Heartstrings on Fire Chapter 402

Chapter 402 

Sure, Cilian has another son. 

That’s Ryder, the kid he had with Alyssa. 

Though Ryder didn’t grow up in the Thomas family, Cilian could never quite get him out of his head. 

This was mainly ’cause his two older sons were a bit of a letdown 

Raleign screwed up most of the family business as soon as he took over 

And Kevin, well, his heart just wasn’t in it. 

But Ryder, he was a smart cookie, and Cilian had been keeping tabs on him all these years. 

The kid had a lot of his old man in him, sharp and collected, he had the chops to do big things. He was studying to be a doctor, but Cilian figured he could teach him a thing or two about business. 

Cilian was dead set on having this son take over the family business, especially these past few years as his health had been on the decline. 

But then there was Tim, always making things difficult. 

He’d hang up after just a couple of sentences. 

His dad told Jared to block the Thomas family’s number, he didn’t want to deal with that jerk anymore. 

Jared was at his wit’s end, “If Cilian wants to call you, I doubt I can stop him. He’ll find a way” 

His dad let out a deep sigh, “The biggest mistake I ever made was letting your sister marry that guy. She’s been through the wringer, lost faith in marriage, and has been living on her own all these years.” 

Jared tried to reassure him, “None of this is your fault, you shouldn’t blame yourself Let’s eat.” 

It was Christmas Eve dinner. 

The tradition here was to have roast turkey 

Alyssa was in the kitchen whipping it up. 

Jared went up to her like a little kid, “Alyssa, that turkey smells delicious” 

Alyssa laughed when she saw him, “Here, have a taste, see how it is” 

She picked up a piece of meat and blew on it, “Careful, it’s hot” 

Jared took a bite and praised, “It’s just as good as I remember Alyssa, your roast turkey is the best in the world” 

“Always the charmer,” Alyssa pinched Jared’s face lovingly. 

Agnes observed the scene unfolding before her. The ambiance was warm and inviting. To her, Jared stood as a pillar of strength, unfazed by challenges. Around others, he maintained a stoic demeanor. Yet, with Alyssa, he was different, revealing a vulnerability Agnes seldom witnessed. Their bond was palpable 

Alyssa’s demeanor changed when she noticed Agnes. Her cheerful smile wäned and her tone cooled, “Oh, you’re back?” 

With an arm around Alyssa, Jared tried to bridge the distance, “Alyssa, Agnes brought something special for you today” 

Alyssa’s expression softened, but she remained indifferent, “What gift? I don’t really need anything.” 

Jared gestured to Agnes, prompting her to leave the room momentarily. When she returned, she held a delicate orchid. Recognition flashed in Alyssa’s eyes as she approached. The orchid Agnes held was reminiscent of the one Alyssa had inadvertently damaged during a previous encounter with Agnes.