Heartstrings on Fire (Agnes and Jared)
Chapter 860

Jared hadn't left the hospital. He had just stepped out onto the balcony.

Lighting up a cigarette, he suddenly remembered the hospital's no-smoking policy and reluctantly snuffed it out. Jared stood there, his fingers clenched tightly around the extinguished butt.

His heart ached so fiercely he wished he could rip it out and crush it to pieces. Maybe then the pain would stop.

As a man, he felt like an utter failure. He had managed to hold on to Agnes, but her heart was no longer fully his.

He had convinced himself that Agnes' conservative views would keep her from jumping into anything with Ryder, but that was exactly the problem.

Agnes' restraint with Ryder was born of societal expectations, not passion.

Ryder, however, was not the type to give up. If he managed to break down that barrier one day, their connection might prove to be much deeper than what he and Agnes had.

At the end of the day, he was bothered by the bond between Agnes and Ryder.

But Ryder was also Nocturne's doctor, which made the situation all the more frustrating.

Agnes had been by Nocturne's side ever since the incident. Nocturne had woken up around six o'clock, looking frail and burning up with fever.

Upon seeing him awake, Agnes rushed over. "Summer, how are you feeling?"

"Mommy, my head hurts."

Agnes stroked his hair. "I know, sweetie. Just bear with it for a little while; you'll feel better soon."

But Agnes wasn't sure when Nocturne would actually get better.

His condition had the entire pediatric ward at a loss. Even Ryder couldn't give a straight answer.

Nocturne might recover after stopping the medication, or his condition might worsen significantly.

Agnes spoke softly, "I made some dumplings for you, your favorite. Are you hungry?"

"Mommy, I don't feel like eating."

"Nocturne, you've slept for a very long time. You need to eat something. Grandma made your favorite corn and shrimp dumplings."

With a weak voice Nocturne said, "Okay, just a little bit then."

Agnes helped Nocturne sit up and brought over the chicken noodle soup.

Nocturne clearly had no appetite.

With each bite, his brow furrowed deeply, but he bravely swallowed down the food.

Agnes felt a pang of sadness.

After merely two mouthfuls, Nocturne could no longer continue eating.

Agnes didn't push him.

Nocturne lay back down and asked, "Where's Daddy?"

Agnes replied, "Daddy was just here. Do you want to see him? I could call him to come back, okay?"

Nocturne nodded.

Agnes was about to make the call when Jared walked in.

Seeing Nocturne awake, Jared hurried over. "Summer, you're awake? How do you feel, anything wrong?"

Nocturne shook his head. "Don't worry about me too much. I know I'll be okay. I might just need to sleep a little longer and then I'll be fine."

Nocturne had a profound understanding of his own condition.

More often than not, waking up in a hospital didn't faze him.

The serenity he possessed, as if he had the soul of a wise old man rather than that of a five-year-old child, broke Jared's heart.

Jared felt a wave of guilt. "Nocturne, Daddy is so sorry. I've never taken good enough care of you. All this time, you've endured so much suffering."