Heartstrings on Fire (Agnes and Jared) novel Chapter 903

By the time Agnes wrapped up her work, it was dark outside. Stepping out of the television studio, a wave of desolation suddenly washed over her, leaving her with an unsettling feeling of homelessness.

Her phone buzzed. It was Mamie, inviting her out for a late dinner. Agnes pondered for a moment before agreeing. They decided to meet at Cloud View's Platinum Suite.

Agnes had thought Ivan would join them, but to her surprise, it was just Mamie sitting there, her complexion not as radiant as usual. Lately, Agnes had noticed a lack of gossip and headlines about Mamie. Ever since the film festival had come and gone, with Mamie missing out on the coveted Best Actress award, she seemed to have taken a step back from the limelight, resting away from the public eye.

Critics had speculated that the snub from the award had hit her hard, and her fans were still seething, rallying against the perceived injustice served by the festival's jury.

It had been a while since Agnes had last seen Mamie. As she sat down, Agnes went straight to the point, "How's your break? When do you plan to dive back in?"

But Mamie cut to the chase, "Agnes, I'm pregnant."

Agnes nearly jumped out of her chair, "What?"

Mamie couldn't help but chuckle at her reaction, "Believe me, I wasn't half as shocked as you are when I found out."

Agnes settled back down, "Is it Ivan's child?"

"Whose else could it be?" Mamie replied, a hint of weariness in her voice.

"When did this happen?"

The potential fallout was terrifying to consider. Would Mamie and Ivan be branded with the stigma of incest? Would Mamie's fans feel betrayed by her? Could her endorsements be jeopardized, with companies demanding exorbitant sums for reputational damage?

The implications were vast, extending far beyond individual success or disgrace.

And then there was the matter of the Bartley family. Mamie, adopted by the Bartleys, had always been treated as a harbinger of bad luck. Ivan, on the other hand, was the family's prized heir. Agnes had witnessed firsthand how Lara, from the Bartley's second house, had tormented Mamie, even resorting to physical aggression.

The exposure of Mamie's pregnancy could provide ammunition for the Bartley family to clamp down on Ivan, threatening his inheritance and standing within the family.

The concerns that plagued Agnes were a mirror of Mamie's own fears.