So very emotional and such a conflicted ending for me. In some ways I am so glad that things have turned a corner as it is very clear that Carlisle is starting back in the right direction and that Esme would never leave him and she deserves to be with a better Carlisle. But still, I personally cannot forgive him and I'm quite sure that Edward will struggle to too. Also none of them will ever be able to forget that darkness in Carlisle and what he is capable of.

I hope, at least, that things will truly get better for all of them.

Thank you for writing this story. It is so well written and has touched on complex, dark and difficult subjects with a great deal of respect and I'm sure they were even harder to write than they were to read. It is a story that will certainly stay with me.

Absolutely heartbreaking. I can see how this sequence of events might have broken Carlisle, but his actions and attitude are still completely unforgivable.

The way you have written Esme is somehow honest, both beautiful and infuriating at the same time. It has struck a real chord with me. Some would be unable to understand why Esme would not leave and you have made her decision-making on this transparent and I understand it, even if I wish she would leave him.

Esme has gone from an abusive relationship in her human life to a whole new level of abusive one in her vampire life. That she feels she deserves it and that Carlisle feeds into this belief is so sad. They are both wrong and yet locking each other into a cycle of misplaced blame.

That Edward is so caught up is terrible as well. Especially when you view his relationship with Esme as mother/son.

I have absolutely no idea how this will end.

So similar to canon and yet so stunningly different at the same time. Esme would have survived...if she was not Carlisle's singer. Very interesting and I'm still nervous about clicking next btw.

I came across your story when I was looking for something short and different to read...and this most definitely is that. I have never read anything like it and it has completely drawn me in despite going against everything I feel about Carlisle.

I am compelled to find out what happened to bring them to this point but almost scared to click next. The first chapter alone was very powerful and dark to read.

So I finally got to read something of you. A terrible story, but compelling, one I'll not forget easily.

surprising and original, indeed!

- Raum

First, this is really really good for being the first fanfic you ever wrote! And wow, the darkness and emotion was profound and touching, it was beautiful in a dark, sad way.

You did a really wonderful job writing this, it was really touching in a sad way, but the good kind of sad. Well, not good, but good in the sense that it was supposed to be sad, :P

Oh...mi...gosh

i absolutly postivly LOOOOOVE THIIS!

Best fucking fanfic ever

i love me some dark Carlisle

funny how people complain bout dark carl but noone does about darkward lol

i looooooooooovvvve this this is seriouy the best fic ever

nd i tottaly get y carlisle is mad with esme now lol

i looove this n thxs for addng me in ur a.n lol

plz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz

plzz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz pl plz plz llz plz plz pleeeaasssssseee write more!

-Jade

Great last chapter hun, I...uh...enjoyed it more then I probably should *cough, cough* I do belive that Esme will fix him and make him better. I like that there is no real resolution to this. He will not become a saint over night but I think the transformation has started.

Good job hun!

Nice waves of emotions here; the fierceness, the edge, then the balance and unpredictability of the calm and the vulnerable. You hit on a lot of complex emotions here, and I think it was very coherent. I also want to commend you on the originality of this fic as a whole; I've never seen it done before,(at least not in a way that could pull the darkness off, because for me, darkness only works if there is a tender aspect to balance it out), but you have found that balance. I also like that you kept in canon with Esme's need to love passionately despite how he has wronged her. Well done.

Very powerful, and very thought provoking. Esme is very selfless to be willing to take on the blame for Carlisle's reaction to her as his la tua contante. It's not really her fault, of course.

Playing with these concepts of abuse and abuser in the vampire world does give you a creative license it would be a shame to use in the real world.

You were right, understanding is different than condoning. However, there is still no justification for the abuse.

Thanks for a great story.

OMG Carlisle!

I feel really bad for finding bad Carlisle attractive : /

It is really interesting to see him battleing with the good of his human life and the nature of his vampire life.

Vampires, after all, were made to be more the way carlisle is in this story. They were made to drink the blood of humans and in a way they should not feel bad about that because it is simply what they are.

I think the violence and hatred is because of the 2 sides of him clashing. He wants to be good, he wants to be forgiven, and wants to be what he was before Esme. Most the vamps in Twilight have slipped and fed off humans and forgiven themselves but Carlisle seems unable to do this so he is blameing Esme for the monster that was always hiding inside him because he knows no other way to get rid of his rage.

Only when he forgives himself will he get over this I think.

Anouther great chapter. Carlisle is always shown as controled and almost human but a vampire is exactly what it is, a vampire. And there must of been times in his past where he sturuggled.

Can't wait to read the end of this.

GAH dude sorry it took so long to get back to reading this. I hurt my back and life was being a pain in the ass but I am back now.

I like this chapter, I like seeing a little more of Esme's past. Her first impression of Carlisle (so hot) and a little bit of Edward.

Poor Esme. I suppose the ripple effect really does fit with this story. Its amazing really how one person can change so may lives by just being the person they are. And yet Carlisle despite all his preaching doesn't seem to be trying hard enough to change, its like he enjoys the pain and is looking for reasons he thinks are good enough not to. Maybe in the next chapter Esme should stand up to carlisle. I give this story 5 stars xoxo

I don't know why I find this story so compelling. It goes against everything I think about Carlisle - that he is compassionate, kind, and mostly IN CONTROL of his emotions. I don't like this Carlisle. I think this Esme should run away, as far and as fast as she can.

I guess what I like about this story is that it makes me think. It challenges me to look into the face of the monster. I don't like what I see there, but I can't seem to look away.