This Gift, This Curse

"Do you think my boyfriend is... strange?" Bella Swan hesitated as she confided in her best friend Jessica Stanley over coffee at the local Starbucks.

"Has he cheated on you?" Jessicas face was a picture of disbelief. In her eyes, Edward Cullen was the epitome of a perfect boyfriend, doting on Bella in a way that made Jessica envious. He shouldnt be capable of such an act.

Bella shook her head. "No, its not that. I just feel theres something... off about him..."

Just then, the jingle of a phone interrupted her thoughts.

"Where have you been?" came the deep, cello-like voice of Edward Cullen as soon as the call connected.

Bella glanced at Jessica, who was giving her an amused look, and answered honestly, "Having coffee with Jessica at Starbucks, Ill be home later."

"Alright," was all the man said before hanging up.

The screen of her phone displayed Edwards name prominently.

Bella sighed as she hung up the call amidst Jessicas teasing glances. Edward was very clingy, with an intense desire for control. No matter what she did outside, if it exceeded an hour, he would definitely call to check on her.

During the early days of their relationship, she didnt mind it, but they had been together for almost three years, and the situation had only intensified.

Sometimes she felt like a bird in a cage, tightly held in his grasp, unable to go anywhere.

Sure enough, not long after, Edward appeared at the caf茅 as usual, instantly drawing the attention of the women present.

He looked as if he had stepped out of an ancient painting, with every feature meticulously crafted.

Edwards gaze quickly found Bella, and his cold eyes lingered on Jessicas hand resting on Bellas shoulder.

Feeling the mans gaze, Jessica awkwardly removed her hand.

"Bella, come home with me," Edwards voice was low but carried an undeniable force.

Bella looked at the hand stretched out towards her, more delicate than a womans, but it suddenly made her feel repulsed.

She was a normal young contemporary with her own social needs, and Edwards increasingly strong desire for control made her very tired.

"I havent finished talking with Jessica yet, Ill go back later."

This was the first time Bella had gone against Edwards wishes.

"There will be time to talk next time, come home with me now," Edwards tone was firm, and there was a hint of madness in his eyes that made her heart tremble.

It seemed like something terrible would happen if she didnt go back with him.

In the end, it was Jessica who played the peacemaker, placing Bellas hand into Edwards palm, smiling as she sent them off, saying they could meet again another day.

As they left the caf茅, Bella looked at the dark car door in front of her and suddenly felt out of breath. How long had it been since she last freely laughed and played with friends?

It must have been since she got together with Edward, who had kidnapped her freedom for three years under the guise of love!

She turned to look at Edward, the man in front of her made her feel fearful and unfamiliar.

After a moment of struggle, Bella shook off his hand and blurted out the words she had been holding back for a long time.

"Edward Cullen, lets break up!"

Edward was taken aback for a moment, staring at the nervous Bella, his smile stiffening into a bizarre arc.

"Bella, dont make a scene," he coaxed softly.

But Bella was agitated: "Im not making a scene, Im serious! I cant stand this suffocating relationship anymore!"

Edward looked into her eyes, his eyes seemed to hold a storm.

He approached Bella step by step, until she was backed against the car door with nowhere to retreat, then he smiled and whispered in her ear, "In my world, there are no exes, only the departed."