Chapter 12 Vanessa was in a hospital gown, her forehead covered with ointment, looking fragile and weak. Carter was speaking to her soothingly: "A few days of rest here and you'll be fine. It won't leave a scar." I couldn't believe it-the tiny cut from the ceramic shard, and she was actually hospitalized? That minor scratch would heal on its own in two or three days without treatment. I had no interest in acknowledging them, but as Carter was talking to Vanessa, he happened to look up and saw me. Then his eyes moved to Preston behind me, and his expression froze. This was the first time in seven years that Carter had seen Preston come to Boston for me. In the past, Preston had kept his distance, worried about upsetting the Fosters. Since they'd taken me back, he rarely contacted me directly. On the rare occasions we did meet, he was careful to maintain space between us whenever Carter was present. When visiting me in Boston, he deliberately avoided Carter. All because he thought I was being treated well. But now, Preston stepped forward and deliberately took hold of my wrist. Carter's eyebrows instantly knitted together. His hands clenched into fists as his face showed something close to alarm. He had always resented Preston's existence. I was lost at age three, found by Preston at four, and raised by him for eleven years. After Preston's parents died, they left him their house on the military base and some savings. After finding me, Preston had adopted me under the name of one of his father's fellow soldiers. He used his parents' home and savings to raise me, becoming both brother and father to me. That's why after I was found, Carter could always be gentle with me-except whenever I mentioned Preston. His eyes would inevitably flash with displeasure and poorly concealed wariness. Chapter 12 Now, Carter stared at Preston's hand holding my wrist, clear displeasure darkening his expression. His furrowed brow didn't relax as he approached us. "Colonel Shaw," he said coolly. "What brings you to Boston?" Preston had always been respectful in the past. Whenever he saw Carter, he would greet him first, politely and warmly. But today, his attitude was noticeably cold. He didn't call him "Mr. Foster," just looked at him with detached calmness and said: "Visiting Eleanor. It's been a while." Carter finally lost his composure. His face hardened, his voice taking on a sharp edge: "My sister has me and the Foster family looking after her. No need for you to be so concerned, Colonel." Preston let out a soft, humorless laugh. His gaze swept over Vanessa as if she were an object, then returned to Carter's face: "Seems like you've got your hands full with... other priorities. The whole Foster family must be just swamped with those priorities too." I'd never heard Preston use such a cutting tone before. Carter was visibly unsettled. He let go of Vanessa and tried to defend himself: "Eleanor was being impulsive. She pushed Vanessa and hurt her." 'A young woman's face is her most important asset." I found his words ridiculous and glared at him angrily: 'She shattered something irreplaceable to me. Was I wrong to slap her?" "If one slap makes her fall down, is she made of porcelain?" Carter was about to say something-undoubtedly to defend Vanessa again. Preston's gaze had already fallen on Vanessa's forehead wound. He looked at it for a moment before asking: "You're injured?" 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.