Chapter 16 For a moment I was stunned, almost laughing out loud. Maybe blood really is thicker than water-siblings sometimes have an inexplicable connection. Perhaps he sensed something. About what I might know, about my decision to leave. I looked at him, saying nothing for a long time. The uneasiness in Carter's eyes gradually deepened until he finally, guiltily, avoided my gaze. He explained, deceiving himself as much as me: It took seven years to get heads. I feel terrible about it, but there was nothing I could do." Thankfully, after appealing to our ancestors again, I finally got a favorable result." I sensed there was more to his words, so I silently waited for him to continue. With shifting eyes, he eventually went on: 'Before, the rule was that if you came back, Vanessa would have to leave." 'But I thought about how compassionate our family traditions are meant to be." 'So this time I... decided that you can come home, and Vanessa can stay too." He'd actually managed to say something so absurd. Blaming seven years and a hundred lies on some family radition. After seven years, he finally decided to let me come home, but still couldn't bear to let Vanessa leave. felt absolutely nothing anymore, and simply replied: 'I'm used to my apartment. No need to move." Carter looked at me sharply, urgency in his eyes: "But... tomorrow is the anniversary of Mom and Dad's deaths." I no longer had any feelings for Carter as my so-called brother. But when it came to my parents, I couldn't remain unmoved. Carter had told me that after I went missing at the train station, Mom was devastated with grief and guilt, 16·05 searching frantically for me. After six months of fruitless searching, she fell ill from worry and passed away within a year. Dad was also heartbroken, and in his distracted state, drowned. His suicide note contained just a few heartbreaking lines: "Carter, you must find your sister." "Bring her to your mother's and my grave, so we can rest in peace." Seven years ago, hearing this story had convinced me to follow Carter to Boston. I'd believed blood relatives wouldn't mistreat me. Yet I was never allowed into the Foster home. Carter only took me to our parents' graves in the suburbs. Now, seven years later, my heart had finally died toward Carter. But my parents were different. Early the next morning, I went with General Miller to the train station and bought tickets for that evening's train back south. After finishing that errand, I still went to the Foster house. Carter was already standing outside the family home, waiting for who knows how long. Seeing me, he forced an awkward smile and walked over: "Eleanor, you're home." Seven years ago, when I first arrived in Boston with him, he'd said the same thing. Back then, my eyes had welled up. Now, looking at his face, I felt only detachment. I followed him inside to visit my parents' photographs in the family room. The Foster family came out to welcome me. Each wore the same strange, fake smile as Carter. As if they'd all been cut from the same mold. As soon as I entered the house, I heard Vanessa's bitter sobbing from upstairs. Carter looked extremely uncomfortable. He asked the housekeeper to show me to the living room where my parents' portraits were displayed, then lowered his voice to instruct the other family members: Chapter 16 "Tell her to keep it down. Don't let her come downstairs while Eleanor's here." Someone muttered unhappily: "Vanessa's just afraid Eleanor will take her place in the-" Carter lost his patience, his hushed voice furious: "It was never hers to begin with. I already said Eleanor could keep her own apartment..." Realizing his voice had risen, he abruptly fell silent. Plastering on a smile again, he hurried back to my side as we entered the formal living room. I felt exhausted just watching him. I placed flowers beneath my parents' photographs and stood quietly before them. Carter stood beside me. As we both gazed at our parents' faces, he suddenly asked: 'Eleanor, do you hate me?" 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. 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