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.”

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

with his explanation, and she realized she barely knew Jared. Their marriage was initially a farce, but Agnes found herself taking it

library. When she was too tired, she caught

day to change and shower, then crash

a chicken, but she really didn’t know how to face Jared. On the fourth day. Jared found

noon, Agnes came home as usual, and finding the coast clear,

in the library for days 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

dumbstruck the moment she stepped out

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

around, and darted back into the bathroom, slamming

Then, silence.

hugged herself, her heart pounding like it was about to leap out of

as red as a boiled shrimp,