Heartstrings on Fire (Agnes and Jared)
Chapter 807

Agnes checked in with the doctor.

Dr. Ammi sighed, "She's stable for now, but there's a bit of a snag - Miss Sharon hasn't been taking her meds on schedule."

Agnes' brow furrowed. Things were a tad worse than she'd anticipated.

Stepping into the room, Agnes found Sharon perched on the bed.

A grand, floor-to-ceiling window faced the bed, offering an expansive view of the rolling river beyond. It gave the room an airy openness.

The floor was carpeted in a plush tapestry that muffled Agnes' footsteps as she approached.

Sharon seemed oblivious to her entrance, her expression eerily similar to those suffering from depression Agnes had encountered before.

They lived in their own worlds, seemingly untouched by the bustle and life around them. Even amidst the hustle of the city, their pervasive gloom and solitude clung to them like a phantom. "Miss Sharon," Agnes called out gently.

Sharon turned her head emotionlessly, but at the sight of Agnes, something flickered in her eyes.

"It's you," she said flatly.

"Yeah, it's me," Agnes replied, moving to stand beside her.

Sharon looked at Agnes intently, then unexpectedly, a smile broke across her face. "I told Jared I wanted to see you. I can't believe he actually brought you here."

Agnes started, "I'm sorry about the news report. It must have hurt you."

Sharon responded, "Jared explained everything. I know it wasn't you who released it. I know you won't do it to me."

Agnes was taken aback by Sharon's trust.

Sharon, as if seeing through her, continued, "Over the years, Jared would mention you. You're just as I imagined Miss Pritchard to be."

Agnes spoke up, "Sharon, may I call you that? I know this is all terrifying, but if you can't run from it, you've got to face it. No one can hurt you but yourself. Believe that things will get better."

Sharon mused, "Do you think we're being dramatic? Gambling with our lives like it's some sort of bad joke - but who are we trying to frighten, exactly? Surely no one cares. Surrounded by luxury, yet we persistently dwell in self-pity as if we're the leads in a tragic play."

"No, I don't think that," Agnes replied. "In the movie Titanic, Rose wanted to jump into the ocean and asked Jack a similar question. There's this line that stuck with me. She said, 'I feel like I'm standing in a crowded room screaming at the top of my lungs and no one even looks up.' You're like her. I can understand that feeling. You're not being unreasonable; you're just sick. Your mind is sick."

Sharon stared at Agnes, tears streaming down her face. No one but her therapist knew the turmoil inside her. And even then, they just assessed her condition, prescribing an endless array of medications.

She never felt understood. In her world, it seemed no one could comprehend her pain; everything was cold and dark. She had lost all courage and faith in the future, forcing herself to smile in public. But only she knew the exhaustion that lurked behind that facade.