Chapter 23: Separation
The wind in Forks was colder than usual, as if nature itself reflected the void he was about to leave. Bella was walking through the forest, following Edward's trail, days had passed since the incident at the party and Edward had not contacted her. Her heart was pounding, but at the same time, she felt an unbearable weight, as if she already knew what was going to happen
Edward was waiting for her in a small stream. Her face, always serene and perfect, seemed paler than normal. Her golden eyes, which used to look at her with warmth, were now filled with a mixture of pain and determination. Bella stopped in front of him, her stomach churning with anxiety.
"We have to go, Bella," Edward said, her voice low but firm
Bella felt the ground crumble beneath her. her feet. -Go? What do you mean they're leaving her?
Edward took a step towards her, but didn't touch her, as if he was already putting a distance between them. —My family and I are leaving Forks. It's the best for everyone. It's best for you
Bella shook her head, refusing to accept what she was hearing. -No. You can't leave me. Not after everything we've been through. You can't leave!
"Bella," Edward said in a softer tone, "I put you in danger every second I'm around you." I don't want that for you. You've been in enough danger because of me.
Bella felt her eyes fill with tears. -I don't mind. I don't care about the danger. I love you, Eduardo. I can't live without you
"Bella, you don't understand," Edward replied, his voice cracking slightly. I'm not what you need. I'm not good for you. You are human, you have a life to live, a life that I cannot give you.
The silence that followed was unbearable. The cold air felt like a thousand knives against her skin, and her sadness began to take over her
Edward looked at her one last time, her eyes reflecting all the love he felt for her. but also the decision he had already made about her. "Goodbye, Bella," he said, her voice barely a whisper before disappearing into the depths of the forest.
Bella fell to her knees on the cold, wet ground, her tears flowing freely. The pain she felt was deeper than anything she had imagined. There was no way to fill the void Edward had left. She was alone, completely alone.
Etanm's POV
Ethan walked towards his usual meeting place with Rosalie, his heart heavy. There was something in the air that told him this time would be different. Upon reaching the river, he found her standing motionless, looking toward the horizon with a distant expression. Her posture alerted him: she was colder and more reserved than usual, as if she was preparing for something.
"Rosalie," he called softly, but she didn't immediately turn around.
Finally, he turned his head. and she looked him in the eyes. There was a deep sadness in her gaze, one he had never seen before. It wasn't the usual coldness she was shielding herself from, but real, palpable pain.
"Ethan, we need to talk," he said, his voice low, almost whispering, but firm.
Ethan tensed. . He knew what was coming. He had felt it for days, but he had refused to accept it. "You don't have to go," he responded immediately. "You can stay here with me. You don't have to follow your family. We...we could make it work."
Rosalie looked down, shaking her head slowly. "I can't. My family needs me. I can't abandon them, Ethan. And you know it." She looked up and looked at him with an expression full of resignation. "You could come with us. Leave Forks. Come with me."
Ethan clenched his fists, feeling desperation choke him. "You know I can't do that. My pack needs me. The Quileutes need me. I'm the alpha, I can't abandon my duty."
Rosalie looked away, fighting to keep up the cool façade of hers. "Then we have no future. If you can't leave your life here, and I can't leave mine... We can't stay together."
Ethan took a step towards her, meeting her gaze. "I don't care how much time passes, Rosalie. I will wait for you. All my life if necessary. I imprinted on you, and I can't just let you go."
Ethan's words echoed in the air, loaded with truth and emotion. Rosalie closed her eyes, as if she were trying to block out the pain those words caused her. She loved him too, although she had never said it openly. But she knew she couldn't go on like this.
"No, Ethan," she replied with a trembling voice. "You can't do that. It's not fair to you. Even though I love you, even though it hurts me more than you can imagine, I know this isn't right. We can't stay together. Not like this."
Ethan felt like his world was collapsing. Rosalie's words were like daggers stabbing into his chest, but deep down he knew he was right. Her paths, no matter how much they loved each other, were destined to part
"So, is this goodbye?" she asked, her voice broken from her, barely able to get out.
Rosalie approached him, taking her hand gently. "It's for the best, Ethan. I don't want you to wait for me. I want you to move on. You have a life here, a responsibility. I can't let you sacrifice everything for me."
Ethan lowered his head, unable to respond. He knew she was right, but accepting it was an unbearable pain.
"I love you," Rosalie said with a broken voice. "But I can't stay. And I can't ask you to come with me. This...this is what we have to do."
Ethan looked up, meeting her golden eyes one last time. "I love you too, Rosalie."
They both stayed silent, holding eye contact until Rosalie let go of her hand and turned around. Her figure faded into the trees, leaving Ethan alone, standing in the empty clearing
From that day on, Ethan began to patrol more and more, to the point of not returning home for a while. days. He isolated himself, distancing himself even from his own pack, immersed in an internal storm that seemed to have no end. The nights were getting darker, and the nightmares haunted him relentlessly. In them, his ancestor appeared, watching them from the shadows, waiting for the right moment to speak to him. The first test was approaching.
Meanwhile, Bella was lost. She became a shadow of who she once was, spending her days in a state of lethargy, finding no reason to get out of bed. The lack of Edward had left a hole in her chest that nothing could fill. Charlie's house felt empty, and classes unbearable. More and more, Bella retreated from the world, immersing herself in her own pain, isolated from everything and everyone
The void that Edward had left was unbearable, and the darkness that filled her heart seemed impenetrable. Not even the little things that made her smile before could bring her out of her state. She just stopped living, trapped in an endless loop of sadness.
Both Bella and Ethan dealt with the separation from the Cullens in her own way. As Bella fell into despair, Ethan fell into deeper and deeper loneliness, facing the inner monsters that threatened to consume him completely. The consequences of the Cullens' departure echoed through Forks, affecting everyone who had crossed their path.