Love After Leaving: No Regret (Agnes and Raymond) novel Chapter 329

"This man and his attitude. Fine, don't come pick me up. But here he was anyway. What was he trying to prove?

"Honestly... and with his eyes like that..."

Carmen trailed off when she noticed the faint shadow crossing Agnes's face. She softened her voice.

"Want me to tell him to leave? I can drive you back."

Agnes shook her head. "I'll go down in a minute. There are some things I need to say to him."

Carmen helped Agnes gather her things and walked her to Raymond's car.

The car pulled away. The man didn't say a word.

Agnes studied him. The sharp lines of his profile, the striking beauty of his face, cold and composed, as always.

Agnes said, "I thought you stormed off. What are you doing here?"

Raymond's voice was flat. "That has nothing to do with this."

After a pause, Agnes spoke softly. "Raymond, thank you."

Raymond froze for a split second. Surprise flickered across his face, then something deeper—something close to longing.

But he smoothed it over almost instantly. "Thank me for what?"

What he really wanted to know was whether she was thanking him for what he'd done for her—or for sparing the Ruells. For sparing Neal.

Agnes said, "For everything."

Without warning, she reached over and took his hand. Her voice was gentle. "Raymond, I won't let things stay like this forever."

Raymond didn't follow. "What do you mean?"

Agnes didn't explain. She just patted the back of his hand, light and warm.

Her touch was soft, and something in his chest tightened.

In all this time, this was the first time she'd voluntarily reached for his hand.

But his mind was at war with itself. Hadn't he decided not to drag her down? To stay behind her, protect her from the shadows?

It seemed... he wasn't very good at keeping that promise.

He dropped Agnes off at the Tidewhisper Lily studio and left.

He didn't dare stay near her another second. He was terrified of falling so deep he'd never climb out.

The moment Agnes walked into the studio, Rita came bouncing over.

"Agnes! You're finally here! Where've you been? We missed you so much!"

Agnes said, "You missed me that bad? We've been video-calling every day."

Rita said, "Video calls don't compare! Seeing you in person is what makes it real!"

Agnes laughed. She and Rita caught up on work.

Just then, a well-dressed woman walked through the door. Every movement radiated elegance.

Rita turned to Agnes immediately.

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