Heartstrings on Fire (Agnes and Jared) novel Chapter 746

The word aunt seemed to strike a raw nerve in Ryder. That word had been his worst enemy for the longest time. He had spent four years, four years of tireless efforts, trying to rid himself of the association with that term. But now, he had simply gone overseas to conduct a seminar. And suddenly, everything seemed to revert to the past.

The cage that had been hanging over his head came crashing down, trapping him once again.

Ryder simply could not accept it. Even though he had matured and become calm over the years, seeing the guilt on Agnes' face, he understood everything and couldn't bear it any longer.

Agnes, having spent so many years with Ryder, had come to understand his character.

People often said that Dr. Ryder was cold, that he was an iceberg in human form. But Agnes knew that Ryder was simply used to hiding behind an icy exterior to protect himself.

Beneath that cold exterior, Ryder was a man of flesh and blood, with warm emotions.

Turning to Jared, Agnes said, "I'd like to have a word with Ryder in private."

Agnes was afraid that the two might come to blows again.

"I'll be in my room, then," Jared responded.

Agnes then moved to the small balcony on the second floor, and Ryder followed suit.

For the first time, Ryder couldn't hold back. He grabbed Agnes' hand, "Tell me what's going on."

Love wasn't something that could be reciprocated just because you treated someone well.

If your love wasn't what the other person wanted, then it was just a one-sided affair.

"Ryder, you're great, you're exceptional. You don't need to compare yourself to Jared. You're different," Agnes said.

"To me, it's all the same. From childhood to adulthood, I never fought or competed for anything. My uncle always received more attention from my grandfather, more affection from my mother, more of everything. My grandfather wanted me to study finance, but to avoid conflict with my uncle, I chose medicine instead. I didn't mind all of this, but what I can't accept is how the one thing I wanted was always taken away by him. I accepted it when you two got married, but what about now? Did my three years of companionship mean nothing? Can't you see the sacrifices I've made for Nocturne? Agnes, I don’t understand, I don’t understand how he could defeat me so easily."

Agnes' heart ached as well. How could she not understand Ryder's sacrifices over the years?