Heartstrings on Fire (Agnes and Jared) novel Chapter 18

Chapter 18 

Upon hearing this, Jared’s frown deepened. His voice turned icier, “What did you just call me?” 

Agnes, half–asleep, turned over and mumbled something, “Elton…” 

A surge of anger bubbled up in Jared. He grabbed Agnes‘ face and said coldly, “Agnes, look at me. Who am I?” 

But then Jared noticed his fingertips were cold and damp. Agnes‘ eyes were closed, but tears were rolling down from the corners of them. 

Agnes was crying. 

Jared got up and fetched a warm towel. He sat by the bed and gently wiped away her tears. 

Agnes was slowly coming back to consciousness, but it felt like a dream. It reminded her of when she was a child, lying in her mother’s arms, swinging on the swing in the yard, gazing at the stars in the sky. 

She opened her eyes, and there was Jared. 

He was very careful and gentle, like he was taking care of a treasure. It’d been a long time since Agnes had felt cared for like this, and it was her husband, her family, who was caring for her. 

Suddenly, Agnes sat up, wrapped her arms around Jared’s neck, and kissed him. This was the first time she had ever taken the initiative. If it had been before, she wouldn’t have dared. But with the help of alcohol, Agnes just wanted to be closer to this man. Her hands even started to wander, teasing him… 

Jared froze. He wasn’t used to Agnes being so forward. 

Agnes‘ eyes were hazy, her cheeks were flushed, and there was a faint smell of alcohol on her. She was like an enchanting fairy. 

Her teasing was clumsy, but Jared was still turned on. He had to admit that Agnes was very attractive at the moment. But in the end, he grabbed her mischievous hand. His voice was cold but noticeably hoarse. 

Jared said, “Agnes, what are you doing?” 

At his words, Agnes felt like she’d been doused with a bucket of ice water. She pulled away from Jared, looking at him in disbelief. His face was filled with coldness and disgust she had never seen before. 

Jared got up and said, “I’m going to take a shower, you should go to bed early.” 

The sound of running water came from the bathroom. Agnes was fully awake now. She hid under the covers, clutching a pillow, but she couldn’t stop the tears from flowing. The disgust in Jared’s eyes had shattered what little self–esteem she had left. 

If Jared really loathed her, then why did he marry her? Why had he slept with her so many times? 

The man in the shower was standing under the cold spray, frustrated. The freezing water didn’t extinguish the burning desire within him. He almost lost control, but every time he thought about Agnes mistaking him for Elton, he got furious. The thought that Agnes was seducing him while thinking of another man made him….