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 yesterday, she

explain, but Agnes was not satisfied with his explanation, and she realized she barely knew Jared. Their marriage was initially a farce, but Agnes

library. When she was too tired, she

and shower, then crash at the

admitted she was a bit of a chicken, but she really didn’t know

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

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 moment she stepped out of the

his gaze fixed on the bathroom. He was also stunned when he saw

screamed, quickly turned around, and darted back into the bathroom, slamming the glass door shut.

Then, silence.

pounding like it was about to

see herself in the bathroom mirror, her body as red as a boiled shrimp,