Echoes of the Heart - 16. Chapter 16: The past comes knocking. But who will open the door?

Carter stirred in his sleep, warmth spreading across his face as something tightened around his waist. Slowly, he blinked his eyes open, adjusting to the dim light filtering through the curtains. His breath hitched when he saw Jeremy's face only inches away from his, peaceful and serene in slumber. The man’s arm was draped protectively around Carter’s waist, holding him close, and his soft snoring sent warm puffs of air against Carter’s cheek.

Jeremy looked breathtakingly handsome, even in his sleep. His tousled hair fell across his forehead, and his slightly parted lips looked inviting, tempting. Carter’s heart swelled as he gazed at the man beside him. For the first time, waking up with Jeremy so close didn’t scare or unnerve him. Instead, he felt a profound happiness—contentment.

A small smile tugged at Carter’s lips as he took a moment to study Jeremy's face, every curve and angle. The way his eyelashes rested against his cheeks, the faint freckles that dotted the bridge of his nose—he was perfect.

Suddenly, Jeremy’s voice broke through the silence, low and husky from sleep.

“Am I sexy?”

Carter blinked in surprise as Jeremy’s eyes fluttered open, his mischievous grin appearing as he winked at him. A wave of heat rushed to Carter’s cheeks.

“You—how long have you been awake?” he stammered, trying to hide his embarrassment.

Jeremy chuckled, his deep voice sending shivers down Carter’s spine.

“Long enough to know someone very sexy has been staring at me.”

Carter giggled, his blush deepening.

“I had to,” he admitted, brushing a strand of hair from Jeremy’s face. “You look so cute when you’re asleep.”

Jeremy raised an eyebrow, feigning offense.

“So, what you’re saying is, I’m not cute when I’m awake?”

Carter laughed, his hands cupping Jeremy’s face as he leaned closer.

“No, you’re even cuter when you’re awake,” he murmured, his voice soft and affectionate.

Jeremy’s grin widened, and he tilted his head slightly. “Then where’s my morning kiss?” he teased, his lips already puckering slightly in anticipation.

Carter’s smile widened as he leaned in, their lips meeting in a slow, passionate kiss. Jeremy’s hand slid up from Carter’s waist to the back of his neck, pulling him closer as their bodies pressed together. The kiss deepened, their movements perfectly in sync, Jeremy’s warmth enveloping Carter entirely. His fingers caressed Carter’s cheek as if he wanted to savor every second, leaving the boy breathless.

After what felt like hours, Carter pulled back slightly, his breath ragged.

“I need to go home,” he whispered, though his lips were still dangerously close to Jeremy’s.

Jeremy groaned, planting a quick kiss on Carter’s lips before pouting dramatically.

“Why? Can’t you stay a little longer?”

Carter chuckled, shaking his head as he pushed Jeremy’s messy hair out of his face.

“I haven’t told my aunt anything,” he explained. “And your mom will definitely think we... you know... did something.”

Jeremy smirked, his eyes glinting with mischief.

“Let them think. We’re engaged, aren’t we? Even if we did do something, it’s allowed.”

Carter’s blush deepened as he raised an eyebrow.

“Jeremy, it’s only been one day since your mom accepted me being in this house. I don’t want to take advantage of that.”

Jeremy groaned like a child denied his favorite candy, burying his face in Carter’s neck.

“Fine,” he muttered, his breath warm against Carter’s skin. “But you owe me a bath.” He pulled back, winking at Carter playfully.

Carter gasped, his face heating up. “Jeremy!”

“What?” Jeremy teased, leaning back against the pillows with a smug grin. “I wanted to spend the entire day with you.”

Carter’s expression softened, his smile returning.

“I want that too. But I need to go home, freshen up, and stop by the office to handle a few things. After that, I’ll be all yours for the rest of the day.”

Jeremy pouted but eventually nodded, albeit reluctantly. Carter leaned in, grasping the back of his head, and kissed him deeply, their lips moving together in perfect harmony. It was a kiss full of promise and love, leaving them both breathless.

As they finally broke apart, Jeremy sighed, watching Carter with a lopsided smile.

“Hurry back,” he murmured.

Carter smiled, pressing his forehead against Jeremy’s. “I will.”

Carter smiled as he rose from the bed, stretching. There was just something about that day, like nothing could wipe his smile away. Everything was falling into place and he loved it so much.

***

Carter stood in his office, his shoulders squared, his head held high, and his hair tied neatly in a sleek ponytail that complemented his tailored suit. The pride in his eyes was unmistakable as he straightened the stack of freshly signed contracts on the desk, his lips curving into a soft smile. The deal was done, another success to add to his growing list of accomplishments. But as the sound of footsteps reached his ears, his smile faded slightly, expecting to see his assistant returning to discuss the next agenda.

He turned, the confident greeting already forming on his lips, but the words died in his throat. His smile faltered and disappeared altogether when he locked eyes with Dexter. The man stood there, his face twisted in a grotesque mixture of hatred, anger, and betrayal.

“Dexter?” Carter’s voice was firm, yet laced with confusion. “What are you doing here?”

Dexter took a step forward, his finger trembling as he pointed at Carter, his words laced with venom.

“I should’ve stopped you the moment you walked into this office. I should’ve made sure you stayed far away from Jeremy and this family. But I didn’t—and now you’re ruining everything.”

Carter frowned, taking a step closer. His voice was steady but sharp as a blade.

“You know, Dexter, for someone who seems to have it all, you’re such a sad, bitter man. At first, I admired you. You were handsome, successful, and had a family that adored you. But now… now I see you for what you are. Empty. Loveless. Pathetic.”

Dexter’s chest heaved as Carter’s words hit him like a punch to the gut. His fists clenched at his sides, his breathing erratic as he glared daggers at Carter.

“You have no power here, Dexter,” Carter continued, his voice firm, unwavering. “Jeremy and I? We’re adults. We love each other, and we’re getting married whether you like it or not. You can’t control him, and you sure as hell can’t control me. So why waste your time chasing after a man who doesn’t even love you?”

Dexter’s voice broke into a roar.

“Jeremy loves me too! It’s you! You’ve pushed yourself into his life, into his heart!” He stepped closer, his voice dropping into a low, menacing growl. “Call off the wedding, Carter. If you know what’s good for you.”

Carter didn’t flinch. Instead, he tilted his head, his lips curling into a humorless smirk.

“What are you going to do? Send another snake after me?”

Dexter’s eyes widened slightly, his heart pounding violently against his ribcage. His breath hitched, and for the first time, his confidence faltered.

“What… what are you talking about?” he stammered, his voice shaky.

“Don’t play dumb,” Carter snapped, his eyes narrowing into slits. “I know you sent that snake to hurt me. Jeremy just got in the way.”

“That’s insane!” Dexter snarled, attempting to mask his fear. “I would never hurt Jeremy!”

“No,” Carter said, stepping closer, his voice cold and calculated. “Not Jeremy. Me. You were targeting me, and Jeremy paid the price for your obsession.”

Dexter opened his mouth to argue, but Carter didn’t give him the chance.

“You’ve only ever seen the side of me that’s willing to forgive, to keep the peace. But make no mistake, Dexter. Threaten Jeremy again, and you’ll see a side of me you won’t survive.” His voice was low, a growl that sent chills down Dexter’s spine.

Dexter’s face contorted with rage, his jaw tightening.

“You think you scare me?”

Carter leaned in, his tone soft yet deadly.

“You should be scared. Now, get out of my office before I call security.”

Dexter’s fists trembled with rage, but he knew he was cornered.

“This isn’t over, Carter,” he spat before storming out of the room, slamming the door with a resounding bang.

The silence that followed was deafening. Carter let out a deep sigh, rubbing his forehead as if trying to massage away the tension. He walked back to his desk, setting the contracts in order, when a knock at the door startled him.

“Come in,” Carter called, his voice calmer but still edged with irritation.

His assistant entered, smiling nervously.

“There’s someone here to see you.”

Carter nodded. “Send them in.”

Moments later, a man walked in, holding a small, unassuming gray box. Carter straightened, his professional demeanor returning as he greeted the man.

“Good afternoon,” the man began. “I have a package for you. It’s from Mrs. Elena.”

Carter froze. His heart pounded violently in his chest, his breath catching.

“Elena?” he whispered, the name slipping from his lips like a ghost. His eyes widened, and a shiver ran down his spine. “There… there must be some mistake. Elena passed away weeks ago.”

The man nodded solemnly.

“Yes, I know. My condolences. But Mrs. Elena left instructions for us to deliver this box, should anything happen to her. It contains some personal belongings and a diary she wanted Mr. Jeremy to have.”

Carter’s throat went dry as he stared at the box. His fingers twitched at his sides, but he forced himself to remain composed.

“Jeremy isn’t here right now,” he said after a moment. “He’s unwell. But I’m his fiancé—I can take it to him.”

The man nodded, setting the box on the table and handing Carter a clipboard to sign. Carter scribbled his name quickly, his hands trembling slightly. Once the man left, the office plunged into silence.

Carter turned to the box, his heart hammering in his chest. His eyes locked onto it, as if it might suddenly spring to life. A diary? he thought, his mind racing. What could Elena have written? What secrets does this box hold?

For several moments, he simply stared, his thoughts a chaotic mess. Then, taking a deep breath, he reached out, his fingertips grazing the cool surface of the box. Whatever was inside, he knew it was going to change something, especially with Jeremy.

***

Carter's grip tightened on the gray box as he made his way through the lavish halls of Jeremy's mansion. His heart raced with each step, the weight of the package feeling heavier than it should have. He knew it wasn't the physical weight—it was the significance of its contents and what it might mean for Jeremy.

The ornate details of the walls, the soft glow of chandeliers, and the muffled sounds of laughter from somewhere in the house felt distant to him, overshadowed by his swirling thoughts. His eyes focused on the path ahead, yet his mind was consumed with the dilemma. He knew this box was going to change everything.

Suddenly, Carter collided with something—or rather, someone. The impact jolted him out of his spiraling thoughts, and the box almost slipped from his grasp. He steadied it quickly, muttering a quick apology before looking up. His heart skipped a beat when his gaze met Laura's sharp eyes.

“Aunt Laura,” he stammered, forcing a sheepish smile onto his face.

Laura stood with her arms crossed, a frown tugging at her lips. Her presence was imposing, her gaze sharp as it swept over him and the box in his hands.

“Carter, why on earth are you walking around without watching where you're going?” she asked, her tone curt and brimming with impatience.

Carter rubbed the back of his neck, his smile faltering.

“I’m so sorry. I just… I guess I’ve got a lot on my mind.” He glanced nervously at the box. “Jeremy… where is he?”

Laura’s frown deepened as her eyes flicked down to the gray box, then back to Carter’s face.

“He’s in his room with the kids. But…” Her voice trailed off, her expression hardening as suspicion crept into her gaze. “What’s that you’re holding?”

“Oh, this?” Carter glanced at the box again, adjusting his grip on it. “It’s for Jeremy. Someone had it delivered to the office.”

Laura’s gaze narrowed. “From who?”

“Elena.”

The moment the name left Carter’s lips, Laura’s entire demeanor changed. Her body stiffened, and her face paled as if all the blood had drained from it. Her eyes widened, and she seemed to momentarily forget to breathe.

“Elena?” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “What… how is that possible?”

Carter frowned, uneasy at her reaction.

“Apparently, she had kept this somewhere, and when she… well, when she passed, they decided to deliver it to her next of kin. That’s all I know.”

Laura’s lips parted slightly as if to speak, but no words came out. Instead, she stared at the box, her expression a mixture of fear and anguish. Finally, she shook her head and reached out, gripping Carter’s arm tightly. Her hand trembled against his skin.

“Carter,” she said, her voice low and urgent. “You can’t show that box to Jeremy. You can’t give it to him.”

Carter blinked, bewildered. “What? But it’s addressed to him. I—”

“I know,” she interrupted, her grip on his arm tightening. “I know it’s for him, but you don’t understand. Jeremy has only just started to heal. It hasn’t been that long since he put the past behind him. Opening that box… it could bring back memories that will tear him apart all over again. That box can be like Pandora’s box.”

Her voice cracked as she spoke, and Carter’s confusion deepened.

“What do you mean?” he asked, his voice hesitant.

Laura took a deep breath, trying to steady herself, but her fear was evident in her trembling hands and the quiver in her voice.

“Elena and her son… they weren’t as perfect as they seemed,” she said carefully. “What if there’s something in that box that shocks him? Something that reminds him of the pain he’s worked so hard to overcome?”

Carter tilted his head, his brow furrowed. “But… I mean, it’s from Elena. Shouldn’t he have the right to see it?”

Laura stepped closer, her desperation clear as she clasped her hands together.

“I’m begging you, Carter,” she said, her voice breaking. “As a mother who has already seen her son shattered once, I’m asking you to make sure he never opens that box. Please. I have accepted you into my son’s life despite how difficult it was for me, now all I am asking is for you to please listen to my wish.”

Carter stood frozen, caught between Laura’s desperate plea and his own instinct to be truthful to Jeremy.

“I don’t understand,” he murmured, looking down at the box. “Why don’t you just take it if you’re so worried?”

Laura hesitated, then shook her head.

“No,” she said firmly. “I’ll trust you with this. If I take it, he’ll know. But if you…” She trailed off, her eyes softening as she placed a hand on his shoulder. “He trusts you, Carter. You can do this. You have to.”

Carter’s stomach churned with unease. “And what if I don’t?” he asked quietly, meeting her gaze.

Laura’s expression hardened, though her voice remained calm. “If you care about him as much as you say you do, you won’t risk putting him through this. You’ve seen how happy he is now. Do you really want to be the one to take that away?”

Carter’s heart sank. He felt like he was standing on the edge of a cliff, with no good options in sight. Slowly, he nodded.

Laura smiled faintly, her relief palpable. “Thank you,” she said, giving his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “I know you’ll do the right thing.”

With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Carter standing in the hallway, the gray box still clutched in his hands. He stared at it for a long moment, his thoughts racing. He knew Jeremy deserved to know the truth about the box. But at the same time, Laura’s words echoed in his mind.

He sighed deeply, his grip tightening on the box as he turned toward the stairs. Whatever decision he made, he had to make sure it was the right one. He looked up where the sound of Jeremy and the kids was coming from and he felt stuck. What was he going to do?

***

Carter emerged from the bathroom, a soft towel draped over his head as he dried his damp hair. His muscles ached from the long day, but the smile on his face was radiant and genuine. Dinner with his aunt had been delightful—her excitement about his engagement to Jeremy had been contagious. She’d clasped his hands, her eyes sparkling with joy, and told him he’d make the most handsome groom. The memory of her words warmed him, and a small, sheepish grin lingered on his lips.

But as Carter’s gaze drifted across the room, it landed on the box lying on his bed. His smile faltered, then faded entirely. Laura’s pleading words echoed in his head, tightening the knot of guilt in his chest.

‘Please, Carter. Don’t let Jeremy get that box.’

He’d spent the whole afternoon with Jeremy, laughing and enjoying each other’s company, and the lie he’d told to cover for Laura weighed on him like lead. Carter rubbed the back of his neck, sighing deeply. He couldn’t stand keeping secrets from Jeremy—yet, when Laura had come to him, he hadn’t been able to say no.

With a reluctant shake of his head, Carter tossed the towel onto the chair and walked to the bed. The box seemed heavier than it should have as he picked it up, his fingers brushing against the worn edges.

“I’m sorry, Jeremy,” he murmured, voice barely audible. “I hope you’ll understand why I’m doing this. One day, I’ll tell you… I promise.”

Resolute, he turned toward his wardrobe, intending to stash the box out of sight. But as he moved, his foot caught on the edge of the rug. He stumbled, almost losing his balance. The box slipped from his grip, and the lid flew off with a loud snap.

A small thud followed.

Carter froze, heart skipping a beat. Slowly, his eyes dropped to the floor—and there it was. A brown leather-bound book, slightly scuffed with age. His gaze locked on the name etched in bold block letters on the cover:

ETHAN.

Time seemed to stop. Carter’s breathing hitched, and his hands began to tremble. He set the box down carefully and crouched, reaching for the diary with hesitant fingers. The moment his hand touched it, a strange sensation coursed through him—like a jolt of electricity shooting up his arm. He gasped, his breath catching in his throat as an inexplicable gust of air seemed to sweep across his face, though the windows were firmly shut.

“Ethan’s… diary,” he whispered, his voice shaky with disbelief.

He cradled the diary in his hands, straightening slowly. His legs felt like jelly as he stumbled to the chair by the bed and sank into it, gripping the diary as though it might vanish if he loosened his hold. His mind raced.

‘Jeremy doesn’t know about this… Does he?’

His thoughts spiraled further. If Elena had this diary all along, why hadn’t she given it to Jeremy? It was his right to have it. Whatever secrets Ethan had written down, surely they belonged to Jeremy—to help him make sense of the brother he’d lost.

Yet here it was, in Carter’s hands.

A strange pull gripped him, an urge he couldn’t explain. His fingers trembled as he moved to flip open the cover. But then he stopped, drawing his hand back as though the diary had burned him.

“No,” he murmured to himself. “I can’t. It’s Ethan’s… privacy. I shouldn’t invade that.”

He exhaled shakily and moved to close the diary. But then he froze again, unable to ignore the sensation tugging at his chest. There was something about this diary—something alive.

“If I open it,” he muttered, “there’s no going back. I’ll have to live with whatever I find inside. But…” He bit his lip, his curiosity warring with his conscience.

‘What if Laura was right? What if Ethan had secrets, things he never told Jeremy? Could this diary explain why Elena kept it hidden all these years?’

The questions were maddening. Carter shut his eyes, trying to still the whirlwind in his mind. When he opened them again, resolve mingled with trepidation. Slowly, his trembling finger moved to the edge of the page.

With a deep breath, he flipped it open.

And the world around him seemed to fade into silence.

Carter’s breath hitched in his throat as his eyes scanned the first sentence on the first page of Ethan’s diary. His heart felt like it had stopped altogether. The neat, looping handwriting seemed to leap off the page, drawing him deeper into the past.

“Dear diary,” he read silently, the words heavy in his mind. “You obviously know that my name is Ethan, and talking to you is my oldest habit. So, hi again.”

Carter swallowed hard, his mouth dry as he processed those simple, almost light-hearted words. It was strange, this moment—like stepping into someone else’s life, someone who was no longer here. His trembling fingers turned to the next page, and the tone of the writing changed almost immediately, vibrant and full of life.

“Dear diary,” the entry began, Ethan’s excitement practically radiating off the page. “You won’t believe it, but I finally did it. I married him. I married my best friend, my first crush, the love of my life. I’m officially Jeremy’s husband!”

The words seemed to leap at Carter, wrapping around him like a vice. He felt an ache building in his chest as he read on, flipping to another sentence.

“It feels so surreal. I keep looking at the ring on my finger, wondering if this is some kind of dream I’ll wake up from. But it’s real. He’s mine, and I’m his. And it was perfect, diary. The vows, the laughter, the way he looked at me like I was the only person in the room. It was everything I could’ve ever asked for and more.”

Carter’s hand trembled as he held the diary, his breath shallow. Ethan’s words were alive with joy, and it felt almost intrusive to read them. Yet he couldn’t stop himself, as though the diary had cast a spell on him.

Jeremy’s name hung in the air around him, and Carter couldn’t help but picture him Jeremy. To see him described this way, through the eyes of someone who had loved him so deeply, was both beautiful and unbearable.

Carter’s lips parted as he whispered to himself, “Ethan was so happy…”

Carter flipped the page with trembling hands, drawn deeper into Ethan’s world. The next pages were filled with vibrant details about their honeymoon, their new life together, and the joy that Ethan had felt in those early days with Jeremy. Ethan’s words painted a picture of perfect love: long walks on sandy beaches, quiet mornings spent in each other’s arms, and nights full of laughter and shared secrets.

But as he read, Carter couldn’t help but smile. The words were so full of love, so pure, that they made his heart ache. How could love have been so beautiful? he thought, feeling a mix of awe and sorrow. The diary seemed to capture a love so deep, so whole, that Carter felt as though he were trespassing in a life that wasn’t his.

He was lost in Ethan’s world, moving about the room, pacing back and forth as he devoured each page. His smile never wavered, his heart swelling with the warmth and tenderness that oozed from the pages. The love between Ethan and Jeremy was palpable, and Carter couldn’t tear himself away.

But then, he came to a couple of missing pages—empty, as though they had been ripped out in a hurry. Carter felt a pang in his chest. Something had been lost, something that was no longer a part of this story. He flipped the page, eager to continue, only to be stopped by a sudden shift in the tone.

Ethan’s writing changed, darker, more conflicted.

“I feel like the worst person ever.”

Carter’s heart skipped a beat as he read the words, feeling the weight of them.

“I see Jeremy smiling, calling me his world, wishing nothing but the best life for me, but... I’m hiding something from him. Something I can’t tell him, and it kills me every day.”

The words hit Carter like a punch to the gut. His smile faltered, then faded completely. What was Ethan talking about? What secret could he be keeping from Jeremy, especially after everything they’d been through?

Ethan’s next words brought Carter’s thoughts to a screeching halt.

“I watched Jeremy—my husband—so broken, so hurt, so on the verge of giving up after his father was murdered, along with his younger brother. It hurt me, too. I wanted to fix it, to take his pain away. And I did. With my love and my support, I brought some light back into his life.”

Carter’s stomach twisted. The words Ethan had written felt like a confession, a weight on his shoulders that he hadn’t been prepared for. He could feel the pain in every letter, the sadness in every line. And then, Ethan’s words darkened further.

“But now… now I find out that I might have contributed to the greatest pain he ever experienced, and it kills me. Every day, he kisses me, calls me his world, makes love to me, and always seems so happy. But here I am, lying to the person I call my world. I hope he can forgive me one day, but I’m scared to tell him.”

Carter's breath caught in his throat. He was so absorbed in the diary, so lost in Ethan’s emotions, that he hadn’t noticed the tears pooling in his eyes. The sorrow in Ethan’s words bled into him, making his own heart ache for the man who had been caught between his love for Jeremy and the guilt that seemed to eat him alive.

“Mom tells me it isn’t my fault,” Ethan’s words continued. “That I have no connection to it. But I can’t shake off the guilt. I know the truth, and I can’t tell my husband. After all… my father killed his father. And I know he’ll never forgive me for lying to him. Worse, I have a brother, and I don’t even know how to find him.”

Carter’s hands were shaking now, the diary feeling like a weight that he couldn’t escape. He closed the book slowly, the finality of the words still echoing in his head. His mind raced as he tried to process what he had just read.

‘Ethan’s father killed Jeremy’s father?’

Carter’s mouth went dry as the words repeated in his mind. How? And then, the other question—Jeremy had never mentioned a younger brother. Never.

He felt sick, his stomach twisting painfully. Ethan had been hiding something far darker than anyone could have imagined. He’d kept this secret from Jeremy, from everyone, and now Carter knew.

He stared at the closed diary in his hands, his face pale as the reality of the situation hit him. What was he supposed to do with this knowledge? What could he do? Ethan had lied to Jeremy, and now Carter knew the truth.

What was he going to do?