Agnes stood with her back to Jared, a silence stretching between them before she finally broke it. "I guess it's time I moved out, Jared. We're just not cut out to live under the same roof."
Jared felt a wave of disappointment crash over him, though he had anticipated this reaction from her the moment the words left his lips.
"Is it Ryder you're worried about? Or are you just too scared to live with me?"
His voice had taken on an icy edge.
Agnes turned to face him. "Jared, it's not about being scared or worrying about Ryder. I just don't want to. I've just clawed my way out of a mess, and I don't plan on getting mired in another one. I can't figure you out. You keep coming up with excuses to show up, what's it really about? Can't let go of me? You're always so hot and cold. Some choices, once you make them, you shouldn't regret them, okay?"
But Jared suddenly stood up. "But I do regret them, Agnes. I regret everything!"
She froze, rooted to the spot, unsure of how to react as her heart began to race, threatening to burst from her chest.
Jared was already by her side, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her into a kiss that felt like the culmination of pent-up emotions and the victory of impulse over reason.
For a moment, Agnes was stunned, her mind a blank slate until Jared's taste filled her mouth, and she realized she too was overwhelmed with longing. She didn't want to push him away; she wanted to cling to him for eternity.
But Agnes came to her senses. She knew that falling for him again would just be repeating past mistakes.
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