Heartstrings on Fire novel Chapter 1133

Kerri didn't come over. She was probably afraid that if they both came, they would end up arguing in front of the child again. Brayden looked drained, a clear sign of the heavy load he's been carrying. Lately, Agnes had been in touch with Kerri quite a bit, so she had a pretty good handle on the whole Brayden-Kerri saga.

Truth be told, deep down, they still harbored feelings for each other. But life, with its harsh realities, always found a way to stir resentment and inflict pain. Brayden was married. That was the hard truth. And no matter how much Kerri yearned to be with him, stepping into the role of the other woman was out of the question. Sometimes, arguments are just a disguise, a way to shield oneself. Agnes could relate all too well, understanding the thin line between a moment of weakness and a path of no return, leading to an abyss of despair.

Their past, filled with both fond and bitter memories, was like a ticking time bomb. Love alone doesn't guarantee happiness between lovers. Sometimes, love turns into a double-edged sword, causing more harm than good in the name of affection. Better to part ways than to be in a perpetual state of torment. Reflecting on her own past, Agnes couldn't fathom how she made it through. If given a chance to start over, she wasn't sure she'd find her way out again. She was grateful, though, that those dark days were behind her, leaving behind scars that only time could heal.

Agnes advised Brayden, "Whatever issues you two are dealing with, Sprague is innocent. Don't argue in front of him. Some childhood wounds never heal." Brayden's expression was a mix of helplessness and regret. "I never wanted to fight with her," Brayden confessed. "I've always wanted to have a proper conversation, but it's like she has a million ways to push my buttons, always in a rush to get away from me." The pain was evident on his face.

For Brayden, custody of Sprague was his only leverage. Using it to keep her tied to him was not what he wanted, but he felt trapped. Watching her growing resentment was like a thousand arrows to his heart. As an outsider, Agnes wasn't sure what to say. Eventually, Brayden took Sprague with him. The departure was tough on Sprague. Even though it was just a week's stay, it was his happiest, most relaxed time. They promised a summer reunion, but the sadness in Sprague's eyes was hard to miss.

With Sprague gone, Agnes had to take Esther and Nocturne back to Serenity Hall. She was alone with the kids, heading to the Capital since Jared was on a business trip to Japan during that time. Staying at Serenity Hall for a couple of days, Agnes was surprised to receive a call from Valeria Thomas. Valeria mentioned she had important news about Berlin, insisting on a face-to-face meeting. "Let's not discuss this over the phone. We'll talk in person," Agnes suggested.

Since Valeria was in the Capital and Agnes was there as well, they decided to meet up. Agnes was still skeptical about that matter, eager to hear Valeria's new lead. They agreed to meet at a quiet café. The afternoon sun bathed the café in a warm light. When Agnes arrived, Valeria was already there, waiting in the otherwise empty café, save for the staff.