Bella stood there, her chest heaving, tears streaking her face, her hand still shaking from the slap. Her knees gave way, and she sank to the floor, sobbing quietly into her hands.
Her throat felt scorched from holding back tears, and her chest hurt so much she wondered if heartbreak could physically bruise you.
She'd imagined this night so many times before; telling him the truth, explaining everything, and finally unburdening herself. Yet, she had never imagined it would end with him calling her a liar.
She raised her legs, so that her face was resting on her knees. The air left her lungs in a strangled gasp as she wrapped her hands around her legs, the sound of her quiet sobs mixing with the faint hum of the refrigerator in the kitchen.
She buried her face in her knees, shoulders trembling violently. She didn't even hear them coming.
"Bella?" Chloe's voice came softly at first though with a hint of cautiousness, and worry.
