Heartstrings on Fire (Agnes and Jared)
Chapter 833

Brayden could still recall the biting words Kerri had hurled at him as she forced the divorce papers into his hands, "We were birds of a feather, but when disaster strikes, each must fly alone." The thought brought a wry smile to his lips.

Pathetic, he mused, holding onto a belief that Kerri had been coerced or threatened by Baldrick to leave him.

For years, he'd searched for a solid explanation. A few months ago, however, Brayden had finally seen her true colors.

And she, it turned out, had never truly loved him.

Kerri said, "Let bygones be bygones, Brayden. I admit I wronged you. But it's all in the past, isn't it? Give me Sprague back, and we'll vanish from your life, out of your sight for good."

Brayden scoffed, "Wishful thinking on your part. The boy is mine, and I won't let you take him. This is the last time you'll see him, so cherish the moment."

With that, Brayden turned to head upstairs.

As he passed Kerri, she grabbed his arm fiercely. "Brayden, I'm begging you. I was wrong, okay? You can't do this to me. You're married now; you can have other children. Why are you trying to take my son?" Brayden retorted, "That's the price of your betrayal, Kerri. If you want to disappear, fine. But then you'll have to spend a lifetime without seeing your son, or even me. Or stay, and perhaps, if I'm feeling generous, I might let you see him once a year."

Kerri was frantic, "You can't do this to me, Brayden. Do you have any idea what I've done for you..." She stopped abruptly, biting her lip hard, before finally adding, "Name your terms, Brayden. Any terms, and I'll agree, just let me see my son."

His sneer turned icy, "Any terms? Does that include sleeping with me?"

"You're despicable, Brayden."

He looked at her with scorn, a sardonic twist to his lips, "If not, then forget it. I was only speaking hypothetically."

Brayden turned to leave, but Kerri blurted out, "I'll agree to it, just give me back my son."

Brayden's anger erupted. He grabbed Kerri's chin with a forceful grip, his strength immense.

Kerri felt as if her jaw might shatter.

Seething with barely contained rage, Brayden hissed, "Is this your bottom line, Kerri? That you'd just sleep with any man?"

Kerri's chin throbbed in pain, she could hardly speak.

Brayden's cold laughter carried a bone-chilling humiliation, "Women like you, who flit from man to man... even if you stripped down right now and offered yourself, I wouldn't give you a second glance." With that, he released Kerri and walked away.

She stood there, feeling as if she'd been plunged into icy water, the bone-chilling cold cutting through her, like a knife flaying her flesh.

The house was warm, but Kerri felt frozen to the core.

After a long while, Agnes approached, reading the defeat on Kerri's face.

"It didn't go well?" Agnes inquired.

Kerri shook her head, "I did everything I could, truly. What else can I do, Agnes?"