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.

...

cozy bungalows, a blend of traditional and modern designs, each standing alone, simple, yet full of character. After they passed through a grove of maple trees, the house came

the seatbelt,

hesitation. "Aren't you

her lip. "I think I'll

at her, then nodded. "I'll

deep breaths, she unfastened her seatbelt and

the yard, a gentle fragrance of flowers greeted her. The flowers by the fence, probably neglected due to the owner's illness, looked wilted. Even before stepping inside, Roseanne could hear Madeleine's voice, causing her heart to

Owen greeted, "Ms. Payne."

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

assist her. "Just checking on you. How

patted his hand. "You're too kind. I'm perfectly fine!" Owen paused. "I brought someone else with me

"Who?" Madeleine looked puzzled.

in the doorway, head bowed like a child who had

forward before the initial shock and a hint of joy turned into complexity and deliberate coldness. "What are