Heartstrings on Fire (Agnes and Jared)
Chapter 953

Agnes frowned in disbelief. What on earth was Jared doing here?

She had intended to ignore him, to simply turn and open her front door.

But there he was, stepping out of his car, approaching with deliberate strides.

The ornate wrought-iron gate of her villa swung open. Agnes stepped inside, ready to slam it shut. But when she turned around, Jared was barely six feet away.

He stood there in the shadows, his gaze heavy and unwavering on Agnes.

That look-it unnerved her, like a cold blade that could slice through her defenses at will, leaving her in distress.

Agnes didn't know why Jared had come, and frankly, she didn't want to know.

With gritted teeth, she tried to close the gate, but Jared was already speaking, "Do I not even deserve a hello from you? Seems a bit heartless, don't you think, Ms. Pritchard?" At the sound of his voice, Agnes felt a wave of exhaustion.

She turned back, flinging the gate wide, "What do you want, Jared?"

She thought she could bear not seeing him, that his absence would ease her pain.

But every glimpse of his face reminded her that her heart was still bleeding.

She didn't know how to end this chapter of their relationship. All she wanted was peace for a few days. If Jared had already let go, why did he keep showing up?

He watched her in silence.

Firmly, Agnes said, "Mr. Whitfield, in the future, try not to loom at someone's doorstep in the dead of night. It's liable to give the wrong impression."

"You can relax. I didn't come here to spy on your sweet nothings or tearful goodbyes. If I'm looking for you, it's because I have a reason."

Agnes knew that Jared must have seen Ryder embracing her earlier.

Just her luck. Whether Ryder kissed her or hugged her, it seemed Jared was always there to witness it.

In Jared's eyes, she and Ryder were definitely star-crossed lovers.

Agnes felt no need to explain. She couldn't blame Jared; if their roles were reversed, she'd think the same. Maybe fate was making sure they both moved on for good. Thinking this way, perhaps it wasn't such a bad thing after all.

Without offering an explanation, Agnes simply asked, "What do you need from me?"

Jared reached into his pocket and produced a cell phone, "This is your phone that you lost in Bronzetown Borough. Someone found it and contacted me."

Agnes was taken aback. She had lost her phone in Bronzetown Borough and had already replaced it. She never expected it to turn up.

That the person found it contacted Jared didn't surprise her-it was her private phone, with few contacts. And Jared's name in her phone was labeled 'Honey.' Naturally, whoever found it would reach out to the closest contact.

But a sudden guilt seized Agnes.

Had Jared seen the label?

She averted her gaze from his, reaching out, "Thanks for bringing it over."

As her fingers grazed the phone, Jared withdrew it and slid it back into his pocket without a word. Confused, Agnes looked up at him.

Jared spoke firmly, "Agnes, there's a lot about me in that phone, private stuff. Since we're done, it shouldn't stay on your phone."

"I promise you, anything about you, I'll delete it tonight," Agnes assured him.

But Jared's tone was icy, "I can't take that risk. You delete it, and then I'll check."