Heartstrings on Fire (Agnes and Jared)

Somewhere along the line, Agnes started to feel bone-deep exhaustion every time she saw Jared, mingled with an inexplicable dread.

It wasn't Jared himself she feared, it was the constant bickering and conflict that came with him.

Each clash left her feeling as if she were being flayed alive.

After a heavy silence, Jared finally spoke, "Agnes, I didn't come here to fight." It seemed he saw right through her weariness. He continued, "If you've made your choice, I respect it."

Agnes felt confused. What choice had she made? But after pondering for a moment, she got his drift.

Jared had misunderstood her situation with Ryder, probably because of what he had just witnessed.

Yet, Agnes didn't know how to explain herself. Or even if she needed to.

Things with Jared were already so fraught.

Even if there was a misunderstanding, she felt no obligation to clarify.

What difference would it make?

Head bowed, Agnes muttered, "Okay, I understand."

Jared clung to a sliver of hope, wishing she would deny it.

But even if she did deny it, would he believe her? He had seen what he'd seen, hadn't he?

In that instant, Jared knew, perhaps it was time to let go.

Four years earlier, when they divorced, he hadn't felt this way.

When Agnes vanished into thin air four years ago, the thought of letting go had never crossed his mind. But now, he truly felt he could no longer hold on.

Agnes no longer had feelings for him, and it wasn't due to any hatred or tangible barrier.

Looking at Agnes, Jared felt something vital being stripped away within him. He desperately wanted to hold on, but Jared knew that Agnes had become like sand slipping through his fingers, the harder he gripped, the faster it escaped.

"Agnes, I'm truly heartbroken." After what felt like an eternity, Jared finally uttered those words, then he turned to leave.

His voice was slightly choked, "Whatever choice you make, I still wish you happiness."

The blessing was a lie for them, but a truth for her alone.

Jared walked away, feeling a sorrow he couldn't articulate, like losing all hope, as if the most vibrant part of his life was being forcibly extracted.

He once thought he had brought her back.

After Jared left, Agnes sat staring blankly for a long time until Alyssa walked in.

Agnes looked at Alyssa numbly.

Seeing Agnes' forlorn state, Alyssa asked, "Agnes, are you alright?"

There wasn't much reproach in Alyssa's eyes, but a deep sense of helplessness was present.

Many things had unfolded just as she anticipated, like the irresistible forces of fate.

The truth was, Agnes wasn't to blame. Neither were Ryder nor Jared.

It was just the cruel jest of fate, like a script written in jest by an unseen hand.

And no matter how strong one was, how could anyone resist destiny?

Agnes said, "I'm sorry, I didn't keep my promise to you. I said I wouldn't see Ryder again, but..."

She trailed off, unsure of what to say.

Yet, it felt like fate kept pushing Ryder back into her life, making him impossible to reject, making her perpetually indebted.