Heartstrings on Fire (Agnes and Jared)

Agnes paused for a moment before lifting her gaze to meet Jared's.

She could tell that Ryder had lost a significant amount of weight. His eyes were sunken, the rims red and bloodshot, speaking volumes of his exhaustion.

"Why did you come here?" Agnes finally said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"How could I not?" Jared replied, with a wry smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "You and Ryder are here."

Agnes wanted to say more, but words failed her. Jared, too, seemed to have lost his desire for conversation.

Twelve hours had passed, and Jared's heart felt like it was being ripped apart every time he replayed the words Agnes had said to Ryder. They cut deep-so deep he wasn't sure he wanted confirmation of their meaning. She had made it crystal clear, she loved Ryder, and as long as he was safe, they would be together. It was a poignant show of loyalty born from adversity.

Ryder had thrown caution to the wind and ventured into danger for her, almost crippling his hand in the process. Jared knew all too well the value of a surgeon's hands, and he was certain Agnes did too. When she had awoken, her first and only concern had been Ryder's wellbeing.

Jared felt like an outsider, stripped even of the right to express concern.

After a heavy silence, Jared asked, "I have to head back today. Are you coming with me tonight, or will you stay here with Ryder?"

"I'll stay," Agnes replied without hesitation. How could she leave at a time like this?

Jared didn't argue. He simply nodded, his voice indifferent as he said, "Okay," before turning on his heel and walking away. Agnes would never know how much it pained him to feign such detachment. He couldn't bear to stay a moment longer. His bond with Agnes was fraying, and the affairs in Willowbrook Town-which weren't urgent-suddenly seemed like a convenient escape.

In the past days, Jared had been on edge. Learning that Agnes was trapped in Bronzetown Borough, he had rushed to her side alone. Landslides had blocked the roads, but he had mustered all his resources to help clear the way, his mind tormented by the thought of her in danger. Sleep had eluded him for five days, and when exhaustion finally took over, his restless slumber was haunted by visions of Agnes crying out for him.

When the roads finally opened, Jared was the first to drive through, despite the risk of aftershocks. Upon reaching the medical camp and hearing of Agnes' near-death experience, he felt as though the air had been sucked from his lungs. Then, seeing her in Ryder's embrace, hearing her confession of love for him, it was as if he had been brought back to life only to have his heart instantly crushed.

As Jared left, Agnes clutched her face, trying and failing to cry. Their relationship had cooled to the point where words were unnecessary. Yet, what was she struggling against? She had initiated the breakup, and Jared was now merely accepting it with calm resignation. Wasn't this the outcome she had wanted? No more struggles, no more pain, no more fights?

Still, she felt an overwhelming sadness, a sorrow so profound it threatened to consume her...