Heartstrings on Fire (Agnes and Jared)
Chapter 890

He chose to stand by Valeria's side, even if it resulted in causing her pain, breaching the trust they had nurtured and even if it meant betraying the very essence of justice. She thought that even a stranger would know right from wrong in this.

The crushing disappointment felt like the final straw breaking her back.

Jared and Valeria-there was no need for proof anymore.

The truth was laid bare before her eyes, and she had to face it, to accept it.

When Agnes had reconciled with Jared, she remembered asking him a question once.

Why didn't he fancy Valeria, when she was so accomplished?

Jared's answer at the time was now a blur to Agnes. But now, she understood his reasons.

Perhaps back then they had merely collaborated from a distance, but now, they were living in each other's pockets.

Maybe Jared's feelings for her were just an obsession.

Agnes lay in bed, tears moistening the corners of her eyes. She wanted to clear her head of everything.

All she knew was that she had allowed the same mistake to happen again, four years on.

It wasn't long before Alyssa returned.

Seeing Agnes already in bed, seemingly asleep, she approached softly.

Gently laying a hand on Agnes' forehead, Alyssa checked for fever and sighed in relief upon replaceing none.

She didn't disturb her further.

Agnes' heart ached, yet there were things she couldn't share with Alyssa.

The next morning, Agnes was up at the crack of dawn. She had scarcely slept, spending the night trying to adjust her mindset and sort through her emotions. Though not completely settled, Agnes decided to let the matter rest for now.

After all, her visit this time was to seek help for Nocturne's illness.

The following day, Agnes and Alyssa visited Mr. Hanson.

Mr. Hanson lived in an old alley in the Capital, above an apothecary named "Serenity Hall."

The shop was bustling with people, mainly young apprentices.

It was said that Mr. Hanson had trained 99 apprentices in his lifetime, each one skilled enough to benefit the community far and wide.

But the old man had retired twenty years ago. Even though he lived above the shop, he no longer saw patients or dispensed medicine. Except for special cases.

Over the years, he had taken on several challenging cases and cured them all, maintaining his renowned reputation.

Clearly, someone had already made arrangements for their visit.

Agnes and Alyssa entered without difficulty. Inside, they found Mr. Hanson drying herbs in the courtyard.

With his long beard and the white coat of a physician, he had the air of a sage about him.

Upon seeing them, Mr. Hanson turned and said, "You must be the ones Mr. Thomas mentioned."

Alyssa spoke up, "Mr. Hanson, we've come to seek your aid for a matter of great importance."

"Come inside and we can discuss this," Mr. Hanson invited.

The house was filled with various herbs and the scent of medicinal concoctions.

Mr. Hanson seated them and sat down himself, stroking his beard thoughtfully before speaking, "Mr. Thomas has briefed me on the situation. You have a child in need of my help. What exactly is the problem?" Agnes quickly explained Nocturne's condition in detail and presented the medical records for the old physician's examination.

Mr. Hanson reviewed them meticulously. Finally, setting aside the case file, he said, "This sleeping sickness is indeed rare. In my decades of practice, I've only encountered three similar cases."