𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭 | carlisle cullen (2)

(𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐧) bella's breakdown

Wattpad is being a bitch
with photos so I'm
leaving this blank for now

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DEMETRI LEFT THEM IN THE CHEERFULLY OPULENT reception area, where the human (Gianna) was still at her post behind the polished counter. Bright, harmless music tinkled from hidden speakers.

"Do not leave until dark," he warned us.

"Thank you Dimitri, we're not idiots" Este smiled almost callously as Dimitri turned and disappeared down the hallway with hunger in his eyes. As soon as the door closed Este placed a hand on her head and paced back and forth.  Everything was going to be alright but for a moment she'd believed different.

"Are you all right?" Edward asked under his breath. Este looked up for a second thinking that he might've been talking to her. She was foolish, his full attention was rooted on Bella who was still shaking, tears streaming down her face. Este looked towards her in concern.

"You'd better make her sit before she falls," Alice said. "She's going to pieces."

Bella started to sob. The loud sounds echoed through the room, shaking her frame even more. It looked as though she was breaking down, the rasping sounds were painful to listen to and Edward's face screwed up just hearing them.

"Shh, Bella, shh," Edward said as he pulled her to the sofa farthest away from the curious human at the desk.

"I think she's having hysterics. Maybe you should slap her," Alice suggested. "Este you know how deal with anxiety... what do we do?"

"If I knew how to deal with it then it wouldn't be such a big problem" Este pointed out bitterly, "you need to help control her breathing" she added simply.

Edward threw a frantic glance at her as though unsure how he would do this. Este rolled her eyes, stepping forwards and crouching in front of Bella. She placed a hand on her shoulder as Edward wrapped his arm around her.

"Bella" Este spoke calmly, "you are perfectly safe, you just need to breathe... ok... don't think about what's just happened. Take your mind somewhere, somewhere calm. Can you do that?",

Bella nodded frantically as she reached for Edward's hand, he held her touch gently.

"Keep your mind there Bella, ok?" Este continued, "close your eyes for me"

Bella did so, tears still escaping as she sobbed.

"Are you there?"

"Yes"

"That's great Bella... breathe in ok? Breathe in slowly and hold it for a few seconds. I'll do it with you"

Edward squeezed Bella's hand as she followed Este's breathing. For a moment she was still, tears slipping from her skin onto her other hand.

"And breathe out" Este murmured. Bella did so. They copied this pattern for a few moments before the shaking ceased to stillness and Bella opened her eyes. A new clarity within the pools of brown.

"I'm sorry" Bella whispered, "I'm being stupid"

"You're doing no such thing" Este patted Bella on the shoulder as she got to her feet, "your reaction is perfectly normal Bella. You've just been through a lot more than many humans will ever experience. You're incredibly strong"

"It's all right, you're safe, it's all right" Edward was saying now as the memory leaked back into Bella's eyes. He held her head against his chest with one hand, kissing her head as he ran his touch up and down her back in comfort. Bella held tight to him as though terrified that he was going to leave again.