Heartstrings on Fire (Agnes and Jared) novel Chapter 911

Jared's gaze was fixed intently on Agnes' face. There was a constant air of indifferent sarcasm about Agnes as she spoke, "Jared, just because I've kept quiet doesn't mean I'm blind, and it certainly doesn't mean I'm a fool. When I texted you, called you, you told me you were buried in work, that you were too busy. And your 'busy' was drinking with a lady friend?"

Finally, Agnes had voiced the thorn in her heart. She had convinced herself countless times to be generous, to be composed, to trust Jared, but what had her understanding been met with?

In the end, Jared had completely taken Valeria's side.

Jared retorted, "Drinking was just an escape from the stress, and Valeria happened to be there, that's all. To me, she's no different than Brayden Simonds or Ivan; I've never looked at her as a woman. We're just partners."

Agnes laughed bitterly, "You could've just told me the truth, but every time you claimed you were busy."

"Agnes, why do you think our relationship was so terrible then? Don't you know why? And you really think it's because of me? If there was anything to happen between Valeria and me, wouldn't it have happened by now? What's there to doubt? Agnes, I'm surprised by your narrow-mindedness."

Agnes chuckled, "Jared, you're right, I'm petty. After four years apart, I haven't grown at all; still prone to irrational tantrums, still jealous. You say if something was to happen with Valeria, it would've happened already. If I hadn't come back then, wouldn't you be engaged to her by now? You call it a contract, but Jared, let me tell you, no woman treats her marriage like a business deal unless she chooses to. That's my woman's intuition. Our initial meeting was a misunderstanding, but when you proposed, I struggled because I realized I did like you a bit. If you don't understand that, then you don't understand Valeria either. If you really think she's content just being your business partner, then you don't know how deep a woman can hide her feelings."