Heartstrings on Fire (Agnes and Jared)

Jared suddenly broke the silence, "Agnes, I honestly never realized how Valeria felt about me... I'm sorry, I've been so oblivious. I've let you down, but I'm willing to change. She's left her job at the Tim Group. I really can change. Anything you don't like about me, I'll fix it."

A nameless fear had taken root in Jared's heart.

It had started growing the moment Agnes mentioned leaving, and now it was all-consuming.

The misunderstanding had been because of Valeria.

Jared had always thought Agnes was just being unreasonable.

But now he knew that she was right the whole time.

Agnes finally spoke up, "Did Ms. Thomas confess her feelings to you?"

Valeria must have declared her love for Jared to prompt him to say such things.

But Agnes hadn't expected Valeria to resign from the Tim Group.

Jared pleaded, "I'm sorry, Agnes. Can you give me another chance?"

The humility in his voice was something Agnes had never witnessed in Jared before.

This side of him, so begging and forlorn, caused Agnes immense heartache.

Even if she had misunderstood the situation, even if there was nothing romantic between Jared and Valeria. Even if their relationship was purely professional. But now, it was too late to turn back, wasn't it?

Agnes felt exhausted. There were only two paths in front of her since she had decided to say goodbye. She knew she couldn't turn back, nor did she want to. Because the problems between her and Jared weren't just about Valeria.

"Don't do this, Jared," Agnes said softly. "I'm not worth of your doing this, nobody is. And for what it's worth, Ms. Thomas is a decent person."

Disappointment deepened in Jared's eyes until it seemed to envelop him like a cloud of smoke.

It was as if invisible hands were squeezing his throat.

Jared managed a weak smile. Then slowly, he turned away from Agnes.

Of course, she wouldn't agree. Their problems had never been about Valeria.

Agnes' heart had changed. Her thoughts were entirely consumed by Ryder now.

How could a simple plea bring her back to him?

It was all so futile.

Perhaps in Agnes' eyes, he was just a pitiful joke.

Yes, in her presence, he had been reduced to nothing. But even so, he couldn't earn a shred of her sympathy.

Jared was tired too.

The image of Agnes leaving with Ryder that evening made him feel utterly superfluous. For so long, he'd been telling himself she had changed, that her heart belonged to someone else. Why was it still so hard to accept?

The fickleness of the human heart was the only constant truth.

Yet there he was, clinging to the remnants of their memories, unable to let go.

Humans naturally seek pleasure and avoid pain.

Their relationship had been like scalding water in a glass cup, burning him, yet he held on tight.

But now, he felt he might have to let go, because it hurt too much.

After a long silence, Jared finally said, "Just go. Leave now."

He didn't want to see Agnes for another second.

He felt something spiraling out of control and feared he couldn't restrain himself any longer.

He even feared the thought that had crossed his mind, of keeping her trapped by his side.

The idea terrified him.