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.