𝐃𝐀𝐘𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 ━━ rosalie hale

[ 𝟎𝟒𝟎. ] little white lies

II. Chapter 40
Evelyn Maia Silva

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When Edward Cullen broke the love of his life's heart, he definitively ripped apart his own undying one. The reason he found to continue with this life he was given was continents away from where he is, his own choices leads him to a miserable life to which he is failing to own. It has been a difficult months of tortured lonesome, prevailing to suffer alone instead of accepting the warmth from his family in which reaches out to him every few weeks or so. They call, he doesn't pick up the phone sometimes, only when he deems it necessary in order for them not to come to him.

He is an iredeemable mess he was determined to keep to his own silence. The last memory he ever had of Bella Swan is engraved in his mind, her scent lingered in the clothes he wore since then and he never once took it away from his skin, afraid to forget her warmth in his cold palms.

Then, one day, he decides to replace the torn outfit out of sheer frustration due to a reckless and futile choice of his own mind making. He lingered in the shower, dressing himself up to be the most presentable and eligible bachelor in strangers' eyes, but more importantly, so he would seem in mint condition to the one of only two friends he knows that he enjoys to be around with.

"You shouldn't be here." Evelyn tells him, her blue eyes looked bright under the dark night as to where she pulled him out into the balcony. Her gaze flickers back to the empty corridor, afraid that a friend would see her and ask all the wrong questions.

"Don't worry, your friends are occupied for the night. The gala is still going strong." Edward tells her to ease her worries but she narrows his eyes at him before she relaxes. His shoulders physically deflates, hearing her thoughts made him realize she had almost forgotten about his ability. Has it really been that long?

"I don't— understand." Evelyn states clearly, almost out of breath by the shock she had received. "What are you doing here? Is something wrong?"

"No, nothing like that." Edward assures quickly, frowning as he felt terrible for making Evelyn feel as if something bad happened just because he's here. "I just want to see if you're okay. I also got the chance to see the gala you hosted. It's for a really good cause, I'm happy for you, Evelyn."

Evelyn tenses but relents from the feeling, nodding her head. "Thank you." She whispers, but still a little hostile. "Are you alone?" She asks before she could think of the possibility of seeing a certain someone again. Her heart sinks and she was accutely aware of Edward being aware of it, too.

"Yes. She's not here." Edward assures softly. "She doesn't know I'm here."

Evelyn breathes out slowly in relief, closing her eyes for a second and nods her head. "Does anyone know?" He shakes his head in answer. "Has anyone in your family spoken to you? My mother says you rarely answer their calls." She asks, her voice filled with concern.

"It's... for the best." Edward smiles tightly, his hand curling on the ledge besides them. "What I did to Bella is..." He stops, words seem to fail him but his silence was enough of an explanation that Evelyn can understand. "It's been a long time since I've seen my family. For a while, I thought it's what I wanted, but it's not."

"You should go to them, Edward."

"No— I... I'm afraid it's too soon for me to do that. Being away with Bella while being with Carlisle and the others doesn't feel right." He explains in a strained voice, as if he hasn't quite figured it out yet but right now.

"But going to me does?" Evelyn questions, skeptic as he laughs shortly and nods.

"You were once my friend, Evelyn. Other than my family, you're my family, too." Edward tells her genuinely. "And I'm so sorry for all the pain I've caused you. I know it doesn't make it right, showing up here now... I just can't help but feel like I've driven Rosalie away from you."