Heartstrings on Fire novel Chapter 989

"Because I love you, Agnes, I love you with every fiber of my being. Do you understand what that's like? Do you know the agony, the quiet desperation, the maddening urge to scream while you have to keep your cool, driving yourself insane? Do you?"

Ryder turned, his hand gripping Agnes's shoulder. "I'm really losing it here. Why do you all have to do this to me? Just when I see a glimmer of hope, you deliver a crushing blow. Agnes, I can't take it anymore. I just can't."

"Ryder, calm down, watch your arm."

Ryder let out a bitter laugh, his expression twisted. "This arm? It's ruined because of you, Agnes. You said you'd take responsibility. You promised. How can you break your word? I've never asked you to love me. I just wanted us to live the life we had for the past three years, a life with just the two of us. Why can't you even grant me that small wish, that tiny bit of hope? Why?"

His agitation was mounting.

Agnes, for her part, was frightened.

She had never seen Ryder like this before.

His fingers were digging into her shoulder as if he was trying to crush her bones.

"Ryder, please, just calm down."

But as she looked at him, words failed her.

His eyes were bloodshot, his gaze fierce, as if he had ripped off the veneer of his usual composed self to reveal the wildness beneath.

"I don't want to calm down; I just want you!"

With that, Ryder bent down to force a kiss on her!

Agnes struggled, pushing him away with all her might, trying to dodge him.

She must have hit his injured arm.

Finally, Ryder let go, wincing with pain.

Agnes replied, "Ryder, don't be like this. Do you think I feel guilty? I don't. You chose to save me; it wasn't my call. I never asked for it, do you understand? I am suffocating from your obsession, and I've had enough. From today on, whatever you do, it has nothing to do with me. If you want to ruin someone's life, go ahead, but leave me out of it. I've only ever seen you as a friend, nothing more, and now, I don't think we even need to be friends. From here on out, you walk your sunny path, and I'll walk my lone bridge. Please, don't disturb my life anymore, and don't use these ridiculous reasons to threaten me. The only reason I came here today was to tell you this."

With those final words, Agnes turned and walked away.

Behind her, Ryder remained motionless, slumped over the desk, his head hung low.

His hair hid his eyes, concealing any expression.

His hands were clenched into fists.

The blood continued to flow from his knuckles.

As Agnes left, tears streamed down her face, unstoppable.