Heartstrings on Fire novel Chapter 1145

Agnes rose from her bed, stretching as the sunlight streamed through the curtains. As she stepped into the hallway, she noticed the butler, Bain, emerging from Phenix's room.

Seeing Agnes up and about, Bain greeted her, "Good morning, Miss Septima. Breakfast is ready. Would you like it served in your room?"

Agnes shook her head, "No thanks, I'll join you all in the dining room shortly."

Bain nodded and was about to leave when Agnes called out, "Bain?"

"Yes, Miss Septima? Do you need anything else?"

"Where's my brother? Has Kearney left already?"

"Mr. Kearney left early this morning," Bain informed her.

"And Phenix, has he had his breakfast?"

"Mr. Phenix is currently having breakfast," Bain said with a hint of relief. "Whenever Mr. Kearney returns, Mr. Phenix seems to brighten up. He eats well the next day. That's why Mr. Kearney makes it a point to come back as often as he can."

Agnes pondered this as she decided to check on Phenix herself. It was curious to her; whenever she had seen Phenix's reactions to Kearney's visits before, they seemed calm, hardly the delighted reunions Bain described.

Entering Phenix's room, she found him indeed enjoying his breakfast, looking noticeably more vibrant than the day before.

"Phenix," Agnes called softly.

Phenix looked up, his face lighting up with a smile. "Septima, come join me."

Agnes walked over and took the seat Phenix offered.

His voice took on a bitter note, "Sean and I had promised each other a lifetime. We were supposed to grow old together, but he left too soon. Yet, I know he can't bear to leave me; that's why he visits me in my dreams. Sometimes, finding a reason to keep going blurs the line between dreams and reality. What difference does it make? Life itself is like a big dream."

Agnes found herself at a loss for words against Phenix's reasoning.

Still, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss.

During her stay on the island, that sense of unease lingered.

It wasn't until Jared insisted she return home that Agnes agreed to leave the next day.

The evening before her departure, Kearney made another visit. Agnes sought out Reggie in his study, finding him lost in thought, staring at a photograph. Upon noticing her, he quickly hid it away.

That night, they managed to have dinner together for the first and only time during Agnes's visit, a rare moment of togetherness amidst the undercurrents of mystery and unspoken secrets.