Did You Miss Me?

Dante Carter pulled into the Carter estate and killed the engine.

He didn’t know how long he sat there, his fingers tapping the steering wheel, music playing softly from the speakers.

He glanced at the time.

7:03 p.m.

Too early to be late.

Too late to turn around.

He should’ve gone to her place. That was the plan. For two days, it was all he thought about—ring the bell, see her face, maybe say something halfway decent like, “Hey… did you miss me?”

Instead, he was here.

At his brother’s engagement party.

In a house he was damn sure no one wanted him in.

“Real smart, Dante,” he muttered.

He checked the mirror. Adjusted his collar. Not bad. Clean for someone who had only been in a jumpsuit for six months.

He practiced a smile.

Flat. Crooked.

Okay, try again.

On second thought, he scrapped the idea.

It’s not like he was here to impress anyone.

Dante stepped out of the car, straightened his jacket, and walked toward the front door. Technically, he belonged here. His name was still on the family trust—even if Grey Carter would rather pretend he didn’t exist.

The security guard gave him a once-over, his eyes widening with recognition before he stepped aside. Of course. Who wouldn’t be surprised after a three-year disappearance?

The moment Dante stepped inside, the noise hit him—glasses clinking, jazz playing in the background. He inhaled deeply, tucking his hands into his pockets.

Nothing had changed.

Same marble floors. Same coldness.

Same hollow feeling in his chest.

“Oh my God. Danny? Is that you?” a voice called out behind him.

He turned.

“Lolie?”

She launched herself at him before he could brace—all limbs, curls, and way too much perfume.

“Holy crap, it is you!” she cried, squeezing him so tight, it was hard to breathe. “Where have you been? No one wanted to tell me anything!”

Eloise. Nineteen now, apparently. Still dramatic. Still the only one in the family who didn’t look at him like he was a mistake.

Dante stumbled back slightly but steadied her by the waist, a soft chuckle escaping his lips.

“God, you’ve grown so heavy.”

“I hate you. So much,” she sobbed, hugging him even tighter.

It took Dante a few seconds to notice everyone staring. Eloise didn’t seem to care. Not even a little.

Dante smiled and waved politely to the stunned onlookers.

Well, a dramatic entrance wasn’t exactly the plan.

Maybe he should’ve come in through the back doors.

“Dante?”

Dante turned.

Elijah.

He hadn’t seen his brother in over six months, but Elijah still looked the same—neat, polished, stupidly likable.

“You came,” Elijah said, smiling.

“Don’t sound so surprised.” Dante chuckled, gently peeling Eloise off him.

“I am surprised. You look…”

His eyes drifted down Dante’s frame like he was trying to fit him into the picture he had painted in his head.

“Alive?” Dante offered with a smirk.

“Yeah… and neat.”

“You didn’t tell us you were coming,” Eloise snapped, narrowing her eyes. “And what the hell? Where have you been?”

Dante patted her dyed-pink hair.

“Pink? Really? Is that the trend now?”

“Don’t change the topic, Danny! I want answers.”

“And answers you’ll get—after the party,” he patted her back.

Elijah pulled him into a quick hug. “It’s good to see you, man.”

“You too.” Dante clapped his back. “Congrats, by the way. So… where’s the lucky woman that gets you all to herself?”

“Oh, Danny, have you seen her? She’s so pretty. My God, her eyes—these sharp, icy blue things, like shards of glass. I like her already.”

The smile on Dante’s lips faltered.

Blue eyes. There was no way.

She wasn’t the only woman with blue eyes.

He swallowed the knot forming in his throat and forced a grin.

“Have you greeted Dad?” Elijah asked, nodding toward Grey Carter, who was deep in conversation with a few businessmen.

Dante exhaled and made his way over.

“Dad.”

Grey turned. For half a second, something cracked in his expression. Then he smiled and pulled Dante in for a quick, stiff hug.

“Dante… I wasn’t expecting you.”

“You invited me.”

“Didn’t think you’d show.”

Dante smiled faintly. It wouldn't take much for him to pretend he was happy to see him. He'd been gone for six months, and that was all he got?

A half-hearted hug and a disappointed grin.

Maybe he should have died in prison. Maybe everyone would have been happier.

Dante felt a knot in his throat, and he inhaled sharply, digging his hands into his pockets.

“Have you greeted your mother?”

Dante’s throat tightened.

Marjorie Carter was many things. But a mother wasn’t one of them.

Still, Grey insisted he call her mom.

“Not yet. I just came in. I’ll…”

Dante’s breath caught when his eyes drifted past Grey’s shoulder—toward the portrait on the wall. Elijah had his arm around a woman.

Her scarlet hair was let down in waves, her piercing blue eyes were curved in crescents as she stared at Elijah, that bright smile on her chin.

Dante’s world stilled as he blinked, hoping he was imagining it. But when he opened his eyes again, she was still there, in his brother’s arms.

‘’Dante? Is something wrong?’’

Grey’s voice came from a distance, muffled and incoherent until a hand landed on Dante’s shoulder.

“Son? Is something wrong?”

Dante swallowed the rock in his throat. “No. I’m—” He cleared his throat. “I’m fine.”

His chest was squeezing so hard it was difficult to breathe.

‘His heart thudded against his chest as he looked at his father;

“Is Elijah…” His voice cracked. “He’s getting married to Hana Verlice?”

He already knew the answer. But part of him hoped he was wrong—desperately.

Grey gave a small nod. “Yes. That was part of the arrangement. We’re trying to keep the press clean.”

Grey replied, turning to the portrait; ‘’They look good together. I think the arrangement wasn’t bad after all. ‘’

Grey kept talking but Dante had zoned out.

His vision blurred. The floor seemed to tilt beneath him.

He didn’t know how long he stood there in a daze, before he blinked.

‘’I’ll be back...’’

He said, as he turned and walked away before Grey could stop him.

…

Dante stared at the grand staircase, chest tight, hands trembling in his pockets.

He thought he could give up everything for Elijah. That’s what Marjorie had always drilled into him—he existed to make Elijah shine. And he had taken it, every single time, because it meant he could belong here.

But no one had warned him, that one day, he would also have to give her up.

For six months, he’d imagined this moment. Rehearsed every word he’d say. How he’d kiss her cheeks, bury himself in her hair, whisper how sorry he was—how much he missed her.

How he’d counted down the days just to see her again.

He never thought it would be like this.

He took a step forward—then froze. The sharp click of heels echoed down the marble hall.

His head snapped up.

And there she was.

Holding her dress with one hand as she descended, slow and careful. Her scarlet hair spilled down her back, soft and longer than he remembered.

Then she saw him and she stopped.

Her breath caught. Her lips parted. Eyes wide.

Shaken.

The world around them came to a standstill, as they just held each other’s gaze.

She didn’t speak.

Neither did he.

And suddenly, he smiled, a dry chuckle leaving his lips, as he tilted his head to the side;

Then—softly he asked, almost like it hurt;

“Did you miss me?”