Heartstrings on Fire

Chapter 69

Agnes bolted out of the Century Building and headed back to school. She holed up in the library till late, since she was free in the afternoon.

Jared shot her a text: “When are you coming home?”

Agnes stared at her phone for a moment but didn’t respond.

Soon, Jared called, his voice deep and resonant from the other end: “Got class tonight?”

Agnes answered, “I’ve got a journalism project on my plate, so I’m a bit swamped.”

“When will you be done?”

“I’m not sure, you should hit the sack; don’t wait up for me.”

since they last saw each other, and Agnes missed him. But when she recalled Jared’s cozy moment with Mamie

and she realized she barely knew Jared. Their marriage was initially a farce, but Agnes

in the library. When she was too tired, she caught some Z’s on the couch

sneak home during the day to change and shower, then crash at the library at night, all to avoid bumping into Jared.

of a chicken, but she really didn’t know

at noon, Agnes came home as usual, and finding the coast clear, she dashed for the shower.

on end, Agnes felt groggy and scatterbrained. After showering, she realized she had forgotten to bring a change of clothes. This wasn’t the first time, but the house was empty and the bedroom curtains were drawn tight. She shrugged it off

the moment she stepped out of

was sitting on the couch, his gaze fixed on the bathroom. He was also

and darted back

Then, silence.

herself, her heart pounding like it was

her body as red as a boiled shrimp, her cheeks