Heartstrings On Fire

Chapter 581
Jared was slumped on the couch, looking like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders.
His eyes were restless, darting around.
Valeria frowned, “Look, I know you’re in a bad mood, but could you stop balling up your fists? I don’t want to bandage up your
hands again.” Ryder strolled in. “Uncle,” he called.
Jared finally looked up, but he was giving Ryder the stink eye.
“How’s your hand?” Ryder’s tone was icy.
Valeria moved to Ryder’s side, tugged at his arm and murmured, “Now’s not the time to talk to him, you know full well...”
“Valeria,” Ryder interrupted, “I need to have a word with my uncle. Could you give us a moment?”
Valeria glanced at Jared, hesitated, then finally left the room.
She didn’t close the door, and didn’t stray too far.
Jared was like a wild beast on the brink of lashing out, and Valeria was clearly still worried.
Ryder stood beside Jared, calmly saying, “You must have some questions I’m here to clear the air. I’ll answer everything
truthfully.” Jared finally lifted his head, his gaze icy and stern.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Jared blurted out.
It might be confusing to others, but they both knew what he meant.
Ryder said, “Are you pissed that I knew about Agnes and didn’t tell you? I did it on purpose. I didn’t want you barging into Agnes‘
life.”
Jared scoffed, “Me barging into her life? I think you’re watching your own back.
Ryder admitted coolly, “Of course I’m watching my back. I’ve had feelings for Agnes since college. My feelings for her are just as
real as yours, but I was one stepping late. You once told me not to make the same mistake twice. So, this time, I’m getting a
head start.”

Ryder’s tone was even.
Jared, however, couldn’t hold back anymore. He shot up in anger, grabbed Ryder by the collar and spat, “A head start, huh? Do
you even see me as your uncle anymore, Ryder? Do you have any idea what hell I’ve been through these past four years? Do
you know how much energy I’ve poured into searching for her? And you stabbed me in the back when I was at my lowest. And
you still call me ‘uncle‘, after everything I’ve done for you!”
A cold light flickered in Ryder’s eyes.
He stared back at Jared, his voice still calm but challenging, “Do you know what my life has been like all these years? Do you
know the pain I’ve been through? Do you know how much it hurt when Agnes was smiling in your arms? Do you know how I felt
every time you forced me to call her ‘aunt‘? I’ve tried to compromise and back off. If you two had been happy, I might’ve stayed in
Manhattan forever, never coming back. I gave you a chance, but you blew it. Now, I won’t back down. I’m done loving her from
the shadows. I’m going to marry Agnes and we’ll live our lives together. I hope you won’t interfere.”
“In your dreams!”
Jared swung his fist, aiming a punch at Ryder.