Falling back into you

"Zane, I swear if you don't show up in 30 minutes, I will forget that I have two sons and disown you!" A poised woman in her early fifties shouted into the phone as she descended the grand staircase of a luxurious mansion.

"Mom, I'll be there, I promise. I'm just running a little late. I know it's a big day for Ethan, and I wouldn't miss it for the world. Please, just try to understand."

Zane Knight, the charismatic leader of the world-famous boy band DTM (Drop the Mic), was constantly tied up with his packed schedule. No matter how guilty he felt about it, finding time for his family was always a challenge.

"What's up, bro?" Matt, his bandmate, plopped down beside him on the couch. "Same old story?"

Zane chuckled, eyes fixed on his phone. "New day, same drama. Nothing ever changes. By the way, where's the boss? I need to talk to him about the photoshoot."

"He's with the PR team, discussing Harry's dating rumors," Logan, another bandmate, entered the room with a cup of coffee in hand. "They're releasing a statement tomorrow, so Harry's sitting in on it too."

"Alright then, I'll talk to the boss tomorrow. I need to get ready now, or my dear mother will actually disown me." Zane stood up, stretching his arms.

"Congratulate Ethan on our behalf," Matt said. "And tell him to be ready for the party."

At Vance's Estate

Zane arrived at Vance's estate, a vast and imposing property that exuded the kind of cold wealth only someone like Carter Vance could command. His chest tightened as he stepped out of the car, his stomach churning with the familiar mix of anger and regret. He'd never wanted to see Carter again-never wanted to face the man who had once been his everything. The man who had shattered his heart.

Even after all these years, the animosity between them hadn't diminished. If anything, it had grown more intense with every passing day. Zane had tried to move on, tried to forget, but Carter... Carter had left scars that would never fully heal.

He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts before ringing the doorbell. Within seconds, the grand door opened, and Noah, Carter's younger brother, stood there with a warm smile that Zane couldn't help but return, if only a little reluctantly.

"Zane!" Noah greeted, his arms open as he pulled him into a quick hug. "We've been waiting for you. Come in."

Zane nodded and followed Noah into the house, trying not to let the cold, sterile atmosphere affect him. This place was as soulless as Carter. No matter how many years had passed, the Vance estate would always feel like the fortress of the man who had broken him.

As they walked deeper into the house, Zane's heart began to beat faster. The moment he'd been dreading was fast approaching. The moment he'd have to face Carter.

And there he was.

"Mr. Knight," a deep voice-gravelly and unmistakable-spoke from behind him. The words sent a jolt through Zane's body, making his chest tighten. He turned around, meeting Carter's cold, piercing gaze.

Carter stood there, tall, confident, and imposing in his sharp suit, his posture as rigid as Zane remembered. The boy he once loved was gone, replaced by the ruthless CEO, the man who had no interest in love-or in him.

Zane's stomach flipped, but he masked it with a forced smile. "Mr. Vance," he said flatly, his tone polite but edged with years of resentment. His hands twitched with the familiar desire to reach out and hurt him-to make him feel just a fraction of the pain Zane had endured.

Carter's gaze lingered on Zane for a moment longer than necessary, his eyes cold and unyielding. Zane's heart skipped a beat, but he refused to let Carter see the effect he still had on him. He had learned long ago to hide his emotions-especially around Carter. His lips pressed into a thin line, his expression unreadable. "Let's just get this over with," Carter said dismissively, turning away and walking toward the lounge.

Zane followed behind, his steps heavy with the weight of years of history between them. The lounge was as grand and cold as ever, with both families already seated. Ethan and Noah were sitting together, their faces bright with excitement, while the others sat in formal silence.

Their parents greeted him with practiced smiles, and after a few small pleasantries and some snacks, the conversation finally turned to the main topic. Zane's father cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "It's good that Ethan and Noah have decided to get married. It's nice to see them taking the next step."

Zane's mother nodded in agreement, though there was a trace of something in her eyes-something that hinted at an underlying agenda. "Yes, very nice," she said. "Not like Zane who just know how to give excuses."

Zane's heart sank, knowing what was coming. His mother wasn't one to leave things unsaid for long. "You've been avoiding this for far too long, Zane," she continued, her voice soft but firm. "You need to start thinking about your future. See, Ethan is younger than you but still getting marry first. It's time for you to settle down."

Zane stayed silent, his gaze fixed on his hands, his expression a perfect mask of indifference. He had heard this lecture so many times before that it barely phased him anymore. But no matter how much his mother pushed, he wasn't going to give in-not now, not ever.

Before he could respond, Carter's mother, who had been sitting quietly, glanced toward him with pleading eyes. "Carter," she said gently, her voice almost breaking. "You've been working so hard for so long. Don't you think it's time you thought about your future? Settling down, finding someone to be with, carrying on the family name?"

Zane felt a knot tighten in his stomach, his gaze flickering to Carter. He knew exactly how Carter would respond. He knew how much Carter hated being pushed into anything. He chuckled- he hates him that much that he knew everything about him. Carter's shoulders stiffened, and Zane saw the look of frustration that quickly crossed his face.

"No," Carter said sharply, his voice cold as ice. "I'm not going to sit here and listen to this. Not now, not in front of everyone." His voice rose, and the tension in the room thickened. "It's humiliating. I'm a grown man. I can make my own decisions."

Zane's heart skipped a beat at the outburst, the rawness in Carter's voice sending a chill through him. Carter was and would always be fearless. But Carter's mother didn't back down. She looked at him, her eyes filled with tears, her voice trembling. "Carter, please," she whispered. "I've done everything for you, for this family. I just want to see you happy. Don't you think you deserve to have a family of your own, to have love in your life? Please, I need you to understand. It's not just about us-it's about your future, about who you are."

The words hit Carter like a physical blow. His face flushed with anger, his fists clenching by his sides. The room went silent as everyone waited for his response. Carter's chest heaved as he took a deep breath, his voice low but fierce. "I don't need anyone's pity," he spat, turning to his mother with a cold glare. "Don't do this to me. Don't humiliate me in front of people."

Zane watched in disbelief as Carter's mother started to cry, her sobs wracking her body. Carter's eyes flickered with guilt, but he didn't move, didn't say anything to comfort her.

Noah, who had been quietly watching the exchange, suddenly stood up. His face was a storm of anger, his fists clenched at his sides. "Enough, Carter!" he shouted, his voice cutting through the tension. "You've done this for years. Always pushing everyone away, always making excuses. Why are you doing this?"

Carter's eyes hardened as he glared at Noah. "This is none of your business," he growled.

Noah's expression darkened. "It is my business, Carter. You are my elder brother. And if you don't change your this attitude then, Ethan and I-" He paused, taking a breath before continuing, "I will not marry him if you don't marry first. Simple as that."

The room fell silent again. Everyone was staring at Noah in shock, including Ethan, who looked both surprised and relieved.

"What?" Carter's voice was barely above a whisper. He couldn't believe what he was hearing.

Noah stood tall, his eyes flashing with determination. "You heard me. If you don't take that first step, then I won't. If you don't get married, then I won't marry Ethan." Ethan opened his mouth to say something, but Noah shot him a look that silenced him immediately. Noah turned back to Carter, his eyes hard with resolve. "You've been the one holding everything back, Carter. You've been the one who's too proud to admit what's really going on. But I won't wait forever. If you're not ready, then neither am I. And if you can't take that step, then I'm done."

Carter stood there, stunned, as the weight of Noah's words sank in. His heart pounded in his chest, the room spinning as he tried to process what had just happened. "You're serious?" Carter asked, his voice raw with frustration.

Noah nodded, his jaw clenched tightly. "Yes. I'm serious. If you want me to marry Ethan, then you have to marry first. No more excuses."

Zane could see the conflict in Carter's eyes, the battle raging inside him. But Carter didn't respond. Zane stayed silent, unsure of what to say. The room felt heavy, charged with so much unresolved emotion. But Zane saw something- no actually someone with the intention which made him uncomfortable. He wasn't ready for that.