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.”

be told, Jared was all she could think about the whole day. 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,

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

was too tired, she caught some Z’s on the couch

on end, she would sneak home during the day to change and shower,

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

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

wasn’t the first time, but the house was empty and the bedroom curtains were drawn tight.

was dumbstruck the moment she stepped

the bathroom. He was also stunned when he saw Agnes walk out naked.

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

Then, silence.

heart pounding like it was about

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