Carter has been married twice. His first wife Isabel is a fun and free woman who hates that they live a boring life in Chapel Hill. Eventually Isabel finds a confidante in Meredith, someone who Carter would approve of. Meredith becomes close to the family, often coming over for dinner. Isabel decides she can no longer take their life. She leaves Carter. Meredith confirms that Isabel had been unfaithful. Over time, Meredith and Carter fall in love and get married...until she falls in love with Adam. Meredith attempts to break it off with Adam but continues going back to him. Meanwhile, Carter falls for Chase, who is brazen and unafraid of knowing her worth. Carter falls for her, but Chase falls for him harder. Meredith realizing that things aren't working with Adam telephones Carter. In the end, Carter recounts this to Chase who sees that he will go back to his estranged wife. She leaves him permanently. Carter, too broke to afford a divorce, gives in to Meredith's desire for them to reconcile, knowing that it will probably end in pain.