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.

...

Maple Avenue, not far from Kingswell University. The neighborhood had cozy bungalows, a blend of traditional and modern designs, each

the seatbelt, eyeing the flowers at her

her hesitation.

lip. "I think I'll

her, then nodded.

silence. After taking a few deep breaths, she unfastened her seatbelt and stepped out of the

flowers by the fence, probably neglected due

Owen greeted, "Ms. Payne."

issue of a biology journal magazine and adjusted her reading glasses. "Eh?

checking on you. How have you been

need for everyone to fuss over me like this." She patted his hand. "You're too kind. I'm perfectly fine!" Owen paused. "I

"Who?" Madeleine looked puzzled.

in the doorway, head bowed like a child who had done something

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