Heartstrings on Fire (Agnes and Jared)

Would the outcome be any different now? But fate has a cruel sense of humor. It seemed like him and Agnes were always missing each other, one missed opportunity after another. Jared had always known that Ryder was looking for a chance to break through the psychological defenses that Agnes had fortified around her heart.

That was what had been gnawing at her, the source of her deepest fears and frustrations.

But now, Jared had no need to worry.

Ironically, he felt a sense of relief.

He remembered a line from an old movie, so melodramatic it was almost laughable.

"When you're with me, I'm always scared you'll leave. But once you're gone, I don't have to worry anymore."

At the time, it had seemed like such a contradiction, a needless moan. But when you're in too deep, you realize those melodramatic lines aren't just for show; they're the raw truth.

They looked at each other in the dark, silent.

Slowly, they both masked their emotions.

What was left were calm, impassive gazes, as if walls had been built around their hearts.

Eventually, no one could see through anything...

Jared was the first to break the silence, "Let's get some sleep."

"Sure," Agnes replied tersely.

Then, almost in unison, they turned their backs to each other.

However, neither was at peace, each lost in their own thoughts...

The next morning, Agnes woke up early.

Upon waking, she found Esther snuggled up close, like a warm, fluffy little bundle.

Just looking at that innocent face, Agnes felt as if a feather was softly stroking the softest part of her heart.

Agnes gently shifted away, unable to resist planting a kiss on Esther's chubby cheek.

There's a term in this world called "healing."

And Esther had the quintessential healing face; just looking at her lifted the spirits.

Agnes quietly got out of bed.

Jared was already up, though the time was uncertain.

But Nocturne was still asleep on the makeshift bed on the floor.

The place had underfloor heating, so it wasn't cold at all.

Still, Agnes got out of bed, picked up Nocturne, and tucked him into bed next to Esther.

Esther seemed to be disturbed, furrowing her brows and humming discontentedly, then she turned over, hugged Nocturne's arm, and drifted back to sleep. Agnes dressed and tiptoed out of the room.

As she left, she noticed smoke curling up from the chimney of the adjacent kitchen.

Agnes walked over.

It was Jared, making breakfast in a small kitchen.

There was no gas stove, only an old-fashioned wood-fired range that had been unused for a long time.

Mr. Hanson used to have his meals brought over from the main hall, as this kitchen had not seen use in years.

But since Jared's arrival, he had cleaned it up, turning it into a spotless little kitchen.

And now, he was visiting the town's farmer's market every morning to buy fresh ingrediances to cook with.

Even Mr. Hanson had started joining them for meals in the backyard.

Jared was frying eggs, farm-fresh with a rich golden hue.

Entering the kitchen, Agnes was greeted by the rich aroma.

"You've been cooking here these past few days?" Agnes asked as she approached.

Jared just hummed in affirmation.

He was the CEO of the Tim Group, a powerhouse in the business world known as the Kearney Killer. Yet now, he was like a different person altogether, cooking and doing laundry in this simple place. Agnes couldn't fathom what was going through Jared's mind.