Chapter 860


    Jared hadn''t left the hospital. He had just stepped out onto the balcony.


    Lighting up a cigarette, he suddenly remembered the hospital''s no-smoking policy and reluctantly


    snuffed it out.


    Jared stood there, his fingers clenched tightly around the extinguished butt.


    His heart ached so fiercely he wished he could rip it out and crush it to pieces. Maybe then the pain


    would stop.


    As a man, he felt like an utter failure. He had managed to hold on to Agnes, but her heart was no


    longer fully his.


    He had convinced himself that Agnes'' conservative views would keep her from jumping into anything


    with Ryder, but that was exactly the problem.


    Agnes'' restraint with Ryder was born of societal expectations, not passion.


    Ryder, however, was not the type to give up. If he managed to break down that barrier one day, their


    connection might prove to be much deeper than what he and Agnes had.


    At the end of the day, he was bothered by the bond between Agnes and Ryder.


    But Ryder was also Nocturne’s doctor, which made the situation all the more frustrating.


    Agnes had been by Nocturne’s side ever since the incident. Nocturne had woken up around six o''clock,


    looking frail and burning up with fever.


    Upon seeing him awake, Agnes rushed over. "Summer, how are you feeling?"


    "Mommy, my head hurts."Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    Agnes stroked his hair. "I know, sweetie. Just bear with it for a little while; you''ll feel better soon."


    But Agnes wasn''t sure when Nocturne would actually get better.


    His condition had the entire pediatric ward at a loss. Even Ryder couldn''t give a straight answer.


    Nocturne might recover after stopping the medication, or his condition might worsen significantly.


    Agnes spoke softly, "I made some dumplings for you, your favorite. Are you hungry?"


    "Mommy, I don''t feel like eating."


    "Nocturne, you''ve slept for a very long time. You need to eat something. Grandma made your favorite


    corn and shrimp dumplings."


    With a weak voice Nocturne said, "Okay, just a little bit then."


    Agnes helped Nocturne sit up and brought over the chicken noodle soup.


    Nocturne clearly had no appetite.


    With each bite, his brow furrowed deeply, but he bravely swallowed down the food.


    Agnes felt a pang of sadness.


    After merely two mouthfuls, Nocturne could no longer continue eating.


    Agnes didn''t push him.


    Nocturney back down and asked, "Where''s Daddy?"


    Agnes replied, "Daddy was just here. Do you want to see him? I could call him toe back, okay?"


    Nocturne nodded.


    Agnes was about to make the call when Jared walked in.


    Seeing Nocturne awake, Jared hurried over. "Summer, you''re awake? How do you feel, anything


    wrong?"


    Nocturne shook his head. "Don''t worry about me too much. I know I’ll be okay. I might just need to


    sleep a little longer and then I''ll be fine."


    Nocturne had a profound understanding of his own condition.


    More often than not, waking up in a hospital didn''t faze him.


    The serenity he possessed, as if he had the soul of a wise old man rather than that of a five-year-old


    child, broke Jared’s heart.


    Jared felt a wave of guilt. "Nocturne, Daddy is so sorry. I’ve never taken good enough care of you. All


    this time, you''ve endured so much suffering."