Chapter 3

The dinner table fell silent again. Emily was talking about truffles, but it was clear she had something else on her mind.

Bella glanced up, noticing Edward's indifferent expression, and chuckled softly. "Ms. Watson, you sure like to meddle. Do you really need to worry about what others eat? Everyone has different tastes. Even the finest delicacies won't tempt me if I don't like them."

Edward's friends exchanged looks, and one of them spoke up, "Exactly. If Edward wants to eat his girlfriend's leftovers, why do you care, Emily? Let's just enjoy our meal."

It clearly indicated they wanted Emily to drop the subject.

But Emily wasn't backing down. "I hadn't heard that Edward had a girlfriend before. Is the Obelon family renowned?"

Edward set down his utensils, his expression turning cold. "Why are you so talkative tonight? Are you investigating Emily's backgrounds now?"

Emily smiled. "I'm just curious. I always thought you didn't have a girlfriend after we broke up."

Bella lowered her gaze. So, she wasn't just his fiancée, but also his ex-girlfriend.

The exquisite food in front of her lost its appeal. Even the most delicious dishes tasted like ash in her mouth.

She blamed herself for foolishly agreeing to have dinner with Edward tonight.

She was only making herself miserable.

Edward scoffed, "Bella's right. You meddle too much. Why don't you move to the beach? There's plenty of room for you to meddle there."

Emily was speechless. "I..."

One of his friends chimed in, "It's also Edward's fault for hiding his girlfriend like a treasure. If it weren't for the lack of alcohol tonight, we'd make you drink three shots as a penalty."

Edward chuckled lowly, acknowledging the comment.

Bella felt a bit happier seeing him like this.

Throughout the evening, Bella found herself fluctuating between elation and despair because of Edward's behavior, making it very difficult to enjoy her meal. This was made even worse by Emily's constant prying into her personal affairs.

Bella grew impatient and took the opportunity of her parents' call to excuse herself. She clutched her violin case and announced that she had pressing matters requiring her immediate departure.

Edward put down his utensils and reached for his coat.

Bella waved him off. "No need, I'll go by myself."

Edward insisted, "I'll take you."

Bella glanced at him. "I'm going to my parents' house. Are you coming?"

Edward frowned. "Why can't I meet your parents?"

Bella's gaze was calm as she asked, "In what capacity would you meet them?"

"As your boyfriend."

Bella smiled but said nothing.

For the past three years, Edward had never publicly acknowledged their relationship or called himself her boyfriend.

No matter how nice it sounded, Edward wasn't going to marry her.

Emily looked on with a smug expression.

Bella didn't want to argue with Edward in front of her rival. "You all continue your dinner. I'm leaving."

She walked out of the club, and Edward followed her.

He asked, "Do you have to throw a tantrum?"

Bella's grip on her bag tightened, feeling wronged.

In Edward's eyes, she was just throwing a tantrum? Was it wrong for her to want a stable marriage and a husband to spend her life with?

Bella knew that Edward's goals had always been different from hers.

Three years ago, when they started their relationship, Edward made it clear he wasn't interested in marriage.

Three years later, he still didn't want to get married.

Bella had accepted that.

So why wouldn't Edward let her go?

Holding back her tears, Bella said, "I'm not throwing a tantrum. I'm just accepting reality."

Edward's gaze deepened. "Do you feel wronged being with me? Bella, be honest. Have I treated you poorly these three years?"

Edward indeed had treated her very well.

He thought it was because he treated her so well that she had these unrealistic thoughts.

"Edward," she called his name softly. "I want marriage and stability. Is that so wrong?"

Edward's brows furrowed deeply. "Aren't we stable now? Do you really need to get married? What's so great about marriage that you keep harping on it?"

Tears welled up in Bella's eyes. "Can we live like this forever?"

Edward stepped closer, cupping her face and kissing her. His hot breath made Bella tingle. He didn't go deeper, just lightly pecking her lips.

"Why can't we live like this forever? Marriage is a shackle. Why jump into it?"

Bella's fingers trembled. "But I need it."

Edward, consumed with vexation, forcefully captured Bella's exquisite lips in a fierce kiss, only relenting when the taste of blood pervaded his senses.

As Bella groaned in pain and noticed the suggestive gaze in Edward's eyes, she quickly pushed him away.

"We're still outside. Don't go crazy."

Edward pressed his tongue against his teeth, savoring the metallic taste, then seized Bella, unceremoniously hauling her toward the car. He carelessly flung her violin case onto the rear seat with utter disregard.

He drove in silence.

Bella was nervous. She knew what Edward was like when he was angry.

She observed with mounting trepidation as the car ventured into increasingly desolate territories, with fewer streetlights.

"Stop the car. Edward! Stop the car!"

The Rolls-Royce Cullinan pulled into a dark corner of a park, where no one was around.

Bella was truly scared now.

Edward unbuckled his seatbelt and then hers, pulling her onto his lap.

Bella straddled him, feeling his arousal, as he grabbed her chin and kissed her fiercely.

The kiss was wild, with no tenderness, as if he wanted to devour her.

She forcefully resisted, but her hands were restrained behind her back, her lips and tongue invaded, and beneath her dress his large hand intruded, waves of passion surging violently, accompanied by fear.

Tears rolled down her cheeks, but Edward didn't stop. He kissed away her tears, murmuring, "Why are you crying? Are you not enjoying it?"

Bella shook her head, trying to avoid his kisses, but the car was too small, and she was trapped.

She had nowhere to escape. Her body trembled with weakness.

...

Edward took Bella back to his villa.

He carried her from the car to the elevator, and then into the bathroom, placing her in the bathtub. Warm water flowed over her skin, and Edward undressed, joining her.

Bella had cried herself out, her face red and her body covered in marks.

She raised her hand and slapped Edward.

"You're a bastard!" She croaked, her voice hoarse.

He didn't seem to realize they had broken up.

Edward let her hit him, then leaned in to kiss her. "Yes, I'm a bastard."

He glanced at her body. "A bastard who hurt you like this."

Bella's chest ached with anger. The difference in strength between men and women was stark.

In bed, she was never a match for Edward.

She slapped him again. But her strength was so weak it felt like a caress.

Edward didn't mind. "Didn't you enjoy it?"

Bella choked.

"Aren't we a perfect match?" Edward was so confident.

Bella was silent, then sighed in defeat. "You really are a bastard."

Edward had her completely under his control.

Edward chuckled. "Yes, so what?"