Heartstrings on Fire (Agnes and Jared)

Jared suddenly spoke up, "It's too late to fuss about it. Esther, you bunk with Agnes in the bed. Nocturne, you're with me on the floor."

Agnes let out a weary sigh.

But there was no hint of emotion in Jared's voice, so maybe this was nothing to him.

Despite sharing a room, the presence of two kids made it all seem innocent.

Agnes felt that any further protest would just be prudish.

Besides, Nocturne had a knack for spotting lies.

She didn't know how long she could keep her relationship with Jared a secret.

But she intended to keep it under wraps for as long as possible.

Nocturne had the insight of an adult, and Agnes didn't want to hurt him.

Esther nestled contentedly into Agnes' embrace.

Peeking out from Agnes' arms, her bright eyes shimmering, Esther whispered, "Ms. Agnes, do you know? Last time you held me while I slept, I thought, if I had a mom, she'd hold me just like this. She'd be just like you."

The words struck a chord in Agnes, and she felt a pang of sadness.

She stroked Esther's hair, "If I had a daughter, I'd want her to be as sweet as you."

Esther's laughter filled the room, "Ms. Agnes, I'm going to sleep now. Goodnight."

"Sleep tight, goodnight," Agnes replied softly.

Esther soon drifted off to sleep in the crook of Agnes' arm.

Nocturne was also fast asleep on his makeshift bed on the floor, his head resting on Jared's outstretched arm.

From where Agnes lay, she could just make out the profiles of the sleeping duo.

Both were lying on their sides, mirroring each other's position.

Nocturne's features seemed to increasingly resemble Jared's.

Agnes watched them, a mix of emotions swirling inside her, leaving her feeling tearful.

They had been separated for four years, and their brief moments of happiness and peace now seemed so fleeting.

All that tranquility was a mere illusion, she realized; the world could change everything in an instant.

Unable to sleep, Agnes' mind wandered.

The steady breathing of the children was the only sound that brought some peace to her racing thoughts.

Jared seemed to be asleep too.

Only with his eyes closed did Agnes dare to gaze upon him so freely.

But then, suddenly, he opened his eyes.

In the darkness, Jared's deep-set eyes were like the vast sea under a night sky-serene on the surface, yet concealing a world of depth and turbulence underneath. Agnes' heart skipped a beat.

Their eyes locked, and in that silent moment, vulnerability washed over her.

No words were exchanged, only a silent conversation through their stares.

Jared simply watched Agnes intently.

He had felt her gaze from the moment it landed on him.

Yet, now, Jared could no longer decipher the emotions hidden behind Agnes' eyes.

Such complexity, tinged with an indescribable pain. What was she grieving over?

Perhaps there was still a hint of reluctance to let go of him? There must have been.

Sometimes, Jared thought, fate had a way of presenting an alternate path under certain circumstances. He pondered the what-ifs.

If he had been the one to see Agnes reporting the earthquake news from Bronzetown Borough.

If he had been the one to rush to her side.

If the mountain roads had not collapsed.

If he had been the one to stand by her through those life-and-death moments.

Even if it meant being the one left with a crippled hand.