Heartstrings on Fire novel Chapter 1126

Back then, they all harbored a faint hope that Agnes would find it in her heart to forgive Elton's momentary lapse in judgment, hoping the pair could reconcile. Unfortunately, Agnes had already tied the knot with the eldest son of the Whitfield family. Perhaps because her father had passed away, Agnes felt a profound solitude in this world. Aside from her grandmother, she no longer had the family who once cherished her during her childhood. Hence, she had long since let go of the misunderstandings of the past.

Seeing Riley and Hancock Taylor brought back a flood of memories. Their reunion stirred a complex whirl of emotions within her.

Agnes remarked, "Riley, you seem just the same as ever."

Riley responded, "Don't try to comfort me. I've aged, and my hair's more salt than pepper these days."

Thinking of Preston, Riley's mood turned somber, "Out there, abroad, Hancock and I truly had no clue about all you've endured these years, nor about your father's passing. Had we known, we would've come back to support you in a heartbeat. To think of the hardships those wicked women put you through... Your dad was such a good man, blinded for life by that vile woman. It's heartbreaking."

Riley's voice was laced with pain. But Agnes had since found peace with the past. "The past is behind us, but life must go on. We've got to look forward, not back," Agnes said.

Hancock Taylor chimed in, "Agnes always had her head on straight. Indeed, we can only move forward. Let's not dwell on the past anymore. Come, let's sit down and have dinner."

Jared approached, presenting a thoughtful gift, "I heard your uncle was fond of tea. This is a fine selection of Earl Grey, a small token of my esteem."

"Jared, you're too kind. Thankfully, Agnes has you. If she had ended up with my good-for-nothing son, it would've ruined her life," remarked a voice from the side.

Elton, pulling up a chair, joined in, "Dad, who talks about their own son like that? I'm not that bad."

Elton scoffed, "Where did I go wrong compared to Jared? He may have a family, but marriage isn't for everyone. We're the Taylors, not royalty in need of an heir."

Hancock Taylor, visibly irritated by the conversation, regarded it as a sore subject. It was, in fact, one of the reasons Agnes was invited over. Hancock, struggling to contain his agitation, exclaimed, "You might as well just be the death of me!"

Riley interjected, "Knowing full well your father's health issues, why would you provoke him?"

Elton fell silent. The situation had become awkward for Agnes. This was, after all, a private matter for the Taylor family, now openly discussed.

Agnes suggested, "Hancock, let's not get worked up. These things have a way of working themselves out; forcing it won't help."

"That's a sensible way to put it, Agnes. If they really push me, I might as well marry the next woman I meet," Elton declared, half-jokingly.