Chapter 10 The tears I'd been holding back for seven years suddenly poured down my face. I bit my lip hard and shoved him away. When I finally spoke, my voice broke into sobs: "The Fosters don't want me." "You liar. You promised you'd always take care of me." 'You got sick and dumped me." 'You didn't want me anymore, and neither do they!" For the first time in seven years, I was crying. Once the tears started, they wouldn't stop. The man I thought was just in my imagination stumbled backward. He steadied himself with one hand on the ground, his gentle expression darkening: 'Why didn't you ever tell me this?" 'I thought you said you were happy living with the Fosters." My vision blurred completely as I choked on my sobs: 'I didn't want you to worry. And I knew there was nothing you could do anyway." Legally, I was a Foster. Before I turned eighteen, Preston had no right to take me back. By the time I was an adult, I was already a sophomore in college. Transferring or dropping out was practically impossible. So only now-after finishing college and starting my hospital job-could I finally admit the truth, even if just o an imaginary Preston. I used to believe Carter genuinely cared about me. Seven years ago, when the Fosters found me, Preston had just been deployed to a peacekeeping mission at the border where he was shot in the liver. He survived against all odds but was left with permanent liver damage. Doctors said even if he lasted three to five years, he would never have a normal lifespan. Chapter 10 Worried that no one would be there for me after he was gone, he immediately encouraged me to go with the Fosters when they found me. But I worried about him too. I feared that knowing I was unhappy would stress him when he could do nothing about it, making his condition worse. Over these seven years, I had seen him occasionally. Each time, I never dared mention my unhappiness. The man before me now looked extremely serious, his eyes filled with deep sorrow and anger. Suddenly he reached out and pulled me into a tight embrace. In his familiar warmth, I gradually realized this wasn't a hallucination. Preston was actually here. His usually steady voice now trembled: "Silly girl. You should have told me you weren't happy." 'T'll always be here for you from now on. That's a promise." Before he could finish, a woman's voice called out from behind him: 'Eleanor! It really is you!" I looked up to see Aunt Martha climbing out of a military Jeep, rushing toward me. When she saw my tear-streaked face, she looked heartbroken. She hurried over and wrapped her arms around me, pulling me from Preston's embrace. Her voice shook with concern: 'Oh, my sweet girl, why are you crying like this?" Preston seemed to gather himself. He took off his military coat and draped it over my shoulders, then gently rushed the snow from my hair, his voice still unsteady: 'Come on, let's get you warmed up in the car. You're freezing out here." In "A Relationship Kept in The Dark" by CrushReel, the storyline unfolds as renowned photographer Jane finds herself drawn to the charismatic rookie model, Hector. Little does she know that Hector harbors a secret—he is actually the heir to a powerful business empire. As their romance blossoms, Hector grapples with concealing his true identity to capture Jane's heart. However, their love story takes a tumultuous turn when jealousy rears its ugly head, threatening to unravel the delicate balance they've built. This modern romance novel delves into themes of hidden identities, unexpected love, and the complexities of maintaining a relationship shrouded in secrecy. With its blend of sweet romance and suspenseful twists, "A Relationship Kept in The Dark" stands out for its exploration of hidden feelings and the consequences of revealing long-held secrets. For readers seeking a captivating tale that combines elements of romance, intrigue, and emotional depth, this ongoing story is available to read at CrushReel. Immerse yourself in the world of Jane and Hector as their journey unfolds against the backdrop of hidden truths and heartfelt revelations.