Heartstrings on Fire novel Chapter 1019

Agnes suddenly felt a crushing wave of defeat wash over her, as if all her efforts had been for nothing.

Why was she still putting on airs in front of Jared? Why had life become so exhausting, constantly scheming and trying to balance the delicate relationship between these two men? It was because Agnes feared that Ryder might do something even more outrageous if provoked.

All Agnes wanted was to live a peaceful and stable life, alone. But it seemed neither man was willing to let her go. At this point, whether she denied or accepted the situation, it didn't matter. Things had somehow progressed into the very scenario she had hoped to avoid.

In the end, Agnes capitulated without a word. She drove off on her own, with Jared’s car trailing a short distance behind hers. Both cars pulled into the driveway of Maplewood Manor. Agnes didn't get out of her car immediately. Instead, she waited until Jared had stepped out of his vehicle before finally exiting her own.

As Jared was about to enter the house, Agnes stopped short behind him. Jared, reaching the foyer to change his shoes, turned and saw Agnes. "Aren't you coming in?" he asked.

Agnes spoke up, "Jared, let’s call it quits on our arrangement."

Jared frowned, "What do you mean?"

Agnes continued, "It seems to me your insomnia has pretty much improved. And even if it hasn’t, you need to find your own way to deal with it. I’m not your cure-all, and you can’t keep using your health to manipulate me. As for your promise to give me the house if I stayed here for three months, I don’t want it anymore."

Jared retorted, "So, just one meeting with him has shaken you this much?" Jared struggled to control his emotions.

Agnes’s expression shifted slightly. There it was, the familiar tension. In no time at all, they’d likely start arguing again. Agnes was truly tired of it all. Hearing Jared say this, Agnes didn’t even bother to defend herself; she simply turned to leave.

But Jared ran out, grabbing her arm, "I’m sorry, I was wrong." Pain was evident in his eyes. Sometimes, he knew Agnes wasn’t how he pictured her, but her haste to leave always struck a nerve.

Ryder had become his most effective weapon against her. Whenever Agnes hurt him, he reflexively wielded Ryder to hurt both her and himself.

Agnes turned around, "Jared, don’t you find this exhausting? Being with you is so draining. Caught between you and Ryder, I feel like I’m losing my mind. Why me? Why won’t either of you let me go? Have you ever considered my feelings? I’m human too. I’m afraid of you two turning against each other because of me. I’m even more afraid of you hurting yourself over your insomnia. But do you know I also suffer from insomnia every night? You both are so selfish, only caring about your own feelings, pushing for a decision from me as if I’m some object to be won, and going to any lengths to ‘fight’ for it. But I’m not an object; I have emotions and feelings too. Being caught in the middle is torturous, and I’d rather give up everything just to live in peace."