Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Millie bounded down the stairs in a few quick steps and raced toward the school gates, her eyes immediately locking onto Murray's car parked by the curb.

Leaning against the car hood, Murray was the picture of youthful vigor in a cream-white tee under a charcoal-grey long coat paired with sleek black jeans that made him look like a college student. His appearance turned heads.

He checked the time on his wrist three times in less than three minutes. They had agreed on 10 o'clock, and they were running late.

Pulling out his phone, he scrolled to Millie's contact, about to call her, when a sweet, soft presence enveloped him.

Millie wrapped her arms around Murray's neck, her voice playful and cute, "Have you been waiting long?"

"You're late." Murray glanced at her, hands casually stuffed in his pockets.

"Sorry, I promise I'll be on time next time." When noticing he wasn't making a big deal out of it, Millie breathed a sigh of relief.

"Get in the car." Murray could see right through her little schemes but chose not to call her out on it.

Millie quickly hopped into the passenger seat, chattering away nonstop.

Keeping his eyes on the road, Murray occasionally grunted in response.

at a crossroad, Millie glanced out the window, catching sight of

eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Babe, can we go

was all about celebrating Millie's birthday, so Murray didn't mind the destination. He casually handed her a bag branded with a luxury jewelry logo, "Happy birthday." Millie gasped as she opened it.

of the box slipping it onto

shell design

couldn't help but flaunt it

you know I wanted this?" Millie's

the light turned green,

the gas. Catching Millie snapping photos with her phone,

you're happy."

...

Leda said she had a place in mind, Roseanne hadn't expected such an early start. She had just woken up

through the phone, "Hurry up, Anne. There's no parking here. I'm

into the car ten minutes

a bite, playfully scolding, "You're never

eventually coming

up. "This is where you wanted