Heartstrings on Fire (Agnes and Jared) novel Chapter 904

Agnes said, “No matter what, you have to tell Ivan, and then the two of you need to figure this out together. There’s got to be a way.”

Mamie replied, “I can’t tell him. He’d give up everything for me, everything the Bartleys have worked for. But I don’t want Uncle Berlin to win because of this. That’s rightfully my brother’s legacy. Why should they benefit from our troubles? Besides, if they gain more power, our lives will become even harder.”

“But keeping this secret isn’t the solution. It’ll come out eventually. Do you think you can keep it hidden forever? Have you thought about the future?”

Mamie said, “I’ve planned to break up with him. Just like you did, I want to go abroad and have the baby. That’s why I wanted to talk to you today, Agnes. You vanished overnight years ago, and Jared looked for you for years without any luck. I need your help. I can’t let my brother find out, I can’t let anyone know, but I can’t give up on this child either.”

Mamie’s words shocked Agnes to her core.

“No, you can’t just disappear like that,” Agnes protested.

Agnes always thought Ivan and Mamie were happy. Their love seemed intense, reckless, like moths drawn to a flame. But she never imagined the struggles they faced behind closed doors.

Agnes spoke up, “But I still don’t support you running away. The thing I regret most in my life is leaving without a word. It’s a kind of irresponsible escape. Mamie, you’ve always been the bravest queen in my eyes, and this is not the right way.”

Mamie covered her face and sighed deeply, “But what am I supposed to do? I feel like I’m standing on the edge of a cliff, with no way forward or back. Today at the hospital, seeing those ordinary couples at their prenatal appointments, you can’t imagine how envious I was. My love has to hide in the shadows, I can’t even dream of marriage. I used to think that being with him was enough, that I didn’t care about anything else, that I wouldn’t mind never getting married. But I realized that I am greedy. I want it all. I covet a marriage where love is open and honest, where one day we can step into the light. But that will never happen. I don’t know when I became so fragile. I used to be fearless, able to face public scorn and piercing judgments, but now, the thought of going public terrifies me. Maybe he’s already regretting it…”