Heartstrings on Fire novel Chapter 397

"So, Granny, did you oppose their relationship back then?" Agnes asked.

"Of course, who wants to hand their daughter over to a thug? Sure, he treated your mom well, but with guys like him, you never know what they're capable of. None of his friends were any good either, I was worried he'd be a bad influence on your mom. I opposed it, but it didn't make a difference."

"Did Mom really like him?"

Her Granny's eyes filled with a hint of helplessness. "Initially, I believed your mom was simply thankful to him. He was always there for her, picking her up from school no matter the weather. I never imagined a girl as good as your mom would fall for someone of his type. Yet when I insisted she end things with him, she went without food for three days. That's when it hit me: she truly cared for him, despite his rough edges."

From an outsider's perspective, Agnes felt moved hearing this.

She could understand her mother's feelings.

Even though Michael was an uneducated thug, he was her mother's hero.

"Later on, your mom went to the big city for university and Michael followed her. He promised me he'd find a decent job and turn his life around. He said he'd come ask for her hand in marriage once he made something of himself. I accepted him then, because I knew he genuinely cared for your mom. As long as he was around, I wouldn't worry about your mom being bullied in the city."

As she said this, Agnes’ Granny seemed to remember something, her voice turning somber.

"What happened then? Why didn't Mom end up with him and chose Dad instead?"

"I'm not entirely sure about the events in the city. What I do know is that your mom returned home one day and secluded herself in her room for an entire week. She neither ate nor drank, just sat in isolation. Michael arrived and spent an entire day and night kneeling outside her door, waiting. When she finally emerged, they had a lengthy conversation in the yard. It culminated with your mom ending their relationship. Michael was left standing there, visibly distraught and in tears. It pained me to witness his heartbreak. I tried asking your mom about the circumstances, but she remained tight-lipped. Soon after, Michael departed, and I never saw him again. Rumor has it he ran into legal troubles and ended up incarcerated. Surprisingly, within three months, your mom married your dad."