Chapter 4 Vanessa leaned against his shoulder, still sniffling. Carter held up a piece of pot roast to her lips. "I had Chef Williams from that fancy downtown restaurant make this specially. Way better than anything Martha could whip up." I could still taste the housekeeper's cooking in my mouth-the same pot roast apparently wasn't good enough for Vanessa. She took a bite and gradually stopped crying. "Look," Carter explained in a serious tone, "Eleanor's different from you. She grew up with nothing." "Nobody ever spoiled her or gave her nice things." "It's just some beef, Vanessa. If giving her a little extra makes her happy, then you get to keep your home. Small price to pay, right?" So that's how he saw it. For seven years, he'd occasionally sided with me on trivial matters. All because he thought I was so starved for affection that these small gestures would keep me grateful enough to stay away. But that wasn't true at all. Before the Fosters found me, I was loved. In that military community down south, I had been just like Vanessa-surrounded by people who cared about me. Preston was both brother and father to me, never letting anyone hurt me. The best food always ended up on my plate first. Whatever toys the other kids had, I had too. No matter how rough he lived in the barracks, he always remembered to buy me pink dresses and cupcakes with sprinkles. If he hadn't fallen seriously ill, he would never have let me go with the Fosters. He told me then: "Eleanor, Carter is your real brother-your flesh and blood." "Your parents are gone. If you don't go back, he'll be all alone." "Besides, I'm sick. If you're with the Fosters, surrounded by family, I won't have to worry about you." So I went with Carter back to the Foster home. According to family tradition, they needed to flip a coin to let me back in. But Vanessa had come running in, tears streaming down her face: "If it's heads and Eleanor comes back, I'll leave right away! I promise!" Carter froze just as he was about to enter the study. Since that day, every single coin flip has been tails. Honestly, I didn't feel much-no resentment, no real sadness. I was only three when I disappeared. I had no real memories of the Fosters, no emotional connection. So after the first "tails" result, I just quietly asked him: 'Could you... send me back to Preston instead?" 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.