Chapter 975


    She came today to say goodbye, not to make things uglier.


    Agnes didn''t want to dampen their rare moment of peace by bringing up Ryder.


    Jared seemed to understand, nodding in agreement.


    After a long silence, he said, "Agnes, I never thought we''d end up like this."


    Agnes replied, "Jared, I''m sorry. I should never havee back."


    He gave a wry smile. "Yeah, you shouldn''t have."


    Even if she had stayed away, at the ends of the earth, while he turned the world upside down


    searching for her.


    It would have been better than having her close by, yet belonging to someone else.


    At least back then, there was still a glimmer of hope in his heart.


    Now, even thatst faint light had been extinguished.


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    "Jared, I''ll be leaving soon," Agnes said. "Life will return to its calm routine. Promise me, no matter


    what, you''ll take care of yourself. Live well, okay?"


    His expression changed in an instant, his brows knitting together unconsciously.


    "Where are you going this time?" Jared asked, his voice edged with pain.


    The mere mention of leaving made his heart ache. Her four-year absence had left a scar that had


    yet to heal and now felt as if it was being torn open again.


    "Jared, I''ve decided to move on. But don''t worry, I won''t stop you from seeing Nocturne. Maybe


    Nocturne will still get treated here, and I''ll make sure he stays with you from time to time. I once


    wrongfully took that chance of being a father from you, and I''m sorry. Regarding Nocturne, we''ll


    always find the best way," Agnes assured him.


    But what Jared cared about most wasn''t Nocturne''s custody.


    His voice grew colder. "Tell me, where do you n to go?"


    Agnes offered a helpless smile. "I haven''t really decided."


    Jared wasn''t a fool. He could see something was off with Agnes today.


    She had indeede to say farewell.


    She had promised never to leave without saying goodbye, was this her way of making amends?


    His heart felt as if it was being squeezed, making it hard to breathe.


    Jared struggled to contain himself. "Why leave? Does Ryder want you to go?"


    Agnes knew she couldn''t say much more.


    She could tell Jared was on the brink of something.


    "Jared, don''t ask for more," Agnes spoke gently. "We''ve been naive, thinking we could go back to


    the past. But on reflection, even our past was filled with arguments and misunderstandings, wasn''t


    it? I''m past my naive days now. What I want is inner peace. And you, let yourself go. Don''t keep


    looking back. Learn to appreciate the people around you, okay?"


    Though it pained her heart, these words had to be said.


    For Jared, it was a matter of not letting go, of the reluctance to part with what he had invested so


    much in. But the one by his side was Valeria.


    Agnes had to admit she didn''t particrly like Valeria.


    Nor could she agree with her life philosophy and values.


    But undeniably, Valeria was a better fit for Jared.


    She would make a fine partner, helping Jared expand his empire and ascend to the pinnacle of the


    business world.


    Those were things Agnes could never do.