Covetousness

Heartstrings of Destiny #7

Warning: Make out session

Jhoanna's confession

Just as the weight of Gwen's letter begins to overwhelm you, the door creaks open, and you glance up to see Jhoanna stepping in, looking as tired and worn as you feel. Her eyes are darkened by exhaustion, her shoulders slightly slumped, yet somehow, she manages to carry an air of resilience. She’s always been there, quietly enduring the distance you’ve created, a silent but steady presence beside you every night. Seeing her standing there, you feel a pang of guilt settle in your chest.

Quickly, you fold the letter, hiding it away as if the words could somehow reveal all the emotions you’ve been bottling up. You clear your throat, shifting uncomfortably under her gaze. She doesn’t say anything, but the hurt in her eyes is unmistakable—a mixture of longing and quiet patience.

“Oh… you’re here,” you manage to say, the words sounding more hollow than you intended, a flimsy attempt to acknowledge her presence after days of silence. Trying to bridge the gap, even if just slightly, you add, “I, uh… I cooked. You should eat something.” The words feel foreign on your tongue, and you wonder if she can tell how nervous you are, how much effort it took just to reach out.

Jhoanna freezes, her wide eyes searching yours as if she can’t quite believe what she’s hearing. Her mouth opens slightly, and for a moment, she looks as if she’s been struck by lightning. Her gaze softens, and you watch as her initial shock melts into something warmer, more tender.

“Y/N… did you just… did you just talk to me?” Her voice trembles slightly, and her eyes begin to glisten with unshed tears. There’s a rawness in her expression that you hadn’t expected, a vulnerability that feels almost sacred. It’s as if your words have reached some hidden part of her, a place she’s been protecting but desperately wanting you to find.

You nod, the gesture feeling awkward and uncertain, unsure of what else to say. Before you can even process it, she lets out a soft, breathless laugh, and then she’s moving toward you, her excitement bubbling over. Her face lights up with a radiant smile, a look of pure relief and joy that makes her seem younger, as if the weight she’s been carrying has suddenly been lifted.

“You finally spoke to me!” she exclaims, her voice brimming with unrestrained happiness. She bounces on her toes, grinning from ear to ear, as though your words were all she ever needed. “I thought I was dreaming for a second. Do you know how long I’ve been waiting just to hear you say anything?”

Her energy is contagious, and you feel yourself softening, a small crack forming in the wall you’ve built around yourself. You don’t have the words to respond, but it doesn’t seem to matter to her. She’s too caught up in the moment, her voice flowing with everything she’s been holding back.

“Y/N, I’ve missed you so much! You don’t even know how hard it’s been just… waiting. Trying to give you space, but also wanting to pull you out of whatever dark corner you’ve been hiding in.” She stops, taking a shaky breath, her eyes scanning your face with a mixture of hope and fear, as if she’s worried this might be the last time you’ll let her in.

Her words hit you like a tidal wave, filling you with a warmth you’ve almost forgotten. “I… I know,” you whisper, barely able to meet her gaze. “I’m sorry, Jhoanna. I didn’t mean to…”

But before you can finish, she squeezes your hands, shaking her head. “No, don’t apologize! Just… talk to me, Y/N. You don’t even have to say much; just let me be here. Let me be a part of what’s going on, even if it’s hard.”

The sincerity in her voice wraps around you like a blanket, comforting yet disarming. You swallow, feeling emotions rise in your chest, and for the first time, you’re unable to hide from them. The tenderness in her gaze makes you feel exposed, yet strangely safe, as if she’s offering you a place to rest after everything you’ve been through.