Heartstrings on Fire novel Chapter 1238

Sure enough, the young man in the middle was Bain.

Although Agnes wasn't particularly close to Bain, she had known him for years as Reggie’s right-hand man. Their paths had crossed often enough, especially during those summers at the lake house.

Bain had one of those faces you don't easily forget. Even in middle age, he was undeniably handsome. Agnes had once mentioned to Reggie Albert that Bain must have been quite the heartthrob in his youth.

Reggie had chuckled and said, "You're spot on. Bain was not only a looker, but also an Ivy League graduate who had spent some time abroad."

Curious, Agnes had asked, "If Bain was so remarkable, why did he end up working as your manager?"

Reggie had shrugged casually. "He made some poor choices when he was younger, found himself with nowhere to go, so I took him in."

Agnes hadn't pushed further; she understood it was a sensitive part of Bain's past.

Bain had a distinctive mole by his eye. The man in the photo had one too, and that's how Agnes knew for sure it was him—Bain, or as he was known back then, Bain Whitfield.

It was bewildering. Bain had been with Reggie for so many years, yet he had ultimately betrayed him. At the time, Bain claimed he was forced into it when Kearney threatened his granddaughter, and Agnes could understand why he might have felt he had no choice.

Reggie, respecting their past, had let Bain go without any retribution. Agnes had thought that was the end of it.

But now, unexpectedly finding this photo in the old man’s study, Agnes felt an unsettling curiosity. Was there something more to the story?

"So why do you look like you've got the weight of the world on your shoulders?"

"It's nothing," she said, brushing it off. "Just thinking about a few things."

She noticed how tired Jared looked, his eyes red from a long day. She didn't want to burden him with her own troubles, especially since they might involve his family. If what she suspected was true, then the truth could be harsh. Reggie was Jared's biological father, and the old man was his grandfather. The situation was complicated, and even if Agnes uncovered the truth, she wouldn't tell Jared.

"Where's Nocturne?" Jared asked.

"He's already asleep in the little room," Agnes replied. "Are you hungry? Let's grab something to eat and then head home."