Heartstrings on Fire (Agnes and Jared)

Ryder stood poised at the threshold of the VIP lounge.

Today, he seemed to have dressed with deliberate care, donning his attire with a dashing flair.

Clad in a sleek black trench coat, he exuded a restrained, cool charm, reminiscent of a prince straight out of an English oil painting.

Upon catching sight of Agnes, a smile finally graced Ryder's features. It was a warm smile, like a long-held wish fulfilled, brimming with boundless optimism for the future.

Agnes merely held his gaze steadily for a few seconds, her expression icy.

Ryder, I may have agreed to come with you today, but you know we're no longer friends.

From a distance, Ryder watched over Agnes. In his heart, he knew the truth.

He had laid out numerous conditions, but what mattered most to Agnes was sparing Jared from losing everything because of her.

In the end, he had exploited Agnes' love for Jared, and in some ways, he had already severed Agnes' trust in him.

Perhaps she would never again consider him a friend.

But Ryder didn't care.

To him, the label of 'friend' was a double-edged sword. It kept him from straying too far, yet it also barred him from getting too close. He was tired of merely watching from afar.

So, even if he had to personally sever this bond, it was a sacrifice he was willing to make.

Agnes was now approaching him.

With each step she took in his direction, Ryder felt the weight in his chest slowly settle back into place.

He had spent the entire day here, didn't drink or eat, his only worry being that Agnes might not show.

She said she needed time to think. So, he had called her, reiterating last night's conditions.

Still, doubt lingered in Ryder's mind.

But ultimately, Agnes had appeared.

Ryder had never felt such elation.

It signified the chance to flee this

place

cultivate their future. Cost

ether, to personally

s to en.swvel.net

Yes, a life and a future belonging

solely to the two of them, that

his

jooles

source of waret

belongs

Agnes, luggage in tow, moved

by

Stewards him. With e

ent

heart sank a little,

She was out of options, and she was leaving for real this time.

Why was her heart filled with such sorrow, such reluctance?

Since the previous night, she had managed to keep thoughts of Jared at bay.

Even dwelling on memories from over a decade ago hadn't brought Jared to mind. But now, she couldn't help herself.

Jared's face, his lonely, forlorn figure, haunted her thoughts.

Each step felt like walking on the blade of a knife, the pain almost unbearable.

Jared's face was all she could see, his voice echoing in her ears.

She felt a sense of finality.

Agnes even thought she heard Jared shouting her name.

Yet, she stopped in her tracks.

Almost reflexively, she turned around.

Was it an illusion?

A figure burst into the room from the entrance, rapidly closing the distance.

Agnes had been holding back tears, but now they fell uncontrollably.

Even if it was just an illusion, she was grateful to see him one last time.

But soon enough, Agnes realized this was no illusion.

The pain in her arm, where she was tightly gripped, was real.

Jared clutched Agnes' arm, his voice deep and stern, "Agnes, don't go. I won't let you."