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 Agnesâ face, he understood everything and couldnât 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.â
Agnes was afraid that the two might come to blows again.
Iâll 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 couldnât hold back. He grabbed Agnesâ hand, âTell me whatâs going on.â
âIâm sorry, Ryder Agnes began.
As soon as she uttered those words, Ryder knew the answer. For years, Agnes had been apologizing to him, saying âIâm sorry over and over again. These words had become a recurring nightmare for him.
Sometimes, even in his dreams, Agnesâ 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, âWhy...why could my uncle succeed in less than three months when I couldnât in three years? What did he have that I didnât? Was I not good enough for you?â
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 wasnât something that could be reciprocated just because you treated someone well if your love wasnât what the other person wanted, then it was just a oneâsided affair âRyder, youâre great, youâre exceptional You donât need to compare yourself to Jared. Youâre different, Agnes said.
To me, itâs 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 didnât mind all of this, but what I canât 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? Canât you see the sacrifices Iâve made for Nocturne? Agnes, I donât understand, I donât understand how he could defeat me so easily Agnesâ heart ached as well. How could she not understand Ryderâs sacrifices over the years?