Heartstrings on Fire (Agnes and Jared) novel Chapter 849

Ryder leaned against the door of his truck, the glow of the streetlamp casting long shadows on his face. "Look, Agnes, no need for thanks," he said, his voice tinged with the weariness of long hours spent in the lab. "I've put my soul into Nocturne's treatments. I want him to have a normal life more than anyone. But this new dosage... I wasn't part of that decision. I've looked into the ratios, and between you and me, if it were my call, I wouldn't have gone through with it. Just... keep an eye on him, okay? If anything seems off, you call me. Day or night, it doesn't matter."

Agnes felt her heart tighten in her chest. "I will, Ryder. I promise."

With a nod that seemed to carry the weight of the world, Ryder climbed the steps and disappeared into the building.

Agnes lingered at the curb for a moment longer before she started her car and drove away into the night.

The clock on the dashboard read 9:30 PM. These past few days, Jared had been coming home late, swamped with work and meetings that stretched into the wee hours.

She texted him – [When will you be home?]

No reply came, and not wanting to intrude on what she assumed was his busy schedule, she refrained from calling.

Instead, Agnes drove to Tim Tower. It had been a while since her last visit; her own career had picked up pace, demanding most of her time. The building was quieter at this hour, but still ablaze with light in the growing darkness.

Valeria had always been upfront, graceful, and accomplished. Agnes knew she shouldn't judge unfairly, but the sight of those two, perfectly matched shadows, made her feel as if a thorn was lodged in her chest.

In the end, Agnes didn't enter the office. She turned and walked away, a silent witness to a scene she was not a part of.

Stepping out of the building, her phone chimed with a message. It was Jared, replying to her earlier text with a terse [I’m working late.]

The words felt like a splash of cold water on her face. Working late? Was sipping wine and engaging in deep conversation his idea of overtime? And was every night of Jared's recent late stays just more of the same?