Woven in Shadows (agatha x rio)

Shattered Walls

Chapter Eleven: Shattered Walls

Agatha took Rio's hand, her grip firm but trembling and led her up the narrow staircase. Behind them, Nessa's muffled sobs filled the silence, but neither woman looked back. Rio followed without question, though her mind churned with unease. Something in Agatha's demeanor had shifted her sharp confidence was replaced by something Rio hadn't seen in years: vulnerability.

When they reached the small bedroom upstairs, Agatha released Rio's hand and sat down heavily on the edge of the bed. She stared at the floor for a moment, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Then, without warning her shoulders began to shake and a choked sob escaped her throat.

Rio froze, her eyes widening in disbelief. Agatha Harkness cocky, infuriatingly self-assured Agatha was crying.

"Agatha," Rio said cautiously, taking a step closer.

But Agatha didn't respond. The tears came harder now, spilling down her cheeks as she buried her face in her hands. Years of pain, guilt, and buried secrets seemed to pour out all at once, and the sight of it left Rio stunned.

"Agatha," Rio tried again, her voice softer this time. She stood awkwardly a few feet away, unsure of what to do. The woman she had once loved so deeply, who had always seemed so untouchable, was unraveling before her eyes.

Finally, Rio took a tentative step forward and sat down beside her. She hesitated for a moment, then reached out wrapping an arm around Agatha's trembling shoulders and pulling her into an embrace.

Agatha stiffened at first, the closeness both terrifying and comforting, but then she melted into Rio's arms her sobs growing louder. Rio held her tighter, resting her chin on Agatha's head and murmuring soft reassurances.

"I'm here," Rio said quietly. "It's okay. Just let it out."

For a long time, they stayed like that, Agatha clinging to Rio as though she might disappear at any moment. The closeness stirred a mix of emotions in both of them pain, longing, and something they dared not name.

When Agatha's sobs finally began to subside, she pulled back slightly, wiping at her red, swollen eyes. She took a shaky breath and met Rio's gaze, her voice hoarse as she began to speak.

"I... I never told you," Agatha said, her words faltering. "About her. About... our daughter."

Rio's heart stopped. "What?"

Agatha looked away, her guilt written plainly across her face. "After Nicky," she began, her voice breaking on the name, "I couldn't... I couldn't lose another one. When I realized I was pregnant again, I knew I had to protect her I couldn't let you take her like you took him."

Rio stared at her, unblinking, as the weight of Agatha's confession sank in. "You had another child," she said slowly, her voice thick with emotion. "And you didn't tell me?"

Agatha flinched, tears welling in her eyes again. "I didn't have a choice," she said, her voice cracking. "You would have taken her too. I had to—" She stopped, her breath hitching. "I abandoned her. I left her in the woods. It was the only way to keep her safe."

Rio closed her eyes, swallowing hard as a wave of emotions threatened to overwhelm her. Anger, hurt, disbelief all of it churned inside her, but she forced herself to stay calm. Now wasn't the time for anger.

"You should have told me," Rio said quietly, her voice trembling. "I wouldn't have let that happen. I wouldn't have let myself take her. Things... things could have been different. I could've gave up my power for us"

Agatha's tears spilled over again, and Rio pulled her back into her arms, holding her tightly. "It's okay," Rio murmured. "It's okay, Agatha. We'll figure this out."

For a long moment, they stayed like that the silence broken only by Agatha's quiet sniffles. When she finally calmed, Rio pulled back just enough to look at her.

"How sure are you?" Rio asked, her voice steady. "That the girl downstairs is her?"

Agatha hesitated, her eyes flickering with doubt. "I don't know," she admitted. "The locket... it's hers. But I... I don't know for certain."

Rio nodded, her expression unreadable. "Then we'll ask her," she said firmly.

Agatha glanced at her, uncertainty flashing in her eyes, but she nodded. Together, they stood and Rio took her hand giving it a reassuring squeeze.

Without another word, they headed for the door, the air between them heavy with unspoken emotions. They descended the stairs, ready to face the girl who might just be the missing piece of their shattered past their eyes locking briefly before they turn to face Nessa.