Hello everyone, I have returned after a very long hiatus, whoop whoop. Before I began writing this fanfiction, I first wanted to say that I am very happy to be back. I have renewed my passion in writing fiction, so I hope that all of you will enjoy this piece of work. It has been almost 10 years since I first started writing on FanFiction. In this time I have made many mistakes, such as failing to full develop story plots from the beginning and not having a long term plan for my work. I believe I have greatly improved my writing style in this time and hope this is evidenced in this story.

In The Name of Love is set in the modern world where the characters do not have magical powers. Bella has been stuck in a abusive relationship with her husband, Congressman Jacob Walsh, for over 5 years. While their life appeared perfect to the public, there was evil and criminal abuse which occurred behind closed doors. Bella, who fears for her life, turns to crime lord Edward Cullen for help escaping her marriage. This begins their story of hurt, crime and love.

This story has been written for mature readers, over the age of 18, as it will contain sexual thoughts/acts and descriptions of violence. This story is not suitable of younger readers (as in keeping with the themes in the original series). Enjoy - Z. P. Point.

New chapters will be released 2pm every Saturday, pacific standard time.

Chapter One.

Five years ago, I married the love of my life. It was a fairytale wedding that was reported in newspapers across the city of Chicago. The press called me Cinderella for years, as I was the housekeeper who somehow managed to snag the attention of the millionaire politician, Jacob. The day I said "I do" was the biggest mistake I ever made.

Three years ago, after a difficult day in congress, Jacob got drunk and hit me for the first time. He told me it was a mistake and spoiled me with gifts for days on end. He told me that he loved me and that it would never happen again. This was the second biggest mistake I ever made, as I believed him.

Now here I stand, with a black eye and the understanding that if Jacob found me here, I would die. Our marriage had descended to the point where Jacob treated me as property, and with his influence on this city, there was nowhere for me to go. Everyone was under his thumb and his power reached far and wide. However, there was one last person whom he did not control. The one person in this city who could save me, but who knew if he was any less evil than Jacob. As my days were numbered, in the place I once called home, I decided it was worth the risk. As my mother once told me, "when a person is left without options, it is not the time to lay down and die. It is the time to be your most resourceful".

I took a moment and trained my face, determined to not show my fear even though I could not stop my hands from shaking. I loudly knocked on the door of the dark mansion, then quickly hid my hands under the sleeves of my coat. It was snowing and easy to conceal my identity under my layers of clothing. This was the only reason I finally made the trip here, as this is the last place on earth I wanted to be seen.

The door slowly opened and a hulking dark haired man stood above me. I resisted the urge to flinch away from his presence, as his blank face and bulging muscles made my adrenaline levels sky rocket. I may have issues with post-traumatic stress syndrome, but this is the lions den and not the time to show weakness, I reminded myself.

"What do you want?" He said, almost sounding bored. Like I was inconveniencing his day by coming to his door. I held strong, using the years of misery I faced to train my face and voice to portray confidence.

"I am here to see Mr Edward…I'm sorry I do not know his last name".

"No-one knows his last name and Edward does not see people without an appointment. Get lost". The man moved to close the door as I darted forward, my foot sliding in to prevent it closing.

"PLEASE!" I shouted, the panic and desperation seeping out despite my best attempts to hide were dangerous people and while I wanted their help, I did not want to become the victim again. My hood, which was protecting my face from the snow and prying eyes, fell back slightly revealing my face and black eye. I saw the mans face shift with recognition, and a sliver of sympathy. I quickly grabbed my hood to cover my face again. Hiding in public has been difficult for me to master.

"I just need a moment of his time, I promise not to be long" I begged. My pride was on the floor but verged on weeping with relief when he opened the door. I walked in quickly before he could change his mind. The man ordered that I take a seat in the foyer and wait, as he disappeared up the stairs. My stomach was still in knots and I could here the blood pulsing in my ears. I needed to calm down or I was at risk of having a panic attack and vomiting all over the floor.

I put my hands on my stomach and took some deep breaths. I still felt a mild level of panic but I was back in control, giving myself a moment to observe my surroundings and I gotta say…I'm surprised. I didn't know what to expect in a crime lords home. Perhaps blood splatters on the walls and guns on every table. However, this looks like a very normal family home. There was a warmth to the home, with family photos and fluffy carpet that felt soft under my shoes, but maybe it is all a front. My defenses were up and I was determined not to be fooled.

After waiting for 30 minutes I started to think that I had been forgotten. I was moments away from going and finding someone, when the man who answered the door reappeared and I was summonsed. The house, which appeared normal from the front, was actually massive and a maze of doors. I had lost all my bearing by the time I arrived in a very luxe looking office. The room was dark, yet beautiful with hints of emerald and silver, and encompassed the most beautiful man I had ever seen. Edward did not say a word, did not smile and barely looked me in the eye. He just gestured to the seat in front of him and I quickly sat down. This was a critical meeting and I was desperate for his help.

"Mr Edward-"

"Why are you here?" Edward said firmly, interrupting the pre-rehearsed speech which I had been practicing for days. It threw me. As did the blankness in his face and the dismissive tone. I steeled my resolve though and embraced the uncomfortable energy, as what else could I expect from someone in his profession.

"Well Mr Edward, I need your help getting some documents. A false passport, drivers license, birth certificate and credit card to be specific." I stated in a matter of fact manner. Edward smirked at me and leaned forward on his desk, his long perfect fingers steepled in front of his chest. It was as if he was studying me, before leaning back in his large office chair, looking resolved and slightly intimidating in his emaculate black suit.

"Do you know who I am?" Edward asked.

"Yes".

"Then I believe you are mistaken Mrs. Walsh. I am a careful business man and I do not conduct an illegal business. I will not be able to help you" Edward said and then gestured to the door. It was clear that I was being dismissed.

"No, wait!" I yelped, leaning forward in my seat. I know I must have looked like I was pleading with him, but I guess I was. I knew that my connection to Edward would be an issue, this would look to him like a set up. This was just another way in which Jacob controls my life, as his notoriety had squashed all my previous attempts at getting help. People knew me and thought I was a fake or that they were being tested, after all, what wife would want to leave the perfect millionaire family man that was Jacob Walsh. People did not understand that I need to escape and yet all the doors I try seem to be closing in my face. The panicked feeling from earlier rose and I felt my body get hot. My fingers were tingling and I knew a panic attack was near but I did not care. I needed Edward to help me.

"Mrs. Walsh, it's time for you to leave" Edward said as he stood up. My eyes went wide as I looked behind me, the dark haired man from earlier had returned and was waiting at the open door for me. It dawned on me, my last hope at escaping hell had just crumbled, and I felt myself crumble with it. The panic attack that I had been keeping at bay all day rose to the surface and irrupted.

"PLEASE! YOU MUST HELP ME!" I yelled as I launched myself onto the floor. I quickly grabbed the trash can that was sitting next to his desk and violently vomited. The tears came as I curled into a ball, taking breaks from my wails to hurl.

"I don't want to die but I can't live like this anymore" I whimpered. I looked up to see Edward gazing down at me, his face filled with rage. I looked down to see what he was staring at, and realized that in my desperation to grab the trash can, my top had come up slightly showing the deep bruises covering my middle. I quickly yanked the top back down, feeling to overwhelmed and panicked to even feel shame.

"What the fuck is going on?!" Edward asked, looking bewildered with the turn of events. He waved his hand at me and looked to his co-worker for help, who shrugged with confusion. They both look uncomfortable, as they helped me off the floor and back onto my chair. I didn't want to relive the hell that has been my life for the past 3 years, but I told them. I told them about the abuse and control that I had endured and how I feared for my life.

"If you're not going to help me then please just let me go. I will do what I have to do but I'm not going home, waiting until the day that he snaps and kills me. I can't live like this" I said, which was the truth. I will live in my car and drive every day for the rest of my life. I would rather be poor and homeless on the streets that live one more day in my gold coated cage.

After a long wait Edward finally looked me in the eye. I hoped to see sympathy in his eyes but instead I saw a detachment. He looked cold, like a ruthless businessman and not like we were discussing my life.

"I will help you but I will help you on my terms. I cannot offer you documents, as that will take time. What I can offer you is refuge, however it must be on my terms. This is the deal, no further discussion. Take it or leave it." Edward said. He did not wait for my response, he just stood up and left with purpose in his stride. While I was hoping for more kindness, at this stage I know I am clinging to anyone who showed me mercy, and I have been thrown a lifeline. I was not 100% sure what I was agreeing to but I know I had no other options.

"I agree" I said to the dark haired man. He simply nodded and left out the same door. I was left alone in my grief.

Thank-you all for reading this new venture of mine. Please show your love by supporting this story with follows/reviews/favorites. It is the only way to gauge if this story is worth my time and efforts. I know this first chapter was quite dark but I'm sure it will bring you lots of joy in the future.

Lots of Love,

Z. P. Point