Chapter 828 âDonât say another word, but brace yourself. Iâm not giving up yet, and Iâll snatch you away from your uncleâs side whenever I get the chance,â Ryder said, his voice a mix of determination and frustration. With that, he spun on his heel and strode away from the balcony.
Agnes let out a heavy sigh, the weight of the world seeming to settle on her shoulders.
Things were getting messier by the minute.
She had made herself clear to Ryder, time and time again. For years, Agnes had managed to keep him at armâs length, but his persistence was becoming a real cause for concern.
She lingered on the balcony, nursing a glass of red wine, trying to steady her thoughts.
Then Jared appeared. He draped his jacket over Agnesâ shoulders, his presence always so reassuring. âWhatâs on your mind out here?â
Agnes looked up, her voice soft but earnest, âJared, no matter what, I wonât leave you. You believe me, right?â
Jared paused, surprised by the sudden declaration âWhy bring this up now?â
âIâve just got a bad feeling, thatâs all.â
He wrapped his arms around her, the protector he always was. âItâs all in the past. Nothingâs going to break up our family, you hear?â The next day was a day off, a small respite from the chaos. To Agnes surprise, she found an invitation from her alma mater in the mailbox. The university was celebrating its centennial, and this year, they were inviting alumni to a grand homecoming celebration The event was just three days away Initially, Agnes wasnât keen on going. But then she learned it was Amelia who had organized it. Amelia, her former dormmate from freshman year, was a bit of a brainiac and now the head of the alumni events department. After a personal call from Amelia, Agnes couldnât say no She thought about Kerri, who had been out of touch for far too long. Since their parting in the Capital, Agnes had worried about her and Sprague Bradford That afternoon, Agnes tried calling Kerri again and, to her astonishment, the call connected. As they talked, Agnes sensed something was off Pressing for answers, Kerri suddenly burst into tears.
âWhere are you?â Agnes demanded.
Kerri was back in town, living in Maplewood Manor, just a stoneâs throw away from Agnes. Without a second thought, Agnes rushed over When she arrived, she found Kerri furiously cleaning the house. Kerri shared a particular quirk with Agnes â When stress or worry gnawed at her, sheâd turn to cleaning as a solace. The floors gleamed under Kerriâs relentless scrubbing.
Agnes hurried to her side, âKerri, what happened? Talk to me.â
Kerr managed a strained smile, but her eyes were filled with bitterness. âBrayden Simonds took Spragueâs custody away from me. I lost the court battle,â she confessed Agnes was floored. She had no idea Kerri had been locked in a legal standoff with Brayden. So much must have happened in just two months.
âHow could Brayden do this, taking Sprague away from you? Thatâs like taking your life away Heâs married now, he could have his own kids. Why take away your only hope?â Agnes words, though meant to comfort, only opened the floodgates to Kerriâs pentâup emotions, and she broke down crying Agnes didnât know how to console her friend, but she understood the pain Kerri was going through, a fear that had haunted Agnes herself for long