"So you're saying, your relationship with Kearney was all a ruse, and you were merely posing as his date tonight?"
Agnes hadn't expected to confess so openly, but Jared seized on her admission immediately.
He'd initially assumed Agnes and Kearney were a couple.
Now, with Agnes herself declaring their engagement was a sham, was their entire relationship a farce too?
At this point, Agnes felt there was no point in hiding the truth so she told him, "I'm simply good friends with Kearney, like siblings, and there's no romantic involvement. Besides, he already has someone he's interested in," Agnes said.
A weight lifted off Jared's chest. In reality, he knew. The way Kearney looked at Agnes was different from an ordinary man. A man wouldn't look at a woman he loves in such a platonic way.
Despite his suspicions, seeing Agnes standing next to Kearney was something Jared found unbearable. Hearing the truth straight from Agnes, Jared felt a sense of relief.
Jared took a step forward, pressing on, "And what about Ryder? You claimed to be engaged to him in Manhattan, was that false too?"
Agnes was taken aback, finding Jared relentless.
Seeing the curiosity in Jared's eyes, perhaps it was the enchanting moonlight tonight, or perhaps his intense sorrow had affected her, Agnes decided to admit, "Yes, that was false too. My relationship with Ryder was purely professional, as a doctor and a patient's family member. When I ran into him in Manhattan, it was a coincidence. I harbored resentment towards you because of Alyssa, and there was no way I could let go of that grudge and be with him. Over the years, I've expended all my energy on life and treating my son. I haven't had the time for romance."
Everything was as Jared suspected, despite all that had transpired, and despite Ryder claiming to be engaged to Agnes, and hinting at cohabitation in Manhattan, Jared held onto his doubts.
He knew Ryder's character. If Ryder had truly obtained something, he would be quiet about it, just like how he had kept track of Agnes's whereabouts over the years.
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