𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 | 𝐉𝐀𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐑 𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐄

𝟏𝟐 | 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐄𝐑

MY DAD WAS WATCHING THE BASEBALL GAME, MY CURLED BEAIDE HIM ON THE COUCH. The house was calm until the front door burst open.

It was me tears streaming down my face and Jasper right behind, his expression torn, devastated but quiet. Pure acting

"I said leave me alone, Jasper. I can't do this anymore!" I shouted, my voice cracking.

He stepped forward carefully, voice low and trembling with concern.

"Delilah, please... just think about it. Don't do this in anger."

"Get out!" I cried, cutting him off. "It's over."

I slammed the door. My parents jumped to their feet, startled.

"Delilah?" Dad's voice was unsure.
"What happened?" Mom asked softly, eyes flicking toward the door.

"I have to get out of here. Out of Forks. I hate it here, I'm leaving."

I ran upstairs, their voices following me. When I reached my room, Jasper was already there quietly gathering clothes, moving so fast my eyes couldn't keep up.

I leaned against the door, my breath shaky.
"I can't just leave them," I whispered, my voice breaking.

Jasper froze, then turned to me. His eyes were so full of ache it nearly shattered me. He stepped close, gently placing his hands on my shoulders.

"I know," he said quietly. "But you have to. They'll be safe if you go."

There was a knock at the door.
"Lily? Did he hurt you?" Mom asked.

"No, Mom," I said quickly.

"Then what? Did he break up with you?" Dad asked.

"I broke up with him," I whispered.

Mom frowned. "Why? I thought you liked him. You told me he was so important to you."

"That's why I have to leave," I said. "I don't want this anymore. I just want to go home. Forks isn't home. Not for me."

Jasper's voice was almost a breath against my ear. "I'll be waiting in your car," he whispered, then disappeared out the window.

I swallowed hard and opened the door to face my parents. Their worry was like a weight pressing on my chest. I brushed past them, duffel bag in hand.

"Delilah, there's nobody waiting in California," Dad said.

"Grandma is," I answered. "Uncle Eric. Aunt Crystal."

"You can't drive there now," Mom said gently. "We'll take you to the airport in the morning if you still want to go."

"I need time to think," I said. "I'll stop at a motel if I have to."

They followed me down the stairs, Mom blocking the door. "Sweetheart, I know things have been hard since Amelia... but we're still here for you. You're not alone."

I looked away, my throat tight. "You're here, but you're not with me. Dad's always working, you're always worrying. It's like I'm just a reminder of what we lost."

That hit them both I saw it. I hated myself for saying it.

"Delilah, don't go," Dad pleaded.

My heart broke. "If I stay, I'll end up like Amelia stuck, hurting. I can't do that."

Before they could stop me, I pushed past and ran out the door, tears blurring everything.

Outside, I stumbled toward my car. That's when I saw them the trees,

I gasped, starting the car and speeding off, trembling.

Then, suddenly Jasper appeared beside my window, his voice steady but soft.
"They'll forgive you," he said gently. "Slide over."

I moved without a word. He took the wheel, calm and focused.

"I told them things I can't take back," I whispered, wiping tears.

"You did what you had to," Jasper said, glancing at me with warmth. "You saved them."

He pressed the gas harder. "Your parents are safe now, Delilah. The tracker's after Bella and Edward."

A thump hit the roof. I gasped, heart pounding.

"It's alright," he soothed, hand brushing mine. "It's just Emmett. Alice is right behind us."

His voice was the only thing steady in that chaos low, grounding.

The world outside blurred past as we reached the Cullen house. Edward and Bella arrived the same moment we did, both frantic.

When the door opened and Laurent stepped out, Jasper immediately stepped in front of me calm but ready, his hand just barely touching mine to reassure me.

When the chaos began Carlisle giving orders, Edward and Emmett preparing for a fight Jasper never raised his voice. He just stayed close, hand at the small of my back, always the quiet anchor in the storm.

Later, when it was time to separate, he turned to me, brushing my cheek with his fingers. "We'll find you again," he said softly. "I promise, darlin'. You're my heart now."

I could barely breathe.
"Jasper..."

He smiled faintly that small, knowing one I'd come to love. "On the bright side," he murmured, "Rosalie likes you a little more than Bella."

I laughed through my tears, holding on to him one last time before the cars pulled away.