Heartstrings On Fire

Chapter 828

“Don’t say another word, but brace yourself. I’m not giving up yet, and I’ll snatch you away from your uncle’s side whenever I get the chance,” Ryder said, his voice a mix of determination and frustration. With that, he spun on his heel and strode away from the balcony.

Agnes let out a heavy sigh, the weight of the world seeming to settle on her shoulders.

Things were getting messier by the minute.

She had made herself clear to Ryder, time and time again. For years, Agnes had managed to keep him at arm’s length, but his persistence was becoming a real cause for concern.

She lingered on the balcony, nursing a glass of red wine, trying to steady her thoughts.

Agnes‘ shoulders, his presence always so reassuring. “What’s

earnest, ‘Jared, no matter what, I won’t leave you. You believe me,

the sudden declaration “Why

just got a bad feeling, that’s all.”

was. “It’s all in the past. Nothing’s going to break up our family, you hear?” The next day was a day off, a small respite from the chaos. To Agnes surprise, she found an invitation from her alma mater in the mailbox. The university was celebrating its centennial, and this year, they were inviting alumni to a grand homecoming

Agnes wasn’t keen on going. But then she learned it was Amelia who had organized it. Amelia, her former dormmate from freshman year, was a bit of a brainiac and now the head of the alumni events department. After a personal call from

of touch for far too long. Since their parting in the Capital, Agnes had worried

again and, to her astonishment, the call connected. As they talked,

are you?” Agnes

Manor, just a stone’s throw away from Agnes. Without a second thought, Agnes rushed over When she arrived, she found Kerri furiously cleaning the house. Kerri shared a particular quirk with Agnes – When stress or worry gnawed at her, she’d turn to cleaning as a solace. The floors gleamed under Kerri’s relentless scrubbing.