Echoes of the Heart - 24. Chapter 24: Carter and Jeremy are united but no one is happy with this.

The soothing music in the mansion screeched to a halt as Laura’s trembling voice cut through the air like a whip.

“A what?” she yelled, her hands shaking as her horrified gaze darted between Jeremy and Carter. The vibrant glow she had moments ago was completely gone, replaced by raw disbelief. “Jeremy, you have to be joking. If this is a joke, it’s the most expensive one you’ve ever made.”

Jeremy squared his shoulders, his expression unreadable. His voice was calm but firm as he replied,

“Mother, you know I wouldn’t joke about something like this. You’ve known from the start that I meant to marry Carter.”

Tears pooled in Laura’s eyes as she stumbled back, her hand gripping the edge of a nearby table to steady herself.

Her lips quivered as she whispered, “What have you done, Jeremy?” Then, her voice cracked into a yell. “What have you done?! You married the same boy—the same boy—who caused your father’s death?”

Gasps erupted from the crowd that had gathered, heads turning toward the commotion. The once-lively chatter of the party turned into hushed murmurs as curious onlookers craned their necks to catch a glimpse of the scene.

Jeremy’s voice carried an icy edge as he replied,

“With all due respect, Mother, Carter wasn’t even present that day, and he didn’t know anything about it until recently. I’m not going to let something so… trivial ruin our relationship. Not anymore. I’ve been angry for years, but anger doesn’t solve anything.”

Laura clutched her chest, her breaths coming in shallow gasps. Her eyes turned to Carter, blazing with raw emotion.

“Are you happy now, Carter?” she spat, her voice trembling with both anger and pain. “All I’ve ever wanted is for my family to forget the pain, to finally find some happiness. But as usual, you had to ruin everything. What else do you want from me? Can’t you see I’m just trying to protect my family?”

Before Carter could respond, a loud, anguished “WHAT?!” echoed across the room. Heavy, hurried footsteps followed, and Dexter appeared at the edge of the crowd. His eyes were wide with disbelief, his chest heaving as if he had just run a marathon. He froze in place, his gaze bouncing between Jeremy, Carter, and Laura. His face slowly contorted, disbelief giving way to raw pain.

“No…” Dexter chuckled bitterly, but the sound was hollow, almost deranged. Tears spilled from his eyes, burning like icy shards. He shook his head violently as if trying to shake away the reality before him. “No, no, no. This isn’t true. Jeremy, tell me this isn’t true. You can’t have married him,” he said, his voice cracking. “Not after we agreed—we agreed—that tonight was supposed to be our engagement.”

Jeremy sighed heavily, rubbing his temples as though Dexter’s theatrics were physically exhausting him.

Laura furiously wiped away her tears, her voice sharp and trembling as she pointed at Carter.

“Get out of here!” she screamed. Her hands reached forward, ready to shove him out the door herself, but Jeremy stepped in front of her, shielding Carter with his broad frame.

“Don’t touch him,” Jeremy warned, his voice low and venomous. His eyes locked onto hers with an intensity that made her heart fracture further. “I’m not joking, Mother. And if you try, we’re going to have problems.”

Laura gasped, her hands falling limply to her sides. She stared at her son in disbelief, her heart breaking into a thousand pieces.

“Are you… are you speaking to me like this?” she whispered, her voice trembling. “Your mother? And all because of a… a murderer?”

Jeremy’s patience snapped like a taut string.

“My husband!” he barked, the room falling utterly silent at the force of his words. “And also the son-in-law of this house.”

The weight of his declaration hit Laura like a sledgehammer, leaving her staggered.

“After everything we spoke about yesterday?” she asked softly, her voice barely audible. “You said you’d bring a son-in-law into this family.”

“I did,” Jeremy replied coldly. “I never agreed to marry anyone else. I told you it would be Carter.”

Before Laura could respond, Dexter let out a blood-curdling scream that reverberated throughout the grand hall.

“NO!” he shouted, his voice shaking as much as his body. “You can’t do this to me, Jeremy! You can’t! You don’t just use me and throw me away like a used rug.”

All eyes turned to Dexter as he laughed bitterly, wiping the tears streaking his face. His lips curled into a twisted grin, and his gaze flickered to Carter with venom.

“Tell me something, Carter. Did Jeremy tell you what happened between us last night? Hmm?” His tone was mocking, dripping with sarcasm. “The kisses, the passion, the way we made love? It was like we were meant for each other.” His chuckle was sharp, designed to cut.

Carter’s expression didn’t falter. Instead, a small grin formed on his lips as he stared Dexter down.

“Actually,” Carter said smoothly, stepping closer, “Jeremy did tell me. He told me how he almost made a mistake. But you know why he stopped?” Carter leaned in, his grin widening. “Because he loves me. Despite everything—and despite people like you—love wins. Every time.”

Dexter’s fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. His entire body trembled with rage as Carter’s words struck like daggers.

“People like me?” Dexter spat venomously.

“Yes,” Carter replied, his voice calm but cutting. “I know exactly who you are, Dexter. I know you better than you think I do. And I know that people like you will always try to take advantage of situations, twisting the narrative to suit yourself. But you failed.”

“Jeremy loves me!” Dexter roared, his voice breaking.

“No, Dexter,” Jeremy interjected, his voice loud and firm, silencing the room. “I don’t love you. I never did then, and I don’t now.”

Dexter’s breath hitched as if Jeremy had punched him in the gut. He staggered backward, clutching his chest as the weight of Jeremy’s words crushed him. Tears streamed down his face, his pain raw and unfiltered for all to see. His knees buckled slightly, but he forced himself to remain standing, his pride the only thing holding him up.

Jeremy, however, didn’t spare him another glance. Instead, he turned to Carter, his hand reaching out to intertwine with his husband’s. The crowd erupted into murmurs, the scene before them something out of a scandalous tale. But Jeremy didn’t care.

Jeremy held Carter’s hand tightly, his jaw set, his patience clearly waning. He turned to Carter, his voice softening for the first time in the entire conversation.

“Let’s go inside,” he said, gesturing toward the grand mansion. But before they could take even a single step, Laura’s voice tore through the air, sharp and unyielding.

“Over my dead body!” she screamed, her voice trembling with rage and heartbreak. “That murderer will not set foot in this house. Ever.”

Jeremy stopped, turning his gaze back to his mother. His face was calm, almost eerily so, but there was an unmistakable edge of steel in his voice.

“It’s not your decision to make, Mother,” he said firmly. “You’re not the one married to him. You’re not the one who’s going to spend the rest of your life with him. I am.”

Laura’s breath hitched as though he had struck her. Her lips trembled, and her hands clenched into fists by her sides, but before she could retort, Dexter’s voice rang out, loud and defiant.

“She’s right!” Dexter shouted, stepping forward, his face contorted with fury and desperation. “I won’t allow him to enter this house either!”

Jeremy’s lips curved into a bitter laugh, the sound cold and mocking.

“You?” he asked, turning his piercing gaze onto Dexter. “And who are you, exactly? What makes you think you have any say in this? Outsiders,” he added, his voice laced with disdain, “have no business meddling in matters that don’t concern them.”

The words hit Dexter like a sledgehammer. His heart clenched painfully in his chest, and for a moment, it felt like the ground beneath him had been ripped away. He staggered slightly, his eyes wide with disbelief.

“Outsider?” he whispered, his voice shaking. “You’re calling me an outsider now?”

Pain swirled in Dexter’s eyes as he stepped closer to Jeremy, his hands trembling at his sides.

“I’ve been there for you through everything,” he said, his voice cracking with emotion. “Through thick and thin, Jeremy. When you were broken, when you thought the world had turned its back on you, I was there. Me. Not him. Me.” He pointed a shaking finger at Carter, his voice rising. “I gave you everything, Jeremy. Everything I had to give. And you’re standing here, calling me an outsider? Like I mean nothing to you?”

Jeremy’s expression remained unyielding, his face a mask of indifference. He took a step closer to Dexter, his voice dropping to a low, icy tone that cut deeper than any shout could.

“Yes, Dexter. You were there for me. You were there when I needed someone. But do you want to know the truth?” He paused, his eyes locking onto Dexter’s, his gaze piercing. “You were never there because you cared about me. You were there because you wanted something from me.”

Dexter’s breath hitched, his face draining of color. He opened his mouth to respond, but Jeremy held up a hand, cutting him off.

“I don’t know how else to make this clear to you, so I’m just going to say it outright. I never loved you.”

Dexter froze, his mouth parting slightly in shock, but Jeremy wasn’t done.

“Not in the way you’ve convinced yourself I did,” Jeremy continued, his voice unwavering. “You keep bringing up everything you’ve done for me, every moment you’ve been by my side, but did it ever occur to you that I never asked for any of it? That I never wanted you to throw yourself at me the way you did? That I never wanted anything more from you than friendship? But wait… I made it clear to you several times that I didn’t want anything.”

Dexter opened his mouth to speak, but Jeremy didn’t give him the chance. His voice grew sharper, more pointed, like a blade cutting through the tension.

“I never saw you as anything more than a friend, Dexter. A friend. And even that… even that has felt more like an obligation than a choice sometimes.”

Dexter’s eyes widened, tears shimmering as he visibly recoiled, as if Jeremy had slapped him.

“Yes, you were there for me,” Jeremy said, his tone now harsh with the frustration he had clearly bottled up for too long. “You were always there. Hovering. Pushing yourself into my life. Always reminding me of how much you’d done for me, as if I owed you something. And I tried to be grateful, Dexter. I really did. I tried to see past it, to focus on the good. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t force myself to feel something that just wasn’t there.”

Jeremy took a step closer, his voice dropping but losing none of its intensity.

“You talk about love like it’s some kind of currency—like if you pour enough of it onto someone, they’re supposed to give it back to you in return. But love doesn’t work that way. You can’t demand it. You can’t manipulate someone into giving it to you. And that’s exactly what you’ve been doing all these years. Trying to force something that was never real.”

Dexter was trembling now, his fists clenching and unclenching at his sides.

“You… you’re lying,” he whispered, his voice hoarse. “You’re just saying this because of him.” He pointed a shaking finger at Carter. “If it weren’t for him, you’d see…”

Jeremy laughed bitterly, cutting him off.

“Carter has nothing to do with this. Don’t you dare try to blame him for the way I feel—or, more accurately, the way I don’t feel about you.” His eyes hardened as he stared at Dexter. “Even if Carter wasn’t in the picture, even if he had never come into my life, I still wouldn’t love you. I never have, Dexter. And I never will.”

The words hit Dexter like a freight train, and his knees nearly buckled under the weight of them. He looked at Jeremy with wide, tear-filled eyes, his breath coming in short, ragged gasps.

Jeremy’s expression softened slightly, though his resolve didn’t waver.

“I never saw you as anything more than a friend,” he said quietly. “And even that… even that is something I’m not sure I can offer anymore. Not after everything you’ve done. You threw yourself at me, time and time again, knowing how I felt—or rather, how I didn’t feel. You tried to guilt me, manipulate me, trap me. But love, Dexter? Love doesn’t look like that. It doesn’t feel like that. And it never will.”

Dexter’s lip quivered, and his hands trembled as he took a shaky step back. He looked at Jeremy, his entire being unraveling as the weight of those words sank in.

“But… I… I thought…” His voice cracked, and he let out a shaky, bitter laugh, tears streaming down his face. “I thought I meant something to you.”

“You did,” Jeremy said softly, but there was no warmth in his tone, only finality. “As a friend. But that’s all you ever were to me. And it’s all you’ll ever be.”

Dexter stared at him, his heart shattered into pieces. He wanted to scream, to argue, to beg, but the look in Jeremy’s eyes told him that nothing he said would change anything. The truth was laid bare, and it was more than he could bear.

Jeremy didn’t wait for Dexter to respond. He turned back to Carter, his expression softening as he gently tugged on his husband’s hand.

“Let’s go,” he said quietly.

Behind them, Dexter stood frozen, his eyes glassy and unseeing. His chest heaved as silent tears streamed down his face. He looked at Jeremy, the man he had convinced himself he loved, the man he had built his life around, and for the first time, he realized just how deeply he had lost. And the pain of that realization was more than he could bear.

***

Jeremy pushed the door open with a sheepish grin, his eyes meeting Carter’s as he stepped inside.

“Welcome,” he murmured softly, his voice almost teasing, but the nervousness was evident in his tone. Carter mirrored his expression, a small, sheepish smile curling his lips as he stepped inside.

Jeremy’s gaze swept over the room, and his grin faltered slightly when he saw the disarray. Clothes were scattered on the floor, books piled haphazardly on the desk, and the bed unmade, the blankets half-draped onto the carpet.

He scratched the back of his neck, muttering, “Uh, give me a second.”

Carter stood still, watching as Jeremy busied himself tidying up the room. He picked up the clothes and folded them hastily, stacked the books neatly, and yanked the beddings into place with quick, precise movements. It was almost endearing how flustered he seemed, his usual composed demeanor unraveling.

Once the room looked somewhat presentable, Jeremy turned back to Carter, his hands resting on his hips.

“There,” he said with a soft chuckle. “Now you’re officially welcome to our room.” His voice dipped into something gentler as he added, “Our room… it sounds nice, doesn’t it?”

Carter tilted his head slightly, a shy smile playing on his lips.

“It does,” he murmured, his voice barely audible.

Jeremy took a deep breath and stepped closer, his heart pounding in his chest. He reached out, his hands gently taking Carter’s. His fingers brushed softly against Carter’s palms as he pulled him closer. Then, with a tenderness that made Carter’s breath hitch, Jeremy cupped his face, brushing stray strands of hair back from his forehead.

For a moment, Jeremy just stared at him, his gaze soft and full of emotion.

“You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting for this,” he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. “To stand here, looking at you, knowing that you’re finally mine.” His lips curved into a small, bittersweet smile. “It feels like… I’ve spent a lifetime chasing this moment. And now that it’s here, I can’t believe it.”

Carter swallowed hard, his nerves tying his stomach into knots. His eyes lifted to meet Jeremy’s, and he found himself unable to look away. There was something so raw, so vulnerable, in the way Jeremy looked at him, and it made his own heart ache.

Jeremy chuckled softly, glancing toward the open balcony. The silver light of the moon poured into the room, casting a glow that felt almost magical.

“All these years,” he mused, “I’ve been staring at the moon from that balcony, wondering if happiness would ever find me again. And now…” His eyes returned to Carter’s, warm and full of affection. “Now the moon is in my room.”

Carter’s lips quivered at the words, and he felt his heart race. His chest tightened, and he realized his breath was coming faster. Before he could process what was happening, Jeremy’s face was inching closer to his, their breaths mingling in the stillness of the room. His heart pounded wildly as their foreheads touched, and for a moment, it felt as though the world had fallen away, leaving just the two of them.

But just as their lips were about to meet, Jeremy tilted his head and pressed a soft kiss to Carter’s cheek instead. The warmth of his lips lingered, and Carter’s eyes fluttered shut at the gentle intimacy of the gesture.

Pulling back slightly, Jeremy took Carter’s hands into his again.

“I know I tied you to this marriage,” he began softly, his thumb brushing over Carter’s knuckles. “But taking it to the next level? That’s your call. You’ll decide when you’re ready. No rush, no pressure. I’m okay with waiting.”

Carter stared at him, his throat tightening with emotion. He could feel the sincerity in Jeremy’s words, the care in his actions, and it made him feel something he hadn’t expected—safe. He nodded, unable to find the words to express what he was feeling.

Jeremy smiled, his expression softening further.

“I meant what I said, Carter. I want us to be happy, no matter what happens after this week. And I hope…” He paused, leaning forward to press a gentle kiss to Carter’s lips, a kiss that was brief but filled with promise. “…I hope we will be.”

Pulling back, Jeremy winked, his playful side peeking through.

“This is one thing I’m not asking your permission for, though. I need to take advantage of having such a hot husband, after all.” He grinned, his teasing tone lightening the atmosphere.

Carter let out a soft laugh, shaking his head. Jeremy’s smile grew wider, but then it softened.

“Take some rest,” he said gently. “I need to go talk to my mother. I won’t be long.”

Carter nodded, his smile faint but genuine. Jeremy squeezed his hands one last time before letting go and leaving the room, the door clicking softly shut behind him.

Carter stood there for a moment, his mind swirling with everything that had just happened. Slowly, he moved to the bed and sat down, his hands resting in his lap. He took a deep breath, his thoughts a mixture of hope and uncertainty, as the moonlight bathed the room in its silvery glow.

***

Laura sat slumped on the couch, clutching a glass of amber liquor as though it was the last thread tethering her to sanity. Her hair was disheveled, strands sticking to her damp forehead, and her usually elegant dress hung loose, rumpled and stained from her restless movements. Her blood-red eyes, swollen from crying, stared vacantly at the wall. The liquor swirled in her trembling hand as she brought it to her lips, the burn on her throat dulling the ache in her chest.

She was about to take another sip when it happened—her name, spoken coldly, cut through the silence of her room.

“Mom.”

Her breath hitched, her hand freezing mid-air. Dread pooled in her stomach, a sensation she never thought she'd associate with his voice. Slowly, almost robotically, she raised her head, and there he stood—Jeremy, her son, her pride and her torment—standing in the doorway.

For a split second, silence hung between them like a taut wire ready to snap. Then Laura’s grip tightened on the glass, her anger surging. Without a word, she hurled it at him, her hands trembling with fury. Jeremy sidestepped quickly, the glass shattering against the wall behind him, shards scattering across the floor. The sound of the breaking glass reverberated through the room like a scream.

“How dare you?” Laura roared, staggering to her feet, her voice cracking with the weight of her anguish. “What are you doing in my room?” Her chest heaved as she pointed a shaky finger at him. “Did you come to insult me again? To mock me in my own space?”

Jeremy sighed, his hands rising defensively.

“Mother…”

“DON’T call me that!” she shrieked, her voice splintering into a pitch of raw pain. Her hands balled into fists, and tears brimmed in her eyes as she shook her head violently. “You ungrateful boy. After everything I’ve done for you—this is how you repay me? Marrying an enemy?” Her voice broke as a bitter laugh escaped her lips, tinged with despair. “I always told everyone my son could do no wrong. I defended you against their judgments, their whispers. And now, you’ve embarrassed me in front of everyone. You’ve made us the talk of the town!”

Jeremy took a step forward, his voice steady but soft.

“Mother, Carter is not to blame for this…”

“DON’T SAY HIS NAME!” she screamed, her voice shattering like the glass she’d thrown. She advanced on him, her steps unsteady but fueled by rage. Her hands struck out, hitting his chest and arms with weak, frantic blows, as though her anger could be expelled through her touch. “Get out of my room! GET OUT!”

Jeremy caught her wrists gently, holding her hands to stop her from hitting him further.

“Mother, please, listen to me. I know you’re angry. I know this isn’t what you wanted. But I didn’t have a choice—I love Carter too much. I couldn’t let what happened in the past dictate the rest of my life.”

Laura froze for a moment, her body trembling under his grip. Then, as though his words had flipped a switch, her fury reignited. She wrenched her hands free and shoved him back, her eyes burning with scorn.

“Love?” she spat, her voice dripping with venom. “What do you know about love? Love is sacrifice! Families sacrifice for each other!”

Her voice cracked as she pointed a trembling finger at him.

“I sacrificed everything for you—my happiness, my freedom, my life! And I asked you for one simple thing. One thing! To put this family first. And you couldn’t even do that. Instead, you married the very person who ruined this family!”

Jeremy tried to step closer, his voice laced with desperation.

“Mother, you don’t understand…”

“I don’t want to understand!” she yelled, cutting him off. “You’ve destroyed this family, Jeremy. You’ve destroyed me. And for what? For someone who doesn’t belong here? For someone who will never be a part of this family?”

Her words hit Jeremy like a physical blow, but he held his ground.

“Carter is a part of this family now. And I’m not asking you to accept him today or tomorrow, but…”

“Get. Out.” Her voice dropped to a low, trembling whisper, her body shaking with the force of her suppressed rage. “Get out of my room before I do something I’ll regret.”

Jeremy hesitated for a moment, his heart aching as he looked at her tear-streaked face. But the finality in her tone left no room for argument. With a deep sigh, he turned and walked toward the door.

As soon as the door clicked shut behind him, Laura crumpled to the floor, clutching her chest as guttural sobs tore from her throat. She cried like a wounded child, her grief spilling out in waves as the weight of her pain consumed her. The shards of broken glass glittered around her like the pieces of her shattered heart.

***

Carter opened the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water, his fingers trembling as he unscrewed the cap. The icy liquid slid down his throat, soothing his nerves after the whirlwind of emotions that had engulfed him. But his mind remained restless. How was he going to prove his father’s innocence? The weight of the task bore down on him, and he pressed the bottle to his forehead, the cold offering temporary relief.

Just as he took another sip, he heard footsteps behind him, sharp and purposeful. Turning around, his heart skipped a beat when someone gripped his arm painfully, yanking him back.

“How dare you come back into Jeremy’s life and ruin everything I’ve worked for!” Dexter seethed, his breath hot and ragged against Carter’s face.

Carter stared into Dexter’s crazed eyes, their gazes locking in a tense, fiery exchange. Both their breaths came in harsh gasps, the room suddenly feeling stifling.

“Everything was going so well,” Dexter snarled, his voice laced with venom. “I was this close to marrying Jeremy. And now you’ve waltzed in and ruined it all!”

He tightened his grip on Carter’s arm, making him wince, then grabbed his jaw with his free hand, forcing Carter to meet his furious glare.

“You have no idea what I’m capable of when things are stolen from me. But you’re about to learn.”

Carter’s eyes narrowed, an unexpected intensity flashing in them. Without hesitation, he moved his hand swiftly, gripping Dexter’s wrist with such force that Dexter gasped, his face contorting in pain.

“You think your threats scare me?” Carter’s voice was low, steady, and dangerously calm. He shoved Dexter’s hand away, the sudden motion making Dexter stumble back slightly. “Jeremy’s love already gives me strength. Whatever you throw at me, I’ll throw it back at you a hundred times harder.”

Dexter’s jaw tightened, his breathing erratic as he tried to regain control, but Carter stepped closer, his grip firm on Dexter’s hand as he pulled him forward, their faces inches apart.

“With you in this house,” Carter continued, his voice cold and sharp, “I can only imagine what Ethan’s life must have been like. The threats, the manipulation... If he didn’t die from cancer, I’d have every reason to believe his death wasn’t natural. Living with two snakes like you and Laura would’ve killed anyone.”

Dexter’s face flushed red with fury.

“Watch your mouth, Carter,” he hissed, his voice trembling with rage. “And your back.”

Carter smirked, his grip tightening further, making Dexter wince.

“No, Dexter. You watch your back. Don’t mistake my meekness for weakness, because I’m deadlier than I look.” He shoved Dexter’s hand down and took a step closer. “And just so we’re clear, being married to Jeremy makes me the owner of this house. I have every right to throw you out.”

The look on Dexter’s face shifted from rage to disbelief, then to something darker. His teeth clenched, his nostrils flared, and his eyes burned with the need to retaliate.

Before Dexter could respond, Carter released his grip and shoved him hard. Dexter stumbled back, his back slamming into the kitchen counter with a loud thud. He winced in pain, his face contorting as he clutched his side. His jaw trembled, and for a moment, he looked like he might cry, but the fury in his eyes quickly overtook the pain.

Dexter’s breaths came in harsh, uneven gasps as he turned his head, his wild eyes darting around the kitchen. They landed on a block of knives, their blades gleaming under the fluorescent light. His trembling hands flexed as he moved toward them, his mind racing with dangerous ideas.

Carter turned, ready to leave, but he barely took a step when the sharp sound of glass breaking made him spin around. His heart sank as he found Dexter standing there, his chest heaving, a murderous gleam in his eyes.

Dexter raised a knife in his trembling hand, his face a mask of rage and desperation.

His lips curled into a snarl as he screamed, “I’m going to kill you!”

With a scream of his own, Dexter lunged forward, but Carter’s reflexes were sharp. He sidestepped quickly, grabbing Dexter’s wrist mid-air and twisting it with practiced precision. Dexter howled in pain, the knife clattering to the floor as Carter drove a punch into his abdomen, making him double over with a pained groan.

Before Dexter could recover, Carter slammed his hand onto the table, pinning him down briefly before delivering a sharp backhanded slap. The force sent Dexter stumbling backward, his balance faltering until he fell face-first onto the cold floor.

A deafening scream escaped Dexter’s lips as his body hit the ground. The sound echoed through the kitchen, chilling Carter to the bone.

Jeremy rushed in, his eyes wide with panic.

“What’s going on here?” he demanded, his voice frantic as he rushed to Carter. He cupped Carter’s face, his hands trembling. “Are you alright?”

Carter nodded slowly, his eyes still fixed on Dexter, who was writhing on the floor, clutching his face and moaning in pain.

“He tried to hurt me with a knife,” Carter murmured, his voice heavy with disbelief.

Jeremy’s expression darkened. His gaze snapped to Dexter, who was slowly getting to his feet, his left hand covering his eye. Blood seeped between his fingers, staining his pale skin. A deep cut above and below his eye made Carter’s stomach churn, but he remained still, his face unreadable.

Jeremy’s voice was low and menacing as he stepped toward Dexter.

“You’ve gone too far this time. I want you out of this house before I do something I’ll regret.”

Dexter staggered to his feet, his shoulders slumping as blood dripped onto the floor. His face was a twisted mix of pain and anger, but he said nothing. With one last murderous glare at Carter, he stumbled out of the kitchen, leaving a trail of blood behind him.

Jeremy turned back to Carter, pulling him into a tight embrace.

“I’m so sorry,” he whispered, his voice trembling with guilt. He held Carter close, his arms wrapping protectively around him.

Carter leaned into Jeremy’s chest, his hands clutching his husband’s shirt. But his mind raced with worry. This wasn’t over—not by a long shot.

To be continued…