Heartstrings on Fire novel Chapter 1067

Jared seemed to sense that something was wrong.

"Agnes, what on earth happened? Tell me, please, just tell me what's going on," Jared pressed, his voice laced with concern.

Agnes kept her head low, her fingers tightly intertwined. Yet, her grip on Jared's hand was firm, so much so that his hand turned pale under her grasp.

For a long while, Agnes remained silent, but then, out of nowhere, she managed to choke out, "I'm sorry."

Hearing those words, Jared felt a chill run down his spine, as if he already knew what was coming next.

"Why are you apologizing, Agnes? What are you planning to do? You know how much I hate those words. You're thinking of leaving again, aren't you? What did he offer you, Agnes? Tell me," Jared demanded, his grip on Agnes's shoulders tightening.

Agnes felt utterly drained, as if her soul had been sucked out of her. If it weren't for Jared holding her, she felt she might collapse.

She didn't know what to say. The words she needed to express would be too cruel for Jared to hear.

Tears welled up in Agnes's eyes, but she remained silent.

Finally, Jared's gaze shifted towards Ryder.

For the first time, he addressed Ryder by his full name, "Ryder, what game are you playing now?"

Ryder, unfazed by Jared's tone, didn't mind being addressed more formally. At least, he thought, in Jared's eyes, he was now seen as a rival, a man, not just a younger relative forever.

With a cool yet nonchalant demeanor, Ryder said, "Since Agnes can't bring herself to tell you, I'll do it."

He walked over to Agnes, suddenly putting an arm around her shoulders, and announced, "Uncle, Agnes and I are planning to get married."

All Agnes could do now was to find a way to clear Jared's name.

He didn't deserve to be here, carrying such burdens. But this was the only way out.

Jared still looked incredulous.

Agnes expected him to lash out, to lose control, as he had in the past whenever she mentioned leaving. But he didn't.

Instead, Jared was eerily calm, quickly regaining his composure.

"Agnes, tell me, did he force you into this? Are you trying to save me? You don't have to do this; I can handle my own problems. You shouldn't have to make such a sacrifice."