Chapter 7 The entire room fell silent in an instant. Aunts and uncles rushed over to play peacemaker: "Eleanor, calm down." "It's New Year's Eve-let's not ruin the holiday. Vanessa didn't do it on purpose." Everyone was trying to calm me down. Everyone was Vanessa's human shield. I lunged forward, trying to get past Carter to grab Vanessa. Carter blocked me instinctively. Several aunts pulled me back, their voices a blur of platitudes and excuses. A high-pitched ringing filled my ears, drowning out their words. Someone either pulled or pushed me hard. I broke free from their grip only to stumble and fall to the floor. My head hit something-the impact made my brain buzz. Vanessa cowered against the wall, sobbing dramatically. Carter's face darkened as he knelt down to help me up. He stared at my forehead, his voice suddenly unsteady: Where-where did you hit? Let me see." looked at his face inches from mine-that fake mask of concern. ust like seven years ago when he first came to get me from the south. The same worried expression, the same pretend compassion. had been perfectly fine before he showed up. I didn't need him to "rescue" me. I wouldn't be sitting here all alone every night if he'd just left me with Preston. I had people who truly loved me, who genuinely cared. Seven years of bottled-up resentment and suffocation exploded all at once. My stomach churned. As he leaned in closer, I swung my hand and slapped him hard across the face. Carter froze mid-reach, the sound of the slap hanging in the air. My eyes blazed with fury as I screamed: "Why did you even bring me back?" "If you never wanted me home, WHY DID YOU BRING ME HERE?" Something like terror flashed across Carter's eyes: "You... did you...?" For a split second, he suspected I knew something. But the relatives quickly jumped to his defense: 'Eleanor, the coin flips have all been tails-your brother feels worse about it than anyone!" 'How can you accuse him of not wanting you home? You think he'd lie about the coin?" "That would bring a curse on the family! He'd never do such a thing!" Through my rage, I almost wanted to laugh. A curse on the family? Really? He'd lied a hundred times over seven years-how many curses was that? The thing is, he didn't need to do any of this. He could have just left me where I was. nstead, he used this stupid coin flip charade for seven years to show how much he cared about Vanessa-cared enough to keep his own sister exiled. hadn't even been allowed to see my parents' photos in the family home. After a long silence, Carter finally seemed to collect himself. He must have convinced himself I couldn't possibly know the truth. He looked at me, his expression helpless: I'll try to get heads soon. I promise." Chapter 7 I met his gaze and let out a mocking laugh. "Whatever. I couldn't care less." 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.