Heartstrings on Fire (Agnes and Jared)
Chapter 856

Nocturne had been spending the last couple of days at the Comfort Oasis Retirement Home, keeping his great-grandmother company.

Once Agnes clocked out from her shift, she immediately drove to the nursing home. She dined with her grandmother, and after tucking her grandmother into bed, she picked up Nocturne and headed home. By the time Agnes arrived at Maplewood Manor, it was quite late. Truthfully, she had delayed her return on purpose.

The sprawling villa felt hollow without Jared's presence. Once, she might not have minded. There was a certain charm in leaving a light on, patiently waiting for a loved one's return-like a scene from an old romantic movie. But those sentiments had faded.

Sitting alone, waiting, Agnes couldn't help but wonder if Jared was out there, swirling a glass of cabernet with Valeria, gazing over the city skyline through floor-to-ceiling windows. She found it impossible not to think, not to care.

So she lingered elsewhere until later.

But unexpectedly, Jared was still out when she got back.

The disappointment gripped her like cold hands trying to snatch her soul, a relentless tug at her heartstrings.

What had changed? Agnes couldn't quite grasp it.

Eventually, Jared did return. He found Agnes standing in the doorway of their bedroom. They locked eyes briefly before he averted his gaze.

"Back already?" Agnes asked, her voice betraying a hint of weariness.

Jared just grunted an acknowledgment before heading into the room.

As he passed by, Agnes caught the unmistakable scent of red wine. Again with the wine.

He began to shed his coat, making a beeline for the shower, but Agnes intercepted with a question, "Been busy lately?"

He hummed a vague response. "Ran into some tricky business, so I've been getting home late."

It sounded almost like an excuse.

"Is it because of Ryder?" she ventured, piecing together what she'd heard from Leo's deductions.

Ryder's name seemed to prick Jared as if it were a needle. He shot Agnes a sharp look, his tone suddenly frosting over, "You seem awfully interested in his affairs."

Agnes' heart skipped, "I'm just concerned about you."

"Concerned? Agnes, are you concerned about whether I'm up on the rooftop laughing and lunching with him?"

Her gaze grew heavy. So Jared knew about her lunch with Ryder today. She hadn't thought much of it-after all, it was a big company, and Leo was there too. It wasn't strange for Jared to replace out. To Agnes, it was a mundane event. Didn't he also go out to eat with Valeria?

"I did have lunch with Ryder, but it was originally meant for you," Agnes explained, her voice steady. "I heard you went out with Ms. Thomas, so I didn't want to intrude."

She felt her explanation was clear enough.

Since their reconciliation, it was no secret that Jared still harbored insecurities, especially concerning Agnes' relationship with Ryder. The truth was, because of Nocturne, Agnes couldn't cut Ryder out completely, even if she knew it bothered Jared.

Agnes believed she had done her best to maintain a balance, to explain when necessary. Yet, Jared's words to her seemed to be dwindling by the day.

"So you just gave him what was meant for me? Why didn't you call? Or do you feel there's no difference between dining with him or with me, that all you need is just someone to share a meal with?" His words were cold, and a chasm of misunderstanding yawned wide between them.