Echoes of the Heart - 1. Chapter 1: What changes have happened in Carter and Jeremy's lives while apart?

Echoes of the Heart Ch. 01

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***

Pain... There are many kinds of pain.

Physical pain—sharp, throbbing, relentless—can bring tears to your eyes, but it fades with time.

There’s the pain of loss, which leaves a hollow ache in your chest, making the world feel cold and empty.

But nothing compares to emotional pain. The kind that claws at your insides, leaving invisible scars. It’s the kind of pain that can stay with you for years, silently shaping your heart and mind, influencing how you view the world and the people around you.

Emotional pain is a thief. It steals your peace, breaks your trust, and destroys the relationships you hold dear.

It can make you build walls so high, even love struggles to climb them. It blinds you, pushing away those who want to help, isolating you in your misery. But...

When we manage to overcome that pain—when we accept the past, forgive ourselves and others, and decide to move on—a light begins to shine.

It starts small, like a distant star in a dark sky, but it grows. And as it brightens, it brings warmth and clarity. It brings new hope. New people. New beginnings. A light that promises happiness, joy, and perhaps, love once more.

***

8 months later…

*

A light appeared, illuminating the space. A smile came into view—a smile so warm and radiant that it seemed to chase away the shadows of the past. The lips curved gently, naturally, showing a kindness that matched the sparkle in the eyes. His dark brown hair was loosely styled, with blonde highlights catching the light in subtle streaks. His handsome face, glowing with happiness, looked at peace. The kind of peace that comes after a long battle with oneself, after years of struggle. His eyes were bright, shining like polished gems, full of life and excitement.

It was Carter.

He stood tall and confident, dressed in an impeccably tailored designer suit. The deep charcoal fabric had a soft sheen, the slim-fit jacket hugging his athletic build perfectly. The jacket was unbuttoned, revealing a crisp, white dress shirt underneath, open at the collar, the smallest hint of a satin black tie tucked into his breast pocket for later. His trousers were sharp, with clean lines that extended down to his polished black oxford shoes. Every detail, from the subtle monogram on his cufflinks to the silver watch on his wrist, was elegant and precise, reflecting his newfound status.

He raised the gleaming trophy above his head, and the room erupted in cheers. Cameras flashed from every angle, capturing every second of this momentous occasion. The snaps were incessant, the bright lights making the polished surface of the trophy gleam even more. The flashes illuminated Carter’s face, highlighting the mix of emotions playing out there—nervousness, yes, but also immense joy. His heart pounded in his chest, racing with both boyish excitement and the weight of the achievement.

He had never imagined himself standing here, on this stage, in front of so many distinguished faces—people he had only seen in magazines and newspapers.

But now, here he was, in their midst, receiving the award for Youngest Entrepreneur of the Year. His mind spun as he tried to process it all. A part of him couldn’t believe it, but the heavy weight of the trophy in his hand grounded him, reminded him that it was real.

The man who had presented the award stepped forward and handed Carter the microphone with a smile.

“Let’s hear a few words from our winner.”

Carter’s hands trembled slightly as he took the microphone, the cool metal feeling foreign in his grip. His throat tightened, and for a moment, his nerves threatened to overpower him. He glanced at the crowd, the sea of faces staring back at him, and swallowed hard. But then, his eyes caught sight of a familiar figure in the audience.

Jeff was seated toward the front, looking as sharp as ever in a tailored suit, his hair combed back neatly. On his lap sat Oliver, the little boy also dressed to impress in a mini suit, clapping his hands excitedly. Both of them were beaming at him, cheering him on. The sight of them made Carter’s heart swell, and a smile broke out across his face, easing his nerves.

Carter took a deep breath, his smile softening as he looked at the microphone. He knew he could do this. He could speak from the heart.

“Thank you,” he began, his voice steady but warm. “Thank you all for this incredible honor. I never thought... I never imagined I’d be standing here in front of all of you.” He paused, his eyes drifting to Jeff and Oliver once more before scanning the audience again. “I came from a place of uncertainty, where I didn’t know who I was or what I wanted. But along the way, I found people who believed in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself.”

The crowd was silent, hanging on his every word as Carter continued, the light in his heart now shining through his eyes and his words.

“9 months ago,” he began with a soft chuckle, “if anyone had told me I’d be standing here today, I wouldn’t have believed them.” He paused, the smile returning to his face, his eyes scanning the crowd briefly before settling back on the microphone. “But... here I am,” he said with a bit of amazement in his voice, his chuckle carrying a sense of disbelief.

He shifted slightly, his fingers tightening around the microphone as he found his footing.

“Being given this opportunity... it’s both an honor and a challenge. And let me tell you, it wasn’t easy. But the hardest part about tonight is that the person who gave me that opportunity... isn’t here to see me win.”

The smile that had lit up Carter's face faltered slightly, a shadow passing over his expression as thoughts of Jeremy surfaced. His voice grew softer, more introspective.

“Jeremy was always a challenge to be with. He pushed me, made me question myself, forced me to grow in ways I never thought possible. But that challenge... it shaped me into the person standing before you today.”

He paused again, this time longer, as if gathering the courage to continue. Then, with a genuine and heartfelt smile, he lifted his head, looking directly into the camera that was broadcasting his speech.

“Jeremy... if you can see this, wherever you are... thank you. Thank you so much for this opportunity, for believing in me, for being such an incredible friend. I hope you’re happy. I hope... that my prayers are reaching you, and that one day, you’ll come back home. We all miss you, my friend. So much.”

Meanwhile, in a faintly lit room far far away, a laptop sat open on a small wooden desk, its screen playing Carter’s speech. The soft glow of the screen illuminated the dim surroundings, casting shadows along the walls. The camera zoomed in on the smiling face of Carter, his heartfelt words reaching the quiet space.

On the bed nearby, a hand gripped a half-full champagne glass. The light from the laptop flickered across the glass, catching the golden bubbles that rose lazily to the surface. Jeremy sat there, his eyes fixed on the screen.

He looked different now, but still undeniably handsome. His once chaotic energy had calmed, and his dark brown hair, freshly shaved on the sides and neatly trimmed on top, framed his chiseled face. His jawline was sharp, and his lips curled into a soft smile as he watched Carter on the screen. His deep-set eyes, though tired, sparkled with a mix of pride and longing.

Jeremy took a slow sip of the champagne, his gaze never leaving the screen. As Carter’s smile brightened in the video, so did Jeremy’s. A quiet, satisfied chuckle escaped his lips as he set the glass down on the bedside table, leaning back into the pillows.

There was a warmth in his chest, a sense of pride and happiness swelling within him as he watched the boy who had once stood uncertain, now standing tall, accepting an award.

Jeremy’s smile brightened just a little more as he watched Carter speak to the camera, addressing him directly. It was a bittersweet moment—Carter’s words, filled with hope and affection, reached him even across the distance. Jeremy knew he couldn’t go back just yet, but seeing Carter standing there, doing so well, gave him a deep sense of satisfaction.

He took a deep breath, eyes twinkling as he whispered softly to himself, “Well done, Carter.”

***

In the grand hall of Jeremy's mansion, Laura’s voice echoed through the space as she shouted into the phone, her tone sharp and filled with fury. "It’s your job to find my son!" she yelled, her face flushed with anger.

“I don’t want your excuses anymore!”

On the other end of the line, the voice of the man she was speaking to tried to calm her, though it was clear he was becoming frustrated too.

‘Ma'am, we're doing everything we can,’ he explained, his voice tense. ‘But it seems Jeremy doesn’t want to be found. Every lead we’ve had has turned into a dead end. He’s a smart man, and he knows we're looking for him. Maybe... maybe it’s best to let him come back on his own.’

Laura’s chest rose and fell with each breath, the fury boiling inside her. With a sharp scream of frustration, she hurled the phone to the ground, watching it shatter.

“No!” she screamed. “I will not wait! He belongs with his family!”

Dexter rushed over to her, his appearance strikingly different from before. His hair was freshly styled, shorter on the sides and slicked back on top, giving him a sleek and modern look. He looked sharper, sexier even, with his tailored black shirt clinging to his muscular form. His brow furrowed as he grabbed hold Laura’s arms, trying to steady her.

“Aunt Laura, calm down,” Dexter said softly but firmly, pulling her close. His voice was gentle but laced with concern.

“Calm down?” Laura snapped, glaring at him with wide, tear-filled eyes. “I am not going to calm down as long as my son isn’t here! I’ve lost him for eight months, Dexter! Eight months! I don’t know where he is, what he’s doing... I can’t take it anymore!”

“I know, Aunt,” Dexter replied, his grip on her tightening as he tried to console her. “But this won’t help. Getting angry won’t bring him back faster.”

Laura let out a frustrated groan, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. But as she turned her gaze toward the door, her expression shifted from pain to rage. Jeff had just walked in, looking happy, with Oliver in his arms. Behind him was Carter, proudly holding his award, his face beaming with joy. The sight of them together, especially Carter's smile, made Laura’s blood boil.

Without thinking, Laura charged toward them, her face twisted with fury.

“How can you smile after everything you've done to destroy this family?” she screamed, her voice shaking with accusation.

Carter froze in his tracks, his smile vanishing instantly. He looked at Laura, his expression pained and confused. “Aunt, I…”

“Because of you,” she cut him off, her voice filled with venom. “Because of you, Jeremy has been gone for eight months! Eight months, Carter! Away from his children, away from me, his mother! He never left his boys for a single day, but now he’s gone for months, and it’s all your fault!”

Carter's lips tightened, but he forced a smile for Oliver’s sake as he gently set the boy down.

“Go find Andrew and play with him, okay?” he whispered.

Oliver nodded, his innocent eyes unaware of the tension in the room, and ran off.

As soon as Oliver was out of earshot, Carter’s face hardened.

“I’m sorry,” he said calmly, his voice steady but firm. “But I had no part in Jeremy’s decision to leave. He left because he needed to fix himself. He…”

“I don’t care what he needed to do!” Laura snapped, stepping closer to him, her voice rising in desperation. “I want my son back, Carter! That’s all I care about!”

Before Carter could respond, Dexter chimed in, his eyes cold as he stared at Carter.

“You must be happy now, huh?” he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “Running Jeremy’s company, stealing awards like you’ve actually earned them.”

Jeff stepped forward, his expression darkening as he glared at Dexter.

“Carter didn’t steal anything. He got that award because he’s worked hard and taken the company to heights you could only dream of.”

Dexter clenched his jaw, his fists tightening at his sides. “Watch your mouth, Jeff.”

Carter stepped between them, raising his hands in a calming gesture.

“There’s no need to argue because of me,” he said softly, trying to defuse the situation. “I didn’t ask for any of this. I’ve only ever wanted to help Jeremy and I think that he took that decision because he thought it was for the best. I miss him too, more than you know.”

Dexter’s voice rang out, sharp and bitter.

“Stop pretending, Carter!” he yelled, stepping closer. “Jeremy was never your friend, and he sure as hell wasn’t your associate. You two were never that close.”

Carter’s face remained calm, though a flicker of frustration passed through his eyes. Dexter chuckled bitterly, folding his arms over his chest.

“Jeremy left the company in your hands because you took advantage of him. You guilt-tripped him into it. You manipulated him when he was at his lowest.”

Carter’s eyes narrowed slightly, but his voice was steady.

“Dexter, how could I manipulate a man like Jeremy? He was hard-headed, stubborn, and never let anyone push him around. If you know Jeremy at all, you'd know that much.” He paused, his expression softening with resolve. “But regardless of what you think, I’ve done my best to keep the company running. And it’s thriving.”

Laura, who had been seething silently beside Dexter, snapped.

“Are we supposed to applaud you for chasing my son away?” She took a step forward, her finger pointing accusingly at Carter. “You listen to me, and you listen well. I don’t care what you’ve done for the company. You will stay away from our family and our home!” Her voice rose in fury. “You are nothing but a curse to us, Carter. Stay far away. I don’t want to see your face anywhere near here again.”

Dexter’s lips curled into a smug smile as he watched the color drain from Carter’s face, clearly relishing the moment. His arms remained crossed, but his eyes sparkled with enjoyment as Laura’s words landed like blows.

Carter took a deep breath, his expression stoic, though the weight of the situation was bearing down on him. Without another word, he turned on his heel and walked out of the mansion, each step heavy with the realization that he had, once again, become the cause of an argument.

As he stepped outside into the cool evening air, Carter’s thoughts churned. Was it true? Had he really caused Jeremy’s disappearance? He was so lost in his own thoughts that he barely heard the voice calling his name.

“Carter! Wait!”

He turned slowly, finding Jeff hurrying after him. Jeff caught up, slightly out of breath, his expression apologetic.

“I’m sorry,” Jeff said, his voice soft. “I’m sorry for the way my mom spoke to you.”

Carter forced a small smile, though it didn’t reach his eyes.

“What if she’s right, Jeff? What if this is my fault? I told Jeremy he needed to move on, and then he... left. And now his boys are without their father.”

Jeff shook his head, his voice firm.

“Jeremy’s an adult, Carter. He made his own decision. He’ll come back home. You didn’t drive him away.”

Carter nodded slightly, though doubt still lingered in his heart. He looked at Jeff, his face serious. “Maybe it’s time I did something to make sure Jeremy comes back home to his family.”

Jeff raised an eyebrow, suspicion flickering in his eyes.

“What do you mean by that? What are you planning, Carter?”

Carter sighed, taking a deep breath as he looked out into the distance. =

“I need you to take your entire family somewhere—somewhere they can relax for several hours. No phone calls, no access to their phones.”

Jeff’s suspicion deepened. “Carter, what are you planning?”

Carter placed a hand on Jeff’s shoulder, meeting his gaze.

“Trust me, Jeff. Jeremy has been gone for too long. Andrew’s upset with me. He misses his father, and... I have to do something. It might put me in trouble, but I have to try.”

Jeff’s eyes filled with worry. “You’re not going to do anything crazy, are you?”

Carter let out a soft chuckle.

“I hope not. But I need you to trust me on this. Just take your family somewhere they can relax. I’ll handle the rest.”

Jeff stared at him, conflicted. After a moment, he nodded slowly, though uncertainty still lingered in his expression.

“Alright, Carter. I’ll do it. But I hope you know what you’re doing. I don’t want you to get into trouble.”

Carter smiled faintly, nodding in agreement. “I hope so too.”

As he turned to leave, Carter took a deep breath, determination settling in his chest.

“It’s time,” he whispered to himself. “It’s time Jeremy came back home.”

What was he planning?

***

Jeff arrived at the luxurious spa with Oliver and Andrew, one twin on each side, their small hands gripping his as they skipped excitedly. The spa's interior radiated opulence—marble floors gleamed under the soft, ambient lighting, and the walls were adorned with large, breathtaking artworks. Expensive chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a golden glow over the reception area, which boasted not only spa treatments but a range of activities—bowling lanes, a state-of-the-art theater, a playroom for kids, and even a small indoor golf course.

As they approached the entrance, two lovely women, dressed in chic uniforms, greeted them with warm smiles and bright eyes.

“Welcome! We're so happy to have you here! Please follow us,” one of them said, her voice filled with genuine excitement.

But Laura’s face remained tight, her lips pressed into a thin line. She frowned deeply, her chest rising with tension.

“I don’t like this,” she muttered. “I shouldn’t be relaxing here, not while Jeremy is still out there. I should be searching for him, not wasting time.”

Jeff smiled softly as he walked over to his mother, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

“Mom, I know you’re stressed, we all are,” he began gently. “Things haven’t been easy for any of us lately, and that’s why I brought us here. To relax, to forget for just a moment.”

Laura shook her head, her voice shaky with determination.

“I appreciate your effort, Jeff, but I can’t stay here. I need to find my son.”

The smile faded from Jeff’s face, and his expression turned serious, almost fearful. His voice trembled slightly as he responded.

“Fine, Mom. Go if you want to. It’s not like I matter to you anyway, right? You only care about one son.”

Laura’s eyes widened in shock, her lips parting as if his words had struck her physically.

“Jeff... how could you say that? Why would you say something like that?”

Jeff let out a deep sigh, his frustration finally boiling over.

“Because, Mom, have you even asked about me these past months? Have you ever called to check if I’m okay? Or if I’ve eaten? Or if I’m even home? No. It’s always been about Jeremy, Jeremy, Jeremy.” His voice grew strained with emotion. “I’ve been trying to bring us together as a family, but even now, I’m still not good enough.”

Laura gasped, moving closer to her son, her eyes wide with disbelief.

“Jeff, you’re my baby. You know that. How can you even think…”

“Jeremy will come back, Mom,” Jeff interrupted softly, his eyes pleading with her. “But that doesn’t mean we have to put our entire lives on hold. I miss you, Mom. I just want to spend some time with you.”

Laura’s expression softened, her face becoming glassy with unshed tears. A small, tender smile spread across her face.

“Oh, Jeff,” she whispered. “I’ll do whatever you ask. I promise.”

Jeff’s face lit up with relief and he leaned in to kiss her cheek.

“I love you, Mom,” he whispered. Then, gently but firmly, he added, “Hand me your phone. We don’t need anything disturbing us or making us worry.”

Laura hesitated for only a moment before nodding, handing over her phone, which Jeff promptly switched off. He then directed his gaze toward Dexter, who was eyeing the surroundings with a casual disinterest.

When Dexter saw Jeff’s hand outstretched toward him, he furrowed his brow.

“Why do you want my phone?”

Jeff smiled, trying to keep things light.

“Bonding time. No distractions. It’s just us today.”

Dexter’s eyes narrowed in suspicion, but with a shrug, he handed over his phone.

“Fine, but you better not lose it.”

“I won’t,” Jeff reassured him, his smile widening. “Now, go on inside. I’ll make sure everything’s set up for us.”

The two women led Laura, Dexter, and the twins inside, their cheerful chatter disappearing down the hall. Once they were out of sight, Jeff exhaled deeply, finally letting the tension drain from his shoulders. He quickly pulled out his phone and dialed Carter’s number, his fingers moving swiftly over the screen.

It only took a few rings before Carter’s voice came through, sounding both nervous and determined.

“Jeff?”

“I managed to distract them for a while,” Jeff said, glancing around to ensure no one was listening. “But I don’t know how long it’ll last. Whatever you’re doing, you need to do it fast, Carter. And make sure we don’t get into any trouble.”

On the other end of the line, Carter’s voice wavered.

“I’ll do it as fast as I can. Just... just make sure they stay put for as long as possible.”

“I’ll do my best. Good luck, Carter.” Jeff ended the call with a sigh, feeling the weight of what they were about to do pressing down on him.

Meanwhile, in his apartment, Carter was pacing nervously. His eyes flickered to the photo of his father on the wall. It was an old picture, one where his father stood tall and proud, full of confidence.

Carter stared at it, whispering under his breath, “Dad... give me your blessings for this.”

His fingers trembled slightly as he moved toward his laptop, his heart thundering in his chest.

With a shaky hand, he pressed the ‘Enter’ key. For a moment, the room seemed to hold its breath, the air thick with tension. The screen blinked, and Carter felt his pulse quicken. His heart raced as the reality of what he had just done sank in.

This was it. There was no turning back now. Whatever happened next would either bring Jeremy home or put Carter in more trouble than he could ever imagine.

To be continued…