Heartstrings on Fire (Agnes and Jared)

To be honest, ever since she left Bronzetown Borough, Agnes' thoughts would often drift back to Nocturne. But because of Ryder, she had been holding back.

Ryder had been discharged and was now back home, with the nannies from Whitfield Manor looking after him.

After spending the night at Pritchard Mansion, Agnes had promptly booked a flight to the Capital.

Due to a delayed flight, it wasn't until the evening that Agnes finally arrived at Serenity Hall.

She was completely in the dark about Nocturne's condition.

Although he was undergoing some alternative medical treatments, the old doctor had said it would take at least six months before any significant improvement could be seen.

Most of the time, Nocturne was still in a deep slumber.

Agnes walked into Serenity Hall.

The staff there mostly recognized her and knew she was there to see the boy. They let her straight through to the backyard.

Mr. Hanson was in the backyard, tending to his herbs when Agnes greeted him.

Seeing Agnes, he said, "Ms. Pritchard, it's been quite some time since your last visit."

Agnes hastily replied, "Please, just call me Agnes. How are Nocturne and Esther?"

"They're both in the room. Nocturne is still asleep, and Mr. Whitfield has been by his side the whole time," Mr. Hanson informed her.

A strange feeling stirred in Agnes' heart.

Mr. Whitfield? Something clicked, but she wasn't quite sure what it was.

Entering the room, Agnes saw a familiar tall silhouette. Her heart confirmed her guess.

It was indeed Jared.

After returning to the city, she had visited Whitfield Manor. Alyssa had mentioned Jared had left the company abruptly and no one knew where he went.

Jared had been running the company for a long time and had never acted so impulsively.

Agnes hadn't thought much of it at the time, assuming Jared had just gone off to clear his head.

But she never suspected he would be here, of all places.

"Jared," Agnes called out.

Jared turned at the sound of her voice, his frame stiffening upon seeing her.

For a moment, his eyes seemed to swirl with emotion, but almost instantly, calmness returned.

In a voice devoid of warmth, Jared said, "You're here to see Nocturne?"

Agnes nodded and stepped inside. Approaching the bed where Nocturne lay sleeping, she saw Esther playing with her toys nearby.

The child's face lit up at the sight of Agnes, "Pretty lady, you're here! I've missed you!"

Esther had once run a high fever after indulging in too much candy, and Agnes had stayed by her side for days and nights without rest.

Since then, Esther had grown particularly fond of Agnes, as if developing a special kind of dependence.

Mr. Hanson explained that it was because Esther had never been so ill before, and during her worst moments, it was Agnes who had cradled her.

Of course, the most important reason was that Esther had no mother, a fact Agnes learned later on. Agnes' presence fulfilled the four-year-old's yearning for maternal affection.

And Agnes had grown quite fond of Esther too. The child's eyes were incredibly captivating, like glittering gems.

Moreover, Agnes always felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity with the child. Though she was sure they had never met before, Esther's face seemed oddly recognizable, as if from a forgotten dream. Without hesitation, Agnes scooped Esther into her arms, "I've missed you too, sweetheart. Have you been a good girl?"

"I've been really good, always staying by Nocturne's side," Esther replied with a smile that could brighten the darkest room.