Heartstrings on Fire (Agnes and Jared)

The throbbing pain in her arm yanked Agnes back from her messy head.

And there he was. Jared. Real as the daylight.

Agnes hadn't expected Jared to show up. Especially not now.

Panic flickered through her as an unsettling thought crossed her mind. Wasn't he supposed to be at the company, prepping for the shareholders' meeting? Why was he here?

"Jared, let go of me. Everyone's watching, for heaven's sake."

Their flight was boarding soon. The airport terminal buzzed with travelers, and their small scene had quickly become a spectacle.

But Jared seemed oblivious to her protest, his grip on her arm unyielding as if he feared she might sprout wings and take flight.

His gaze was intense, unwavering as he stared into her eyes. He looked haggard, bloodshot eyes hinting at a sleepless night. His hair was a tousled mess atop his head, and a shadow of stubble darkened his jaw.

It was chilly, yet he wore only a crumpled white shirt and black trousers-the very ones he'd worn the night before.

The scent of tobacco and alcohol clung to him, painting a vivid picture of his night's torments. Agnes could almost see him, drowning his sorrows in a bottle.

Why couldn't Jared let her go?

Her heart ached at the sight of him, this disheveled, desperate version of the man she once knew. But she had to leave. She couldn't be the reason his world fell apart, nor could she bear the thought of Ryder losing his way because of her.

All the things she dreaded, all the debts she owed-this was her chance to settle them.

Yet here was Jared, tangling her in his web once more.

Feeling drained, she said, "Jared, we said our goodbyes last night. Please, don't do this. I have to go. Ryder is waiting for me."

"To hell with him waiting for you.

Agnes, I forbid you to leave. Try

vanishing again and see if net

I don't

ground this damn flight. You can try me."

QUMS

He was back to the Jared she knew all too well-imperious, almost helplessly so.

Agnes had always given in to him in the past.

"Jared, stop being unreasonable. We're done, we have no ties. You can't control my schedule, my life."

"I don't care. The thought of you out there, where I can't see you-it's unbearable. I won't let you go."

Agnes felt the sting of helplessness.

Jared

his

as spiraling out of contro

Seyes red and wild like a b

I almost drunk with

He

Her heart wavered. Jared's sudden appearance had softened her,

like a

obseam. His decline and

obsession pained her. Yet a sliver of

reason remained.

She'd made her decision after much deliberation. If she wavered at his words, she'd fall back into the mire Ryder had warned her about.

Isn't it better to endure a short pain than a prolonged agony?

Agnes looked up, catching a glimpse of Ryder on the upper-level corridor. His face was an icy mask of fury.