Heartstrings on Fire (Agnes and Jared) novel Chapter 923

Agnes paused for a moment before lifting her gaze to meet Jared's.

She could tell that Ryder had lost a significant amount of weight. His eyes were sunken, the rims red and bloodshot, speaking volumes of his exhaustion.

"Why did you come here?" Agnes finally said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"How could I not?" Jared replied, with a wry smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "You and Ryder are here."

Agnes wanted to say more, but words failed her. Jared, too, seemed to have lost his desire for conversation.

Twelve hours had passed, and Jared's heart felt like it was being ripped apart every time he replayed the words Agnes had said to Ryder. They cut deep—so deep he wasn't sure he wanted confirmation of their meaning. She had made it crystal clear, she loved Ryder, and as long as he was safe, they would be together. It was a poignant show of loyalty born from adversity.

Ryder had thrown caution to the wind and ventured into danger for her, almost crippling his hand in the process. Jared knew all too well the value of a surgeon’s hands, and he was certain Agnes did too. When she had awoken, her first and only concern had been Ryder's wellbeing.

Jared felt like an outsider, stripped even of the right to express concern.