Chapter 9 Once I decided to head south in the morning, all my anger, resentment, and hurt seemed to fade away. All that remained was excitement about seeing Preston again and anticipation of returning to everyone at the military base who actually cared about me. These seven years of loneliness felt like some strange dream. I walked out into the night and down the long street. New Year's Eve was alive with celebration-colorful fireworks exploded across the sky while Christmas lights still twinkled on houses and trees. In a narrow alley, children ran past me with sparklers, laughing and chasing each other. Every window glowed with warmth, families gathered together inside. On this beautiful night, I seemed to be the only person alone. For seven years, I'd always been alone. I remembered New Year's Eve celebrations at the military base before I came to Boston. Preston-tough soldier that he was-had learned to knit from Martha Miller just to make me a bright red scarf for the holiday. Luke from next door had excitedly brought me special fireworks he'd found downtown. Mrs. Zhang would lean out her window: "Eleanor! Bring your brother over for my apple pie!" And Mrs. Yuan would immediately shout from her window: "I already invited Eleanor for hot chocolate and cookies-your pie can wait!" I sat on a bench watching fireworks bloom in the night sky. I could almost hear Luke's proud voice: "See? I told you these premium fireworks look way better than the cheap ones!" Occasional groups of people walked by, carrying shopping bags and gift boxes, laughing together. I watched them dreamily, seeing instead the many faces from the military community. They stood in my hazy memory, smiling and waving urgently: "Hurry up, Eleanor! Dinner's on the table!" Chapter 9 "Preston, look at how skinny your sister's gotten! Go get her and make sure she eats plenty!" I could see Preston smiling, walking toward me from the fog of memory, his face becoming clearer with each step. In his Army uniform-nobody in the world wore it better. I watched him approach and kneel in front of me. His usually stern face softened the way it always did when he looked at me. saw the concern and worry in his eyes as he called my name: Eleanor?" How strange-why did this hallucination suddenly feel so real? So real it made me ache even more. stared at his face, now just inches away. His uniform shoulders were dusted with Boston's evening snow. My lips trembled as I suddenly felt like crying. He moved closer and gently touched my head: Hey, sweetheart. What's got you sitting out here all by yourself?" Shouldn't you be with the Fosters tonight?" 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.