From time to time on that first day, she would look up at me, and there would be a flash of recognition in her eyes. An awareness that shook me to the core.

“Edward…” she whispered.

“Yes, beloved?”

“Don’t – don’t leave me… p-promise me.”

“I never will. I promise you, Bella.”

The second day was better. She was much calmer and convulsed less. At times she seemed almost to be sleeping, although Carlisle told me this was impossible, and that it was probably caused by the morphine.

By the third day, Bella was more alert, seemingly more herself, although there were dark shadows under her eyes. This troubled me. But what worried me the most was how silent Bella was.

“Would you like some time alone?” I asked her, hoping against hope that she would deny and say she wanted me to stay. But to my dismay, she nodded.

“If you don’t mind, Edward. I just need time – time to get used to this, you know?”

There was a glimmer of Bella in her words, a hint of the girl I loved. But her eyes were cold.