ARIA’s POV
As I walked towards Carter, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of calm wash over me. The warm sun on my skin and the serene lake scene before me were a balm to my frazzled nerves. I sat down beside Carter, our shoulders almost touching.
He didn’t turn to me, but I could sense his awareness of my presence. I followed his gaze out to the lake, watching as a fish broke the surface, causing ripples to spread out across the water.
“What brings you here?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. I wasn’t sure why I was whispering, except that the silence seemed too precious to shatter.
Carter turned to me, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled. “Just enjoying the peace,” he said, his voice low and soothing. “It’s hard to find moments like this, you know?”
I nodded, feeling a sense of understanding pass between us. We sat there in silence for a moment, watching the lake and soaking up the tranquility of the scene. It was a small respite, but one I was grateful for.
I turned to Carter, my curiosity getting the better of me. “Carter, can I ask you something?” I said, my eyes locked on his.
“Sure, what is it?” he replied, his gaze never leaving mine.
“Why do you work for Matteo?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. I had always wondered but had never had the courage to ask.
Carter’s expression changed, a small laugh escaping his lips. “Matteo is a good man, Aria,” he said, his eyes crinkling at the corners. I raised an eyebrow, surprised by his response.
“A good man?” I repeated, skepticism evident in my voice.
Carter nodded, his smile growing wider. “Yes, a good man. He’s loyal, fiercely protective, and would do anything for those he cares about.”
I studied Carter’s face, trying to read between the lines. There was something more to his words, something he wasn’t saying.
I shook my head, disbelief etched on my face. “Carter, have you forgotten what he did to you,” I said, my voice firm. “Matteo hurt you. He struck you with a rod, right here on your neck.”
Carter’s smile faltered for a moment, but then he laughed, a low, husky sound. “Ah, that,” he said, his eyes glinting with amusement. “I deserved it, Aria. I had it coming.”
My eyes widened in shock. “You deserved it?” I repeated, my voice incredulous. “How can you say that, Carter? Matteo had no right to hurt you like that”
Carter’s expression turned serious, his eyes locking onto mine. “Matteo has his ways, Aria. And sometimes, those ways are harsh. But he’s not a cruel man. He’s just… driven.”
I shook my head, still trying to understand Carter’s perspective. But it was like trying to see into a dark room, I couldn’t make out the shapes, the motives. All I knew was that Carter’s loyalty to Matteo was unwavering, and that was what scared me the most.
“Have you ever thought of harming Matteo?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. I wasn’t sure why I asked maybe I was trying to gauge Carter’s loyalty, or maybe I was just curious.
But Carter’s response was immediate and firm. “No,” he said, his eyes locked on mine. “I would never hurt Matteo. He’s important to me.”
I raised an eyebrow, surprised by the conviction in his voice. “Important?” I repeated. “What do you mean?”
Carter’s expression softened, and for a moment, I saw a glimmer of vulnerability. “Matteo took me in when I had nothing,” he said, his voice low. “He gave me a purpose, a reason to keep going. I owe him my loyalty, Aria. And I won’t betray that, no matter what”. Some hung felt off.
I studied Carter’s face, trying to understand the depth of his devotion to Matteo. It was clear that his loyalty ran deep, but why?
I nodded, my eyes locked on Carter’s. “You’re the one person I trusted when I married Matteo,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “You’re the one person I thought I could count on.”
Carter’s expression softened, his eyes filled with a warm light. “Aria, I-” he started to say, but I cut him off.
“But now,” I continued, my voice faltering. “I don’t know if I can trust you anymore.”
Carter’s face went still, his eyes searching mine. “Aria, what’s going on?” he asked, his voice low and urgent. “What’s changed?”
I shook my head, feeling a lump form in my throat. “I can’t explain it, Carter. I just don’t know who to trust”
Carter turned to me, his eyes filled with a questioning intensity. But I looked away, my gaze drifting out across the lake. I couldn’t meet his eyes, couldn’t bear to see the concern and confusion that was surely written there.
“Do you trust Alonzo?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. I didn’t know why I asked. Maybe, I was trying to deflect attention from my own doubts and fears.
Carter’s expression changed, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Alonzo?” he repeated, his voice neutral. “What about him?”
I shrugged, still not looking at Carter. “Maybe I’m doubting everyone”.
Carter sighed, his voice, low and serious. “Aria, you need to trust only one person.”
I turned to him, my eyes locking onto his. “Who’s that?”
He held my gaze, his eyes intense. ” Yourself. Trust no one else, Aria. Not even Matteo. Only yourself.”
I forced a smile, trying to lighten the mood, then stood up to leave. “Hey, Carter? Can I ask you something?”
He raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical. “What is it?”
I tried to sound casual, but my heart was racing. “Did you happen to drop a letter in my room? I found it on my bed, and I wasn’t sure who it was from.”
Carter’s expression changed in an instant. His eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched, and his face darkened with a sudden anger. The shift in his mood was so obvious that it made me scared.
“A letter?” he repeated, his voice low and menacing. “What letter?”
I took a step back, my heart racing. I hadn’t expected this reaction. “You know what I’m talking about,” I paused. “The letter that had the truth about Matteo killing his wife”
Carter’s eyes flashed with anger, and he took a step closer to me. “Who do you think dropped it?” he demanded, his voice cold and hard.
I felt a surge of fear, but I tried to stand my ground. “It’s either one of you, including Mrs. Fletcher” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.
Carter’s expression turned glacial, his eyes freezing into a cold, hard stare. “Evelyn” he growled.
I felt a chill run down my spine as Carter’s anger seemed to radiate towards me like a dark energy. I realized, in that moment, that I had made a grave mistake. I shouldn’t have told him.