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, âLook, I know youâre in a bad mood, but could you stop balling up your fists? I donât want to bandage up your hands again.â Ryder strolled in. âUncle,â he called.
Jared finally looked up, but he was giving Ryder the stink eye.
âHowâs your hand?â Ryderâs tone was icy.
Valeria moved to Ryderâs side, tugged at his arm and murmured, âNowâs not the time to talk to him, you know full well...â
âValeria,â Ryder interrupted, âI need to have a word with my uncle. Could you give us a moment?â
Valeria glanced at Jared, hesitated, then finally left the room.
She didnât close the door, and didnât 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, âYou must have some questions Iâm here to clear the air. Iâll answer everything truthfully.â Jared finally lifted his head, his gaze icy and stern.
âWhy didnât you tell me?â Jared blurted out.
It might be confusing to others, but they both knew what he meant.
Ryder said, âAre you pissed that I knew about Agnes and didnât tell you? I did it on purpose. I didnât want you barging into Agnesâ
life.â
Jared scoffed, âMe barging into her life? I think youâre watching your own back.
Ryder admitted coolly, âOf course Iâm watching my back. Iâve 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, Iâm getting a head start.â
Ryderâs tone was even.
Jared, however, couldnât hold back anymore. He shot up in anger, grabbed Ryder by the collar and spat, âA head start, huh? Do you even see me as your uncle anymore, Ryder? Do you have any idea what hell Iâve been through these past four years? Do you know how much energy Iâve poured into searching for her? And you stabbed me in the back when I was at my lowest. And you still call me âuncleâ, after everything Iâve done for you!â
A cold light flickered in Ryderâs eyes.
He stared back at Jared, his voice still calm but challenging, âDo you know what my life has been like all these years? Do you know the pain Iâve 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 âauntâ? Iâve tried to compromise and back off. If you two had been happy, I mightâve stayed in Manhattan forever, never coming back. I gave you a chance, but you blew it. Now, I wonât back down. Iâm done loving her from the shadows. Iâm going to marry Agnes and weâll live our lives together. I hope you wonât interfere.â
âIn your dreams!â
Jared swung his fist, aiming a punch at Ryder.