Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

After lunch, Leda snagged two tickets for a dolphin show, excited to take Roseanne along.

Wading through the visitors, they followed the crowd toward the southwest to find the marine show arena. Inside, the air conditioning was a godsend, providing a stark, blissful contrast to the scorching heat outside.

Roseanne wasn't particularly keen on animal shows, but Leda adored dolphins. During the interactive segment, she handed her camera to Roseanne, asking her to snap some photos. Leda's beaming smile eventually pulled a hesitant grin from Roseanne as well.

Half an hour later, as the show concluded, Roseanne handed Leda her bag, mentioning she wanted to use the restroom.

Turning a corner, Roseanne saw Millie washing her hands at the sink. She hesitated for a moment, then brushed past Millie toward a stall.

Emerging later, Millie was still there, seemingly waiting for her. Roseanne ignored her, focusing intently on washing her hands. The only sound was the drip of water. The silence was palpable, the air thick with tension.

Looking up, Roseanne accidentally caught Millie's gaze, then quickly diverted her eyes as if she were a stranger.

But Millie broke into a smile, glancing at her wrist where a bracelet peeked out from under her sleeve.

"Roseanne, what a coincidence," she said.

Roseanne didn't bite.

"How have

a polite

to search her face, wondering

pause, Millie said with a laugh, "Really? It must be hard, moving out

retorted, "You needn't worry

truly," Millie's eyes shimmered with tears, her youthful face exuding innocence, "If you hadn't

silently, rinsing her hands meticulously. She washed with care and focus

the balloon

She casually lifted her hand, "Oh, and this is his birthday gift to me. Pretty,

my hands

~

for this

hes it..." Blushed, Millie's eyes gleamed like

the bracelet as Millie rotated her wrist. It clicked. That day at the jewelry store, Murray picked Millie's birthday present. Turning off the tap, her nails digging into her palm brought her back to reality. With a self-deprecating smile, Roseanne said, "Is that

...

exit, waving at Roseanne as she

hungry? You look pale," she

her nose. "Leda,