“Don’t,” her voice was barely a whisper. “Don’t do this,” she pleaded weakly.

It was too late. I had already made my decision. It was the only sensible course of action. I could feel a rise of pain begin to boil the venom in my veins.

“You’re not good for me, Bella.” I lied.

If there is one thing I learned acting human is that if you are a confident liar than the questioner will be less sure of the truth. I knew that looking away was always the first mistake only an incompetent liar would make. But I never had to lie so absolutely. A heavy reluctance washed over me. I was trying to frantically communicate without words that she was my life.

Her mouth opened soundlessly several times. “If that’s what you want.” Her face showed the most tragic expression I had ever witnessed. Why wasn’t she fighting back? Was I that convincing?

I nodded once. “I would like to ask one favor, though, if that’s not too much,” I said.

I saw her pain and I had to fix my expression before she could read the pain in my eyes.

“Anything,” she vowed.

“Don’t do anything reckless or stupid,” I ordered. “Do you understand what I’m saying?”

She nodded.

“I’m thinking of Charlie, of course. He needs you. Take care of yourself – for him.”

She nodded again. “I will,” she whispered.

“And I’ll make you a promise in return. I promise that this will be the last time you’ll see me. I won’t come back. I won’t put you through anything like this again. You can go on with your life without anymore interference from me. It will be as if I’d never existed.”

At my words I saw her knees start to shake. The heartache I was feeling was so intense – so all consuming that for a moment I didn’t know where I was. I would have staggered sideways if it wasn’t for the tree I was leaning on.

I smiled gently, “Don’t worry. You’re human – your memory is no more than a sieve. Time heals all wounds for your kind.”

“And your memories?” she sounded strangled.

“Well,” I hesitated. “I won’t forget. But my kind…we’re very easily distracted.” I smiled but it was merely a desperate attempt at trying to hide my anguish and grief. I stepped back from Bella. “That’s everything, I suppose. We won’t bother you again.”