Heartstrings on Fire

Chapter 746
The word aunt seemed to strike a raw nerve in Ryder. That word had been his worst enemy for the longest time. He had spent
four years, four years of tireless efforts, trying to rid himself of the association with that term. But now, he had simply gone
overseas to conduct a seminar. And suddenly, everything seemed to revert to the past.
The cage that had been hanging over his head came crashing down, trapping him once again.
Ryder simply could not accept it. Even though he had matured and become calm over the years, seeing the guilt on Agnes‘ face,
he understood everything and couldn’t bear it any longer.
Agnes, having spent so many years with Ryder, had come to understand his character.
People often said that Dr. Ryder was cold, that he was an iceberg in human form. But Agnes knew that Ryder was simply used
to hiding behind an icy exterior to protect himself.
Beneath that cold exterior, Ryder was a man of flesh and blood, with warm emotions.
Turning to Jared, Agnes said, Td like to have a word with Ryder in private.”
Agnes was afraid that the two might come to blows again.
I’ll be in my room, then, Jared responded.
Agnes then moved to the small balcony on the second floor, and Ryder followed suit.
For the first time, Ryder couldn’t hold back. He grabbed Agnes‘ hand, “Tell me what’s going on.”
‘I’m sorry, Ryder Agnes began.
As soon as she uttered those words, Ryder knew the answer. For years, Agnes had been apologizing to him, saying ‘I’m sorry
over and over again. These words had become a recurring nightmare for him.
Sometimes, even in his dreams, Agnes‘ apologies would jolt him awake.
Jared never thought that such a dream would become reality.

Ryder could no longer hide his feelings. His fingers were tightly clenched, his voice revealing an indescribable pain, “Why...why
could my uncle succeed in less than three months when I couldn’t in three years? What did he have that I didn’t? Was I not good
enough for you?”
Ryder never thought he would ever ask such a pitiful, childish question. It was like a line from a melodramatic soap opera. But
deep down, Ryder already
knew the answer.
Love wasn’t something that could be reciprocated just because you treated someone well
if your love wasn’t what the other person wanted, then it was just a one–sided affair
“Ryder, you’re great, you’re exceptional You don’t need to compare yourself to Jared. You’re different, Agnes said.
To me, it’s all the same. From childhood to adulthood. I never fought or competed for anything. My uncle always received more
attention from my grandfather, more affection from my mother, more of everything. My grandfather wanted me to study finance,
but to avoid conflict with my uncle, I chose medicine instead I didn’t mind all of this, but what I can’t accept is how the one thing I
wanted was always taken away by him. I accepted it when you two got married, but what about now? Did my three years of
companionship mean nothing? Can’t you see the sacrifices I’ve made for Nocturne? Agnes, I don’t understand, I don’t
understand how he could defeat me so easily
Agnes‘ heart ached as well. How could she not understand Ryder’s sacrifices over the years?