Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

"I'll skip dinner. Got some stuff to handle. Let's catch up later, okay?" Roseanne always had a way of letting people down easy, her good-natured refusal leaving no room for Cliff to feel slighted.

She was holding a designer jewelry box, a sign she wasn't making excuses. Cliff noticed, but before he could say more, Roseanne had breezed past Murray, making a beeline for the exit without a second glance.

The atmosphere tensed up. Cliff stole a look at Murray's sour expression and awkwardly tried to smooth things over. "Uh, Murray, maybe Roseanne didn't see you. Don't take it to heart..."

Mentioning it worsened Murray's mood. He cleared his throat, opting to stay silent, though he thought, 'Roseanne's standing her ground this time!'

The sales girl asked, "Sir, are you still interested?"

Murray's eyes snapped up, cold as ice. "Of course, why wouldn't I? Give me the most expensive one."

Murray thought, 'If she doesn't want it, someone else will!'

When Roseanne arrived, the party was in full swing at a villa down Crescent Lane. The place was bustling, and the moment people recognized her, the air filled with unspoken judgments. When she was Murray's plus-one, she was a regular at these gatherings, blending into the crowd without much fuss.

spread, and her solo appearance only fueled the gossip. Was she the Cinderella again without her prince? Six years of her life was all for nothing, just another cast-off. The juicy gossip was too

the stares and went straight to Leda, handing over

you stay? The food's

going. Don't drink too much

She knew the kind of judgment Anne would face if she stayed. "Got

to leave, the whispers growing louder

you see that? Roseanne showed up, the

years. There's bound to be some leftover feelings." "It's just sad. Do you see what Roseanne is wearing? My cleaner dresses better." "Everyone

caught a glimpse

found the harsh words

anticipated this kind of talk when she decided

"Ms. Cole, just a moment. I'll bring

The sun

A deep, slightly tipsy