Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Roseanne's eyes filled with tears she could no longer hold back, and with a rush of emotion, she threw herself into Madeleine's arms. "Ms. Payne..."

Madeleine patted Roseanne's back with her dry, soft palms, and Madeleine's heart softened. "There, there. You're all grown up and still a crybaby. You'll make us both a laughing stock." Owen quietly observed the heartfelt reunion from a distance, silently stepping out to the balcony to give them space to talk once they had embraced and made up.

After years apart, Madeleine was eager to catch up with Roseanne but deliberately steered clear of any mention of her love life.

The fact that Roseanne could say, "I was wrong," was proof enough that the path she had chosen, or rather the person she had chosen, was a mistake. Why reopen old wounds? Roseanne mumbled, "I've rented a place near campus and started studying again. I plan to apply for your graduate program by the end of this year..."

Madeleine's eyes sparkled with an immense joy. "Really? Are you serious?" She even asked twice to be sure.

"Yeah," Roseanne nodded, ashamed to meet Madeleine's gaze. She had once forsaken the path laid out for her, and she wished to start anew.

Madeleine sighed, "Great! That's how it should be! Don't you dare fool me! You've committed to applying for my graduate program. It seems I didn't save this year's spot for nothing..." Roseanne was stunned. She had suspected that Madeleine might have saved her a spot, but hearing it confirmed still felt unreal.

Roseanne wondered, 'Roseanne. Oh, Roseanne, what have you done to deserve this?'

"Ms. Payne, getting in is not a sure thing. You..." she tried to temper expectations.

"If you're determined, failure isn't an option. I know your

could I..." Roseanne couldn't help but smile through

smiled. "It's getting late. Owen, Oh?

stepped

lunch. Today, you and Anne should

the mention of Madeleine cooking, Roseanne's face pled, and Owen's

wasn't that Roseanne wasn't grateful, but with Madeleine

cleared her throat awkwardly, aware of her culinary reputation yet unwilling to lose face before her students, so she vaguely conceded, "Ahem, right, I'm still recuperating.

rolled up his sleeves and followed.

with a deepening

full of fresh ingredients. Aiming to cook

do you need

Roseanne replied, "Can

agreed, "Shouldn't