Heartstrings on Fire (Agnes and Jared)
Chapter 651

Agnes was no fool; she generally picked up technical skills quite quickly.

But for some reason, forming the pies just didn't come naturally to her, no matter how many times Jared tried to teach her.

Of course, it didn't help matters that Jared was standing uncomfortably close to her as he tried to guide her hands.

He'd lean up to her ear to whisper instructions, his low voice sending shivers down her spine as his lips occasionally brushed against her earlobe.

Agnes' ears turned a bright red and she could hear nothing but the pounding of her own heart.

Jared's warm hands covered her chilly ones as he patiently guided her through the motions of forming the pies.

Agnes' hands were icy cold, but Jared's were warm and comforting.

It was a warmth she had missed.

She suddenly remembered a winter during college when she loved dragging Jared along on trips to the food trucks lining their campus.

When her hands got cold, Jared would clasp her hand in his own and tuck it into his pocket.

It was warm.

But remembering it now, it was painful.

Those memories flooded her mind and she pushed Jared away, her voice faltering, "Forget it, I'm done. I'll help Nana in the kitchen."

With that, she retreated to the kitchen, leaving Jared standing alone, lost in thought.

Their son, Nocturne, sauntered over to Jared, said, "Mom's probably mourning the past, isn't she? Your plan worked pretty well. You should use it more often."

Jared couldn't help but chuckle, reaching out to ruffle Nocturne's hair and saying, "You're quite the clever one, aren't you?"

Despite having flour smudged on his face, Nocturne didn't seem to mind, replying seriously, "Books say that casual physical contact can promote the secretion of dopamine." Frowning, Jared asked, "What kind of books are you reading?"

"I like math, physics, and chemistry, but I also read 'Intimate Relationships' and 'The Chemistry of Love'. I have a broad range of interests."

Jared shook his head, "You should be reading 'Grimm's Fairy Tales' and 'Aesop's Fables'. You need to learn how to be a kid."

Nocturne looked up at him, "Did you like those stories when you were a kid?"

After a moment, Jared admitted, "No, I didn't."

"Exactly. Why should I like something you didn't?"

With that, Nocturne turned and followed his mother into the kitchen, leaving a stunned Jared in his wake.

His son...was he growing up too fast?

Before long, dinner was ready.

The four of them gathered around the small square table, digging into the delicious meat pies as the winter wind howled outside.

Frost formed on the windows, but inside it was warm and inviting, the aroma of the food filling the air.

The soup was a rich chicken broth that warmed them from the inside out.

Agnes hadn't shared a meal with Nana in far too long.

She hadn't felt the comfort and warmth of family in ages.

She found herself longing for time to slow down, to savor this moment.

Because she knew there might not be a next time.

Once she left Comfort Oasis Retirement Home, she and Jared would be worlds apart again.

But for now, they seemed to have set aside their differences, enjoying this fleeting moment of warmth and peace...