Heartstrings on Fire novel Chapter 996

Agnes knew deep down that she was speaking the truth. Many of the problems between them were her own. Love alone couldn't guarantee a lifetime of happiness. Sometimes, it was quite the opposite. Agnes had thought about it a lot and realized that she had issues to work on herself. However, clarity and solutions still eluded her.

Jared broke the silence, "You don't need to find balance on your own. Leave it to me. I'll give you all the security you need. I'll love you with all my heart and trust you completely. How about that?"

Agnes shook her head, "Jared, your love is too overbearing. Sometimes, it's suffocating. That's one reason why I think we're not right for each other."

Jared fell silent. The car had pulled up to the grand entrance of Maplewood Manor.

Agnes continued, "And there's something else, really important. I want you to be able to live a normal life without me. You can't be so dependent. What if one day I'm gone, or something happens to me? You can't just stop living."

To Agnes, the concept seemed exaggerated. She remembered mocking those melodramatic TV dramas where characters were engulfed in life-and-death romances. Popcorn in hand, she'd scoffed, "Is all that drama really necessary? The world keeps turning with or without anyone."

But she hadn't expected Jared to embody that drama. His emotional reliance on her surpassed everything else. During the four years they spent apart, Agnes managed to live her life and pursue other interests. Memories of him brought pain, but she kept hope alive and moved forward. Jared, however, had spent those years searching for her, fueled by a mix of resentment and a slim hope.

Reuniting only highlighted Jared's unhealthy dependence on her. It was, Agnes feared, a sickness. A bone-deep loneliness. Jared had met many people in his life, but few had truly entered it. Agnes might be the one who could cure his solitude. It wasn't arrogance on her part. It was a realization—without her, Jared relied on sleeping pills. Together, he slept soundly. To Agnes, that was a serious issue.

"You won't have an accident," Jared stated firmly.

"But what if?" Agnes pressed.

"There are no what-ifs."

Agnes sighed deeply, "Jared, you need to face this. Life is full of uncertainties. Even if we're together, it's unlikely we'd die on the same day. One of us will have to deal with the pain and loneliness of loss. What if that person is you? How will you cope? You need to confront your loneliness and not place all your hopes and warmth on me."

"So, is that why you're rejecting me?"

"It's not just that. The main thing is, I don't want to be caught in the whirlpool of a relationship. I want to be alone right now."

Jared replied, "Then go. Don't worry about me."

With that, Jared stepped out of the car and into Maplewood Manor. He seemed upset again.

Agnes sighed. She had intended to leave. But in the end, she followed him inside. Jared was in his room, drowning his sorrows in a bottle of XO brandy.