Heartstrings on Fire novel Chapter 1192

Kearney had indeed changed from the man he once was. Agnes used to find it impossible to decipher his moods. He always seemed to hide everything beneath a facade of gentle amiability, masking his true feelings behind the semi-smile that played at the corners of his mouth. But now, Kearney was nothing but calm coldness, as if he had locked himself away in a tiny, invisible fortress. Apart from the necessary routines of eating and sleeping, he spent nearly every moment with Phenix. Sometimes, Agnes would catch a glimpse of their silhouettes sitting side by side on the porch, and she would be struck by a sense of surreal familiarity.

Sometimes, Agnes wished Kearney hadn’t killed Sean. How much better it would have been without that tragedy. But time could never be rewound. Agnes stayed by Phenix’s side, too. Her godfather had brought in the best neurologists and psychologists from outside, but it hardly made a difference, especially since Phenix showed no interest in cooperating. She didn’t think there was anything wrong with her. It was as if she lived in a world entirely different from Agnes and the others. Phenix’s world was one she constructed by her own desires, populated with people she wished to exist. Therefore, she couldn’t understand Agnes and the others’ actions and refused to cooperate.

The doctors said Phenix’s physical health wasn’t the issue. The sedatives Kearney had been slipping into her drinks hadn’t caused any significant harm. Phenix’s current state was largely due to a basic instinct to seek comfort and avoid pain. Deep down, she couldn’t accept the reality of Sean’s death. So, she fantasized that Sean was still alive, projecting this belief onto Kearney.

Agnes spent seven days on the island, but Phenix’s condition showed no signs of improvement. Jared had stayed as well, dealing with work remotely. Agnes knew, however, that Jared couldn’t stay forever. Communication with the outside world was limited on the island, making prolonged stays inconvenient. Agnes urged Jared to leave first, but he refused. Just then, Nathalie decided to come and stay with Phenix, so Agnes planned to leave with Jared the next day.

Upon waking up the next morning, Agnes was immediately informed by Phenix’s nanny of an urgent matter. “What happened?” Agnes asked. The young nanny said, “Miss Phenix and Mr. Kearney are gone, leaving only this behind.” She handed Agnes a note. It was in Phenix’s handwriting. "Septima, Sean and I have left. I don’t know why he angered godfather so much, but I didn’t want him to be trapped here forever. We’ve left. Please apologize to godfather for me." Just a few short sentences. They were unmistakably Phenix’s words.

They had actually left, and Agnes was shocked. The security team had no idea when they had departed. Later, it was discovered there was a secret passage in the study’s cellar that led directly to the beach. They had left on a speedboat, but no one knew where the two of them had gone. Agnes immediately contacted Reggie. She had thought Reggie would send people to search for them, but to her surprise, Reggie just sighed.

“Let them be, don’t search,” he said. “After this ordeal, I doubt Kearney will harm anyone else. Let them go.” Agnes anxiously said, “And what about Phenix?” Reggie sounded pained and helpless: “Her current state might be a mercy compared to facing the cruel truth while lucid. That truth is too harsh for her.”