*Annabell’s POV

    Huh, did I fall asleep? I guess I tired myself out a little more than I thought. I was surprised when I realized that at some point, one of my earphones must have fallen out of my ear, and I could hear my audiobook, two chapters further than what I remembered, from the other earphone that stayed in place. My body felt somewhat numb.

    “Annabell is sleeping, we’re alone…” Came Catelyn’s voice. ‘We’re alone?’ Who we? I straightened up on the couch. Don’t tell me she’s bringing her dates here or something. Ran through my mind. “Don’t worry, she won’t wake up.” She was reassuring what I thought was her date. Why was she so certain though? Obviously, she was wrong.

    “What?” While Catelyn sounded like she was luring a kid on candy, this voice seemed neutral. As if commenting on the weather. But… that’s, that’s Jasper… I froze. What is going on?

    “Yes! I knew you’d come, so I put a sleeping pill in her drink. There’s no need to worry about being caught, sweetheart. We have the house currently all to ourselves.” What…? Recalling how she made sure that I finished the glass of juice she handed me, I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I trusted her… why would she do that?

    “You drugged Annabell? Why?” Asked Jasper surprised. So he didn’t know. That fact provided me with a tad of relief for a second.

    "To celebrate and spend some quality time with you, of course!" Exclaimed Catelyn excitedly. What does that mean? Is there something between them after all? A cold shiver ran down my spine when I imagined Jasper betraying me like that. Maybe… "She's finally eighteen today so she is eligible to use her family wealth and I am getting a nice sum from it for taking good care of her." I frowned. Money? Seriously?

    “So you’re with her for money?” Asked Jasper again indifferently. I was still quite in shock at what was being revealed to me and it appeared that not even Jasper realized that I am no longer asleep. It would seem he’s too busy…

    "Why, yes! Just like you, darling. It's obvious that such a fine young man like yourself can't be seriously interested in a blind introvert like her.” Is this what she thinks of me this whole time?! “There's no way she can satisfy you. She likes you but she's so inexperienced and likes anyone who shows her a little kindness. I, on the other hand, know how to make a man feel good. Let me show you how thankful I am for your help when she fell down the stairs." Excuse me?! "I was worried I'd have to care for a cripple. She may be blind but care of her doesn't require much. If she couldn't walk though, that's a different story." What does that mean? What would she do then? I pinched my hand to make sure that I’m really not dreaming. It hurt. The sad truth was that I was indeed awake.

    “I thought you were her friend. She thinks of you as family.” Catelyn was not related to me in any way but like very few others I did consider her a family. Was all the kindness she showed me these past two years only a calculated sacrifice on a way to easy money?Once I was eighteen, my guardian was supposed to get a nice sum of money. Officially that was aunt Marry. However she spends a lot of time traveling after her business so she had Catelyn sign a contract that she will receive the money in her place since she helps me. “Please don’t touch me.” Said Jasper. It would seem she not only wanted my money but also my mate. It probably sounded like a casual request to Catelyn but I could hear the hint of warning in his voice and stood up from the couch.

    “I told you that there’s no need to worry. I gave her enough to make her sleep for the rest of the day.” Giggled Catelyn. I overcame the first shock and was getting angrier with Catelyn's every word. I may be blind but I considered myself a decent judge of character… Jasper cleared his throat but it sounded strange. Almost like a growl. Could it be that he was putting up with her because of me? Oh love, I am truly blind. In more ways than one. I can’t believe this bitch!

    “We can have so much fun together.” Continued Catelyn. “Oh!” She exclaimed then as if she got a brilliant idea and lowered her voice. “You know, Annabell has life insurance and if anything happens to her after she is eighteen, I get the money. Maybe... Annabell doesn't need to wake up anymore. All it takes is one pillow…” You’ve got to be kidding me! “And we can split the money.” Not only strange vampires that want my blood, now even supposed family members are after my life! And for what? Stupid money!

    I was done listening, when Jasper growled for real this time. “If you dare to touch her…” He warned her but it was a sight of me that got the right reaction from her.

    “Annabell?! How are you awake?” Seeing me up was apparently too much of a shock to keep her cool and try to pretend again.

    I just wanted her gone. “Get out. Get out and never come near me or my man again. Also forget that you’d get another penny from my family.” My voice was flat, void of any emotion.

    “But-” She didn’t get it. I did not want to hear another word from her mouth. I didn’t care to argue with her about details when I heard everything she said. I finally learned of her true nature and I wouldn’t let her bother my mate anymore either.

   Today was mom’s death anniversary as well as mine and Jasper’s birthday. It’s supposed to be our day. And I won’t stand for her ruining another second of it! “Get out!” I finally lost it and started screaming. I just wanted her gone that instant. “Get the hell out of my house or I'll call the police! You planned to kill me in my sleep? Well guess what? Get in the fucking line!” I couldn’t believe that she considered killing me. I hardly noticed her quick steps heading out and then the sound of her car fading in the distance.

    “Ann…?” Brought me Jasper’s now soft voice along with a gentle touch of his hand on mine out of my trance. I realized my hands were shaking. Firmly embracing him, I let my tears fall. “I’m so sorry, angel.” He comforted me, stroking my head.

    “How could she…?” I just held onto him. He was my safe haven. Wasn’t he? He wouldn’t help Catelyn with her plan, right? He wasn’t tired of waiting either…right? I didn’t know what to believe anymore.

    “If I knew… I’d never leave you alone with her. How are you feeling, angel? She said she drugged you.” Inquired Jasper, concerned.

    “From what I can tell, no drug has as long an effect on me as on normal humans. When it has any at all. Whatever she gave me must have been really strong.” I paused, realizing something horrifying. “Remember what Carlisle said about morphine when he treated me? It had no effect at all… I think that if I was an ordinary human, Catelyn wouldn’t need a pillow after all.”

    “Love, what are you talking about?” Asked Jasper confused.

    “The fact it made me sleep for over an hour means that, was I an average person, I would most likely die from overdose.” My own words made me shiver and Jasper hugged me tightly.

    “I’m glad that you are not an average person, angel.” He placed a kiss on the top of my head.

    “Why did you not tell me about her? She was too sure of herself for this to be the first time she made a move.” I pulled away, but Jasper didn’t let me go.

    “Ann, wait. I had no idea about her plans. I mean…yes she was shamelessly trying to seduce me, but I still thought she really cared about you too. So I just ignored her behaviour towards me and expected her to get tired of it with the lack of my response and move on.” Explained Jasper and I wanted to believe him. “There were no signs that she’d want to hurt you. If I suspected that she did, I’d never leave! Please forgive me my love.”

    I didn’t want to think about the possibilities. I wanted to believe that over everything he tried to hide from me, I can trust my mate. Unsure what to believe or do I just resignedly stood there. Jasper kept on gently holding my hands and caressing them with his fingers. “I understand your hesitation, my love. But I swear there was really nothing between me and Catelyn. What she revealed today was just as much of a surprise for me as it was for you.”

    Jasper let go of one of my hands and strangely lowered himself. Did he just… kneel down? I still stood there completely dumbfounded. “I wanted to wait for tonight but… Annabell Black, you are and always will be the only woman for me.” He announced and I felt him slip something cold on my finger. A ring…? It was getting harder to breathe. “Will you do me the great honor and marry me?” My knees gave out. “Ann!” Jasper caught me and securely held into his arms. “What’s wrong?” He demanded, worried. “I’m taking you to Carlisle.”

    “No! I… nothing. I’m ok. I-it’s… there’s too much happening at once today…”

    “Shhh…” He pressed me close to him, stroking my back. “I’m so sorry, angel. Don’t worry, you don’t need to answer right away. Take as much time as you need. I just need you to know that woman I’d betray you for, does not exist.” I managed a weak smile and then we heard a car on the driveway. What now? “Rosalie. It’s definitely her car.”

    “Oh right.” She was supposed to pick me up. Jasper helped me to my feet and I nearly ran to the door. Jasper didn’t move. Right now I needed space. I stopped when I reached the door but didn’t turn back. “I’ll be waiting for you…” And then I was out of the door. Rose waited for me in the car.

    “Hey! You… don’t look too excited. What happened?” Her enthusiasm evaporated when she got a good look at me.

    “Please, just drive for now. I uhh… need a moment to process it all first.” Rose didn’t press for more and I was glad she left me to my thoughts for the time being as I absentmindedly played with the ring on my left hand.

*

    “Alright, I’m smashing his face in when he shows up!” Announced Rose after we arrived at Cullen’s house and I told her what transpired before she came to pick me up. Now I was sitting on her bed and she angrily paced around her room.

    “No. I mean… I still don’t know what to think about it. He could have told me so many times but stayed quiet.” I paused, playing with the ring he gave me again. “And then he… he asked me to marry him…” That stopped Rosalie’s stomping and the next moment she was by me.

    “What? Omg!” She exclaimed when I showed her my hand with the ring. “Annabell, that ring is beautiful! It has a stone of the same colour as your eyes… What did you tell him?”

    “It’s the same as my eyes?” I was a little stunned. I heard of diamond rings. I could feel that this ring had a stone and just assumed it was one like that. Diamonds were supposed to have no colour. But if this one was green like my eyes, he must have thought about it a lot.

    “Yes! It’s emerald and I tell you, that is not easy to come by. Tell me you agreed.” She said excitedly.

    “I… I didn’t give him my answer yet. I just found out that a person I trusted and considered a family for a long time planned to kill me and was seducing my mate…” I gritted my teeth as the anger bubbled in me again. “I didn’t know what to think.”

    “Well, I’m not going to tell you what you should think. But, I’ll tell you what you should do. You should wear the gorgeous dress, let me do your hair and makeup and go out with him. You’ll find out how serious he is. Although I’m telling you. The stone says it all.” She giggled.

    “Hmmm, alright." I agreed