Heartstrings on Fire (Agnes and Jared)
Chapter 653

As if enchanted by Jared's voice, Agnes eventually settled herself down next to him. Jared, with their son Nocturne in his arms, moved a bit closer as he sat down, their shoulders just barely touching while they watched the snowflakes falling gently from the sky.

With Nocturne's warmth radiating in his arms, Jared finally broke the silence, "How have you been these past few years?"

This was perhaps the first calm and genuine conversation they've had since their unexpected reunion. To their surprise, the conversation was laced with a touch of melancholy.

Agnes lowered her gaze, "I've been okay, you?"

Jared took a moment before responding, "I haven't been doing well, not at all."

Agnes felt her heart tighten at his words. As she turned to look at Jared, she found his gaze fixed on her. His eyes were deep, reminiscent of the sea under a moonless night sky, and something within them seemed to pull her in. She found herself speechless.

Without warning, Jared leaned in slowly and pressed a soft kiss onto Agnes' lips. His movements were gentle, as if he was afraid to awaken something. His lips traced hers tentatively, and despite her rational mind telling her to push him away, Agnes found herself closing her eyes instead.

She recalled a similar winter many years ago when they had traveled to the countryside. They had sat in the yard enjoying potatoes, sharing kisses under the starry sky. The sweet memories of that night seemed to be etched deep within her mind.

Living in Manhattan, Agnes had not seen a starry sky in years. But every time she was unable to sleep in the middle of the night, she would stand by the window with a glass of red wine, overlooking the city lights, and those memories would resurface, bringing a sense of nostalgia.

It had been four years. She thought she had forgotten about Jared's gentleness, his kisses, and his scent. But the moment their lips met, her body couldn't help shaking. She didn't want to admit that she was still embarrassingly yearning for him. Jared was like her opium, an addiction she thought she had kicked, but the craving was still there.

If her phone hadn't suddenly vibrated, Agnes might have completely succumbed to her feelings. The call was from Kearney, who she had asked to investigate something for her. She moved to the window to take the call.

"I've gotten everything you asked for. Do you want me to mail it to you, or will you come and pick it up?"

"I'll be in the Capital tomorrow, leave it with Phenix, I'll pick it up myself."

"Okay."

It was a short conversation, but Jared could faintly hear a man's voice on the other end, and he could tell that Agnes had a hidden agenda for her return. She seemed to be secretly investigating something. He current identity was mysterious, and even her communications were discreet. An ordinary person wouldn't have access to such advanced counter-surveillance communication equipment, and the people she was in contact with were all enigmatic.

After hanging up, Agnes returned to Jared, "Take good care of Nocturne these next few days. I have to leave for a bit, we'll talk about Nocturne when I return."

Agnes had important things to attend to, and naturally, she couldn't delay it.

"Where are you going?" Jared's voice turned cold.

"That's none of your business."

With that, Agnes quickly grabbed her coat, changed her shoes, and left the Comfort Oasis Retirement Home.

Jared frowned. He was certain he had heard her mention the Capital.