could use that to revoke his license for a longer period."
Edward looked even more uncomfortable and responded quickly as if he wanted to get out of that conversation.
"Sorry, Chief Swan. I didn't pay much attention to Tyler."
Charlie clicked his tongue in visible disappointment.
Nate pressed a little harder.
"Edward, were you close to Bella when all this happened?"
Edward clenched his jaw and looked down. His tone was softer, almost guilty.
"Yes. I was very close to Bella. That's why I was able to react and push her."
Edward, now explain to me why Bella says she saw you stop the truck with your hands.
Edward looked up sharply. His face hardened his expression a mixture of suppressed rage and despair.
"I already explained to Bella that she must have seen wrong!" he replied, his voice on the verge of a scream. "She's confused by the blow she took!"
Charlie looked at him, puzzled.
"Is everything okay, son? What are you talking about?"
Edward blinked as if he didn't understand what was happening. He looked at Charlie, trying to gauge whether his reaction was more intense than he'd intended. But when he looked back at Nate... he knew.
Nate hadn't asked that last question in his voice.
Edward understood in an instant.
And Nate silently confirmed it.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Author's Notes: Thanks for supporting the marathon, the follow-up was incredible! The chapter rate will be one every two days from now on. If I see a lot of support with the Powerstones, I'll upload extra chapters. I hope you enjoy!