Silent Heartbeats - 13. Chapter 13: Jeremy is losing his mind. Will he finally say what happened?

The heavy wooden doors of Jeremy's mansion swung open with a loud crash, the sound echoing through the grand hall. Carter stormed in, his face twisted in a mask of fury. His brows were furrowed, eyes blazing with anger, his jaw set tightly as he breathed heavily, his entire body tense with rage.

“Jeremy Rivers!” Carter shouted, his voice booming through the mansion. “Get out here! Now!”

He continued to yell, his voice echoing off the marble walls as he marched further into the hall.

“Jeremy! Come out, you coward!”

As Carter's shouts filled the air, Laura and Dexter appeared from one of the side corridors, both looking upset. Laura's face was a mixture of anger and concern, while Dexter's expression was one of irritation.

“What on earth are you doing here?” Laura demanded, her voice sharp with frustration. “What more drama are you planning to bring into this house?”

But Carter didn't hold back. He whipped his head toward her, his eyes burning with defiance. “You think this is drama?” he snapped back rudely. “This is your son’s mess, and I’m here to clean it up!”

Before Laura and Dexter could process his response, a loud, heavy footfall echoed from the staircase. Jeremy appeared at the top, his face a storm of rage, his body tense with barely contained anger. His eyes were dark, and his fists were clenched at his sides as he descended the stairs quickly.

Seeing Jeremy, Carter's anger boiled over. He rushed toward him, his steps swift and purposeful.

“How dare you!” Carter shouted, his voice trembling with fury.

Without another word, he swung his hand back and slapped Jeremy across the face with a force that echoed through the hall.

Jeremy stumbled back, more stunned by the audacity than the pain. His cheek reddened immediately, the sharp sting radiating across his skin.

***

A day ago…

*

Jeremy's fist trembled in the air, every muscle in his body quivering with a barely contained fury. With a guttural groan, he redirected his fist from Carter to the wall beside him, slamming it so hard that the entire room seemed to shudder with the impact. Carter flinched at the sound, his eyes wide with shock as he watched Jeremy's knuckles crack against the plaster, leaving a deep dent in the wall.

Tears welled up in Carter's eyes, and one slipped down his cheek as he stared at Jeremy, trying to comprehend the man before him. He had never seen Jeremy like this, so consumed by anger and pain that he seemed barely human.

His heart ached with confusion and fear as he whispered, “What is going on?”

Jeremy groaned, his voice rough and strained.

“Get out of here, Carter. Get out now,” he growled, his words dripping with venom. He turned away from Carter, his shoulders hunched, as if even standing upright was a struggle.

But Carter couldn't just leave. “Is this who you want to be, Jeremy?” he shouted, his voice filled with a desperate urgency. “Someone whose anger is so blinding that you can't see what it's doing to you and your family?”

Jeremy stopped in his tracks, his back still to Carter, his fists clenching and unclenching at his sides. The silence in the room was thick, charged with tension and the unspoken words between them.

“You’re hurting them, Jeremy,” Carter continued, his voice rising as he stepped forward, his fear momentarily forgotten. “The people who love you, especially your sons. You need to get help…”

Jeremy snapped around, his face contorted with rage. He raised a trembling finger, pointing it directly at Carter.

“You have no right to tell me what I need to do!” he roared, his voice shaking with fury. “We have no relationship whatsoever! None!”

He advanced on Carter, his movements slow and menacing, like a predator stalking its prey. Carter instinctively took a step back, his heart racing with fear. The man before him was not the Jeremy he knew—this was someone else entirely, someone whose anger was a force of nature, dangerous and unpredictable.

“We are not related,” Jeremy hissed, his voice low and deadly. “We are not friends, and we are not colleagues. So stay in your place, Carter. Stay out of my business.”

Carter inhaled sharply, his breath catching in his throat as Jeremy’s warnings hit him like a slap. He felt his heart pound painfully against his ribcage, fear coursing through his veins.

Jeremy's voice rose again, filled with a venomous intensity. “I’m warning you, Carter. Stay away from me. Stay away from everything that concerns me!” His eyes burned with a dark, hateful fire as he stepped even closer to Carter.

Before Carter could react, Jeremy grabbed his arm with a brutal force, his fingers digging painfully into his flesh. Carter winced, his face contorting in pain as he looked up into Jeremy's eyes, his heart feeling like it was being pierced by the sheer hatred he saw there.

“I hate you,” Jeremy spat, his voice trembling with emotion. “I hate you so much... more than I've ever hated anyone before.” His grip tightened, making Carter gasp in pain, his body trembling under the intensity of Jeremy’s grip.

With a final, furious snarl, Jeremy shoved Carter away from him, releasing his arm with a forceful push that sent him sprawling to the floor. Carter landed with a thud, his body jolting with the impact. He looked up at Jeremy, his eyes wide with shock and hurt, his heart aching with a pain that went far deeper than the bruises forming on his skin.

Jeremy stood over him, his chest heaving with each ragged breath, his face a mask of rage and pain. For a moment, he seemed on the verge of saying something more, but then he turned abruptly and stormed out of the room, leaving Carter lying on the floor, staring up at the ceiling with tears streaming down his face.

Carter lay on the floor, his body trembling as he tried to compose himself. Soft sobs escaped his lips, his breath hitching as he struggled to hold back the tears. His eyes darted around the room, taking in the shattered remnants of Jeremy's outburst. His gaze landed on one of the broken pictures scattered across the floor. It was a photograph of Ethan, his face captured in a joyful smile that seemed to radiate warmth and light.

Slowly, Carter crawled toward the picture, his movements tentative and deliberate. His fingers reached out, trembling slightly, and he gently picked up the broken frame. As he touched it, a shiver ran down his spine, a sensation so sudden and intense that it felt almost like a comforting embrace. He held the picture closer, staring at Ethan's smiling face.

“This is the second time I've seen your pictures,” Carter whispered, his voice barely audible, “and in each of them, you’re always smiling. You seem like such a cheerful person.” He sniffled, wiping away a tear that had escaped down his cheek. “So why is Jeremy the opposite? Why is he so cold and always so angry?” His voice cracked with emotion, the pain evident in his words. “I guess your death really left him broken... and it’s breaking him up more than anyone can see.”

He sniveled again, his fingers gently tracing over the image of Ethan's face. “I wish I had known you, known what kind of person you were and what your life was like with Jeremy,” he murmured, his voice filled with longing and sadness.

Suddenly, a voice from behind him broke the heavy silence, startling him. “Theirs was a relationship made in heaven.”

Carter jumped, turning quickly to see Elena standing in the doorway. She was staring at the mess Jeremy had made, her expression one of deep sorrow and pain. Her eyes were red and puffy, and it was clear that she had been crying too.

Elena slowly walked into the room, her gaze sweeping over the shattered pieces of Jeremy's life scattered on the floor.

“A lot has changed in Jeremy since Ethan's death,” she continued, her voice soft but steady. “Ethan was a light, not just in Jeremy’s life but in everyone’s life who knew him.”

She paused, her eyes locking onto Carter’s, searching for something in his gaze. “My son, Ethan,” she said, her voice filled with a mix of pride and sorrow, “instead of caring about himself, he cared about everyone else. He was always thinking about others, always putting their needs before his own. It was just the kind of person he was.”

Carter listened, his heart heavy with the weight of her words. He could see the pain etched into Elena’s features, the deep lines of grief that seemed to have settled permanently into her face. He could feel the love she had for Ethan, a love that was still so strong despite the years that had passed since his death.

Elena took a deep breath, her hand gently resting on Carter's shoulder.

“I've never seen Jeremy act like this,” she said softly, her eyes scanning the room filled with broken pieces of Ethan's memory. “To the point where he had to cause damage to Ethan's things... This isn’t like him at all.”

Carter stared at her, feeling the weight of her gaze pressing down on him. It was as if she were silently pleading for answers that he didn’t have. He sighed heavily, rubbing away the tears that clung stubbornly to his cheeks.

“I didn’t mean to cause all this trouble, Elena,” he murmured, his voice filled with remorse. “I swear, I didn’t do anything… I can’t even remember what happened.”

Elena’s expression softened, and she squeezed his shoulder reassuringly. “Maybe something happened that triggered Jeremy to act this way,” she suggested. “You need to try to remember, Carter.”

Carter closed his eyes, straining to recall the hazy images that flitted in and out of his mind. Blurry visions of him and Jeremy drinking at the bar began to form, but beyond that, everything was a blur. He opened his eyes, looking at Elena with a helpless expression. “The only thing I remember is seeing Jeremy at the bar,” he admitted, frustration lacing his tone. “I can’t remember anything after that. If I said or did anything… only Jeremy would know.”

He clasped his hands together, a pleading look in his eyes. “Please, Elena, forgive me. I truly don’t know what happened, but I’m sorry.”

Elena sighed, her hand still resting on his shoulder. “It’s not your fault, Carter,” she assured him gently. “You just got dragged into this mess. Maybe when Jeremy calms down and comes to his senses, he’ll tell us what really happened.”

Carter nodded, a single tear escaping down his cheek as he rubbed it away. “I’m sorry again,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “I should go now.”

Elena nodded, giving him a small, sympathetic smile. “Take it easy, Carter. Give it time.”

Carter gave a small nod in return, turning to leave the room. As he made his way down the stairs, he felt lost in thought, his mind replaying the events of the day over and over again. He couldn’t shake the feeling of guilt that gnawed at him, even though he knew Elena was right—he hadn’t meant for any of this to happen.

As he reached the bottom of the stairs, his eyes landed on Andrew standing alone with tears streaming down his cheeks. The sight of the boy’s sorrow made Carter’s heart ache even more. He forced a small, gentle smile and approached him, trying to offer some comfort.

“Hey, Andrew,” Carter called softly, his voice tender and soothing.

But before he could say anything else, Andrew’s face twisted with anger. He hit Carter with his small fists, shoving him back slightly.

“I hate you!” Andrew cried, his voice shaking with emotion.

Carter stood frozen, stunned by Andrew's words. The boy's declaration of hatred cut deep, leaving Carter speechless. His mouth trembled as he tried to find the right words, his voice shaky.

“Andrew, I... I'm so sorry,” he whispered, his eyes filled with remorse and confusion.

But Andrew's face remained scrunched in anger, his small fists clenched at his sides.

“You're the reason Daddy shouted at me,” he accused, his voice breaking. “You're trying to steal him away!”

Carter's eyes widened, shock registering on his face. He gasped, searching Andrew's face for any sign that this was a misunderstanding.

“Andrew, where did you hear that?” he asked, his voice filled with a mix of panic and desperation. “That's not true, I promise.”

But the boy shook his head vehemently, tears streaming down his cheeks.

“Daddy’s different now… and it’s all because of you,” Andrew yelled, his voice full of conviction and hurt. He shouted, “I hate you!” one more time before turning and running down the hallway, leaving Carter standing there, stunned and lost.

Carter remained rooted to the spot, his heart aching as Andrew's words echoed in his mind. He felt a deep sense of despair, unsure of how everything had gone so wrong. His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps. He turned slowly, his eyes widening in fear and dread as he saw Laura standing there, her face twisted in anger and hatred. Beside her, Dexter held Andrew tightly in his arms, rubbing the boy's back soothingly.

Dexter’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction, feeling a sense of accomplishment at having successfully planted a seed of doubt in Andrew's heart. Seeing the boy's reaction and the pain on Carter's face, he couldn’t help but silently credit himself for this small victory.

Laura’s eyes were filled with venom as she glared at Carter.

“You must be proud of yourself,” she spat, her voice dripping with contempt. “You've caused nothing but pain to this family and driven Jeremy to the brink of madness.” She raised a finger, pointing it menacingly at him. “If anything happens to my son, I swear, I will make sure you suffer for it. I will wipe you from the surface of the earth with a snap of my fingers,” she threatened, her voice low and dangerous.

Carter felt a shiver run down his spine at her words, the weight of her threat sinking in. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out.

Laura’s face twisted even more with anger, and she yelled, “Get the hell out of here!”

With a heavy heart and a feeling of helplessness, Carter turned and began to walk away, his steps slow and heavy. He felt the weight of their hatred bearing down on him, crushing him with every step he took. He glanced back one last time, seeing Dexter smirking smugly while Laura continued to glare at him, her eyes burning with fury. Andrew clung to Dexter, still sobbing softly into his shoulder.

***

Jeremy was in his home gym, running on the treadmill. His face was set in a grim expression, his eyes red from a lack of sleep and the haunting memories that had been torturing him. He stared ahead blankly, the images of the past flashing before his eyes—memories he had tried so hard to bury, but that now clawed their way back to the surface, each one a fresh wound.

His breathing was harsh and uneven as he tried to focus on the treadmill's rhythmic hum beneath him. He increased the speed, feeling the belt move faster, matching the frenetic pace of his thoughts. Sweat poured down his face, stinging his eyes, but he didn't blink. He needed the pain, the burn in his legs as he pushed himself harder and harder.

The speed of the treadmill continued to climb. Jeremy’s legs burned with every step, his lungs aching with the effort, but he didn’t stop. He ran faster, his feet pounding against the belt, each stride more frantic than the last. His heart raced wildly in his chest, the blood pounding in his ears.

But suddenly, the treadmill jerked, and Jeremy lost his footing. He was thrown back violently, hitting the floor with a hard thud. His head snapped back, colliding with the floor, sending a jolt of pain through his skull. The world blurred around him as he lay there, breathless and stunned, the intense burn in his body now replaced by a throbbing pain that pulsed through his entire being.

Jeremy lay on the cold floor, his chest heaving with each ragged breath. The throbbing in his head was relentless, a pulsing pain that seemed to beat in time with his racing heart. Strangely, he found a twisted solace in the pounding ache, almost welcoming the distraction from the turmoil raging inside him.

But then, through the haze of pain and confusion, he heard it—a soft, familiar voice that made his heart clench.

“You work so hard, Jeremy,” the voice said gently, filled with warmth and affection.

Jeremy's eyes shot open, and he blinked rapidly, trying to clear his blurred vision. Before him, as if conjured from the depths of his memories, was Ethan, walking toward him with a tender smile on his face. But this wasn't the present Ethan; it was an image from long ago, a memory so vivid it felt like reality.

Ethan's smile was wide and genuine, his eyes twinkling with admiration. But Jeremy realized with a pang of sorrow that the smile wasn't meant for him now—it was directed at his younger self, the man he used to be before everything fell apart. He watched, frozen in place, as the memory played out before him like a scene in a movie.

Ethan approached the younger Jeremy, who was panting heavily, drenched in sweat from a grueling treadmill run. Ethan draped a soft, white towel around his neck, his touch gentle and caring.

“You did great,” he murmured, leaning in to plant a soft kiss on Jeremy's lips, a kiss filled with love and pride.

Jeremy’s breath hitched in his throat, his chest tightening as he watched the scene unfold. He remembered it well—the way Ethan’s lips felt against his, the way his heart soared every time Ethan looked at him with that unguarded affection.

But the sweetness of the memory quickly soured. Jeremy’s harsh breaths grew more erratic as a flood of conflicting emotions overwhelmed him—love, pain, loss, rage. A burning anger flared up inside him, a desperate, aching fury that he couldn’t contain.

With a guttural scream, Jeremy pushed himself off the floor, his body shaking with rage.

“No! No more!” he yelled, his voice cracking with anguish.

His eyes were wild, his movements frantic as he began to throw anything within reach. He hurled dumbbells against the wall, flung water bottles across the room, each impact sending a satisfying crash echoing through the space.

The images of Ethan, so beautiful and kind, only intensified with each furious throw, becoming clearer, more vivid, more tormenting. Ethan’s laugh, his gentle words, his touch—they all assaulted Jeremy’s senses, amplifying the agony tearing through his soul. Those images used to bring him so much but now, all they did was torture him so much because of something stupid.

Jeremy’s vision blurred with tears of frustration and heartbreak as he continued to destroy everything around him, desperate to drown out the memories, to escape the unbearable weight of his grief. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t escape the haunting presence of Ethan, or the crushing reality of his absence.

***

The street was quiet, shrouded in the shadows of the night, illuminated only by the occasional flicker of a dim streetlamp. A black car sat parked on the corner, its engine silent, blending seamlessly into the darkness. Inside the car, Lopez sat behind the wheel, his massive hands gripping it tightly. His arms were heavily tattooed, intricate designs of skulls, snakes, and fire spiraling down to his wrists, a testament to his rough past. The tension in his body was evident, muscles bulging beneath his shirt, veins popping on his forearms as he clenched the steering wheel, lost in thought.

Suddenly, a sharp knock on the window jolted him back to reality. Lopez glanced up, eyes narrowing as he quickly rolled down the window. A man, with a sly grin plastered across his face, leaned in.

“I’ve got them,” the man said, his voice low and conspiratorial. “Every detail, including his current location.”

A slow smile spread across Lopez's face, a dark, predatory gleam in his eyes. He reached into his jacket and pulled out a thick envelope, handing it to the man. “Good work,” Lopez muttered, his voice gravelly and filled with malice.

The man took the envelope, nodded, and quickly disappeared into the night. Lopez rolled up the window, sealing himself back inside the cocoon of his car. He opened the envelope, pulling out a stack of photographs. His eyes scanned the images quickly, his grin widening with each one. There, in the photos, was Carter, exiting a building, walking down a street, completely unaware that he was being watched.

“Gotcha now,” Lopez whispered to himself, his voice dripping with menace. “It’s only a matter of time. We’re gonna be united soon.”

***

Over a year ago…

*

The hospital room was cold and sterile, the fluorescent lights casting a harsh, unforgiving glare on the white walls. Lopez barged in, his face a mask of fury. On the bed lay Carter, barely recognizable, his face bruised and battered, hooked up to various machines. An oxygen mask covered his mouth and nose, while monitors beeped softly, tracking his vitals. Lopez’s eyes darkened as he took in the sight, his fists clenching tightly, his entire body trembling with rage.

He stalked closer to the bed, his breath coming in harsh, angry bursts.

“It should have been you,” he hissed, his voice shaking with emotion. “You should have been the one to die, not Elias. Because of you, my brother is dead.”

Lopez’s words were filled with venom, each syllable a curse. He moved closer, his gaze never leaving Carter’s unconscious form. “I won’t let you live,” he growled, reaching down and yanking the oxygen mask off Carter’s face. The machines immediately began to beep frantically, alarms sounding as Carter’s oxygen levels plummeted. But Lopez didn’t care. His hands found Carter’s throat, fingers tightening like a vice.

He began to strangle him, his grip growing stronger, more desperate. There was no movement from Carter, no sign of life. Lopez's face contorted with hatred as he continued to squeeze, his own breath coming in ragged gasps. The machines blared louder, but all he could focus on was the boy beneath his hands, the boy he blamed for his brother's death.

“What are you doing? Stop!” A voice shouted from the doorway, breaking through Lopez's blind rage. A nurse rushed into the room, trying to pull Lopez away from Carter. But he was too strong, too consumed by his desire for vengeance.

“Help! Security!” the nurse screamed, her voice filled with panic.

Within moments, security guards burst into the room, grappling with Lopez, struggling to pry him off Carter. It took all their strength to pull him away, but finally, they managed to drag him out of the room, his furious shouts echoing down the corridor.

***

Present Day…

*

Lopez’s grip tightened on the photograph in his hand, crumpling it slightly. His eyes were cold, filled with a steely determination.

“I’m gonna finish what I started,” he muttered, his voice low and dangerous. “This time, nothing’s gonna stop me from giving you the slow, painful death you deserve, Carter.”

***

Jeremy stormed into his room, his face a storm cloud of fury. He stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes widening as he took in the scene before him. The room was pristine, everything in its place as if nothing had happened. The pictures that had been violently ripped from the walls the previous day were now neatly hung back up, their frames perfectly aligned. His bed was made, the sheets smoothed out without a wrinkle, and his clothes were all carefully put back into the wardrobe. The air smelled faintly of fresh laundry, a stark contrast to the chaos that had been left behind.

His fists clenched tightly at his sides, veins bulging as anger surged through him like a hot wave. "Who the hell came into my room and touched my things?!" he bellowed, his voice echoing off the walls. His eyes darted around, searching for an answer, but the house was silent.

He let out a string of curses, each one louder than the last, his frustration bubbling over into fury. Just as he was about to grab one of the picture frames and throw it across the room, a calm, steady voice cut through his rage.

“It was me,” the voice said quietly.

Jeremy spun around, his eyes blazing with anger, and saw Elena standing in the doorway. Her face was calm but tired, her eyes weary as they met his.

“What gave you the right to come in here and touch my things?” Jeremy snapped, his voice full of venom. “Who do you think you are, coming in here and messing with my stuff? How dare you!”

Elena took a deep breath, stepping closer to him, her expression soft yet firm. “I did it because I hate seeing you like this, Jeremy. I hate seeing what you’ve become. This isn’t you. Why are you acting like this?”

“Leave me alone!” Jeremy yelled, his voice cracking with raw emotion. “I’m not a child, Elena! I don’t need you to tell me how to live my life or how to handle my things!”

Elena flinched at his harsh words, the pain evident in her eyes. She stood there, shocked, her hands trembling slightly as she tried to compose herself. She took another step closer, her voice low and steady, filled with a quiet determination.

“Jeremy, I’ve known you since you were a very young boy. I’ve loved you like my own son. I was one of the few who supported your relationship with Ethan when almost everyone else was against it. What happened to that Jeremy? The one who was so full of life, so happy and cheerful?”

Jeremy couldn't meet her gaze, his eyes darting away, his jaw clenched tightly.

Elena’s voice softened, her eyes glistening with tears as she continued.

“The Jeremy I knew was kind, compassionate, always full of light. But this…this isn’t you. You’ve changed so much, and I don’t even recognize the person standing in front of me now.”

Tears began to stream down her cheeks, and she furiously wiped them away with the back of her hand.

“I love you, Jeremy, so much. And the last thing I want is to see you destroy yourself like this. I can’t stay here and watch you throw away everything good about yourself. I’d rather spend my remaining days remembering the sweet, kind boy I watched grow up. Being in this house, seeing you like this…it’s destroying the memories of Ethan, and it’s destroying you.”

Jeremy's head snapped up, his eyes locking onto Elena’s as her words finally seemed to penetrate his anger. There was a flash of something—pain, guilt, maybe even regret—in his eyes as he looked at her.

Elena straightened, taking a deep breath, her voice wavering slightly. “I’m leaving, Jeremy. I can’t stay here anymore, not like this. I can’t watch you do this to yourself. I hope one day you understand why.”

Jeremy's mouth trembled, his mind spinning with panic as he processed Elena's words. Before he could form a coherent response, Elena turned on her heel and stormed out of the room, leaving Jeremy standing there, frozen.

After a moment of stunned silence, reality hit him like a punch to the gut. He couldn’t let her leave. Not like this. Not after everything. He bolted out of the room, feet pounding against the floor as he chased after her, his heart racing with a mix of fear and desperation.

“Mother!” Jeremy shouted, his voice echoing down the hallway as he ran. “Mother, please, wait!”

He burst into Elena’s room and came to a halt, chest heaving. The sight before him sent a fresh wave of panic coursing through his veins. Her suitcase lay open on the bed, and she was furiously pulling clothes from the wardrobe, tossing them into the bag without a second thought.

Jeremy rushed over to her, grabbing her hands to stop her. “What are you doing?” he asked, his voice breaking.

Elena shook her head, not meeting his eyes as she continued to pack.

“I’m leaving, Jeremy,” she said, her voice steady but laced with pain.

Jeremy shook his head frantically.

“What do you mean you’re leaving? You can’t leave!” His grip tightened on her hands, as if he could physically hold her there. “You and the kids are the only memory I have left of Ethan. I’m sorry for what I said, for the way I’ve been acting, but please, you can’t leave me. Ethan lives through you and the kids—I can’t lose you too.”

Elena sighed, pulling her hands free from his grasp. She looked at him, her eyes filled with a sorrow that cut him deeper than any words could.

“I’m a mother, Jeremy. Watching my child suffer like this... it’s too much. I feel like I’ve failed Ethan. I promised him I would always be here for you, to help you, to make you happy. But I don’t even know how to help you anymore.”

Jeremy’s voice came out abruptly, almost like a reflex. “I’m happy. You did a good job, Mother. You did.”

Elena looked at him, her eyes searching his face for something she couldn’t find.

“Did I, Jeremy? Did I really do my job as a mother?”

Jeremy nodded, swallowing hard, but he couldn’t meet her gaze. Silence fell between them, heavy and suffocating.

Elena took a deep breath, breaking the quiet.

“I’m still leaving, Jeremy,” she said softly, but firmly. “The only way I’ll stay is if you tell me what’s been going on with you. What did Carter do that has you so worked up? What happened?”

Jeremy froze, his blood running cold at her words. Emotions surged inside him—fear, shame, anger, guilt—all battling for dominance. His heart pounded in his chest, a frantic drumbeat of anxiety.

Elena’s voice became more insistent, her eyes boring into him. “Tell me, Jeremy. What did he do?”

“I can't,” Jeremy muttered, shaking his head as he backed away a step, his breath coming in shallow gasps.

Elena stepped forward, her persistence unwavering. "What did he do, Jeremy? What happened between you two?"

“I can't tell you!” Jeremy’s voice cracked, his desperation evident.

Elena’s face twisted with pain, and she took a step back, turning away from him. “Then I’m leaving.”

"No!" Jeremy’s hand shot out, grabbing her arm and pulling her back toward him.

“Please, don’t go!”

Elena turned to face him, her expression a mix of concern and frustration.

“Jeremy, what is wrong? Why won’t you just tell me what’s going on?”

The pressure was unbearable. Jeremy felt like he was being squeezed from all sides, his chest tightening until he could barely breathe. His mother’s gaze felt like it was peeling back every layer he had tried so hard to build around himself. His heart pounded harder, each beat echoing like a drum in his ears. He could feel his defenses crumbling under her relentless questioning.

“Tell me, Jeremy,” Elena pressed, her voice breaking with emotion. “What happened?”

The dam broke. Jeremy’s control snapped like a brittle twig under too much strain. He felt the words explode out of him, raw and jagged, like shards of glass ripping through his throat.

“I cheated on Ethan!” he shouted, his voice filled with anguish, his eyes wide and wild. The confession hung in the air, heavy and irrevocable, as if saying it out loud had made it real for the first time.

A silence thicker than any he had ever known settled between them, the weight of his words pressing down on them both like a crushing wave. Jeremy’s breaths were harsh and uneven, his chest heaving with the effort of holding back the sobs that threatened to break free. He didn’t dare look at Elena, terrified of seeing the disappointment and hurt he knew would be there.

Jeremy's breaths came in ragged, painful gasps, as if he were in the throes of labor. Each inhale and exhale seemed to tear at his insides, making him feel as if he were being physically ripped apart. The memories of that night—a night filled with kisses, passionate embraces, and breathless moans—tortured him beyond measure. The vivid images played over and over in his mind, each replay intensifying his agony. Tears streamed down his face, falling unchecked as the weight of his betrayal crashed down on him like a relentless tide.

Elena watched him, her face a mask of concern and deep sorrow, but her eyes were wet with tears that mirrored his own. The silence between them was deafening, filled only by Jeremy’s pained sobs and the soft rustle of Elena’s movement.

"I... I cheated on Ethan," Jeremy finally choked out, his voice barely more than a whisper through his tears. “I did it with Carter. I regret it so much, Elena. It’s been torturing me because Ethan loved me so much, and now I’ve betrayed him.” His voice cracked as he tried to explain. “It happened under the influence of alcohol, but I knew what I was doing. I couldn’t stop myself. I only realized my mistake afterward, and it’s driving me insane.”

Jeremy's face was flushed with a mixture of shame and anguish as he looked up at Elena, who was kneeling before him, her own tears flowing freely. He dropped to his knees, his body trembling with the intensity of his grief.

“I shouldn’t have let Carter get so close to me,” he sobbed, his voice breaking with every word. “I should have been more careful, more strict. I didn’t mean to hurt Ethan like this. I didn’t even know what was happening. Please, forgive me.”

Elena, her heart breaking for the man she had come to see as a son, slowly lowered herself to the floor beside him. She reached out, gently rubbing his shoulders, trying to offer some semblance of comfort. Jeremy, overcome with exhaustion and despair, let himself fall onto her lap, his cries muffled against her.

“Please, forgive me,” he continued to beg, his voice a raw whisper.

Elena’s hands moved soothingly over his shoulders, attempting to ease his suffering as best she could. Her own tears fell as she tried to calm him, her heart aching him.

Meanwhile, Dexter, lurking just outside the door, peered through the crack with a look of seething rage. His emotions were a storm of anger and hatred, the intensity of his feelings reflected in the way his jaw trembled with suppressed fury.

“Carter,” he hissed through clenched teeth, the name coming out like a venomous whisper.

To be continued…