Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Roseanne led the way, with Owen trailing a step behind. She seemed to have become her usual self, contrasting the previous night's unease. Owen pulled up the car, and Roseanne slid into the passenger seat. They were driving when they passed a local flower store.

Suddenly, Roseanne opened her mouth. "Could we stop for a moment, just two minutes? I want to pick up some flowers."

"Flowers?"

Roseanne nodded. "Yeah, for Ms. Payne."

Owen gripped the steering wheel, puzzled. "Is that necessary?"

Roseanne was stunned, then chuckled. "Do you always show up empty-handed when you visit someone?"

Owen nodded earnestly.

Roseanne gave him a thumbs-up, amused, thinking, "So this is how the big shots do it, huh?"

But still, the man pulled over.

...

designs, each standing

years. Roseanne tightened her grip on the seatbelt, eyeing the flowers at

hesitation. "Aren't you

lip. "I

at her, then nodded. "I'll go

appreciated his silence. After taking a few deep breaths, she unfastened her

the fence, probably neglected due to the owner's illness, looked wilted. Even before stepping inside,

Owen greeted, "Ms. Payne."

journal magazine and adjusted her reading glasses. "Eh? Owen? What brings you

forward to assist her. "Just checking on

need for everyone to fuss over me like this." She patted his hand. "You're too kind.

"Who?" Madeleine looked puzzled.

Roseanne appeared in the doorway, head bowed like a

flickered, taking a few steps forward before the initial shock and a hint of joy turned into complexity and deliberate coldness. "What are you doing