Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Her heart raced wildly inside her chest as she took a deep breath and followed him into the house.

She knew the mansion was large, spacious, and brilliantly lit, but this was her first time stepping inside. The decor was distinctly local, with a color scheme dominated by gray, black, and white, subtle yet luxurious in the details that mattered.

As a sophomore minoring in art history, Millie could recognize the value of the surroundings. The paintings that adorned the walls held their prestige, though they were not from Monet. Even the seemingly inconsequential items, like a trash bin emblazoned with the LV logo, spoke volumes about the wealth contained within the space.

Passing through the living room, they entered a meticulously maintained indoor garden adjacent to a home theater and gym, with a corner dedicated to a set of golf clubs. People said the mansion was part of a community with its golf course.

Pinching her palm, Millie thought back to before she met Murray. The most luxurious item she'd ever seen was a Hermes crocodile skin Kelly bag a classmate wore. A designer limited edition, it was worth a small fortune on the resale market, enough to buy a three-bedroom house in her hometown.

Yet, the unreachable Hermes seemed trivial in the mansion, scattered on keychains, pool tables, and lighters.

If she stayed by Murray's side, married him, and had his children, did that mean all this could be hers too?

She would have the grand mansion, designer bags, chauffeured rides, and servants at her beck and call. Murray hadn't noticed Millie's daydreaming.

oatmeal she'd made was thick, but he'd barely tasted it

"Why aren't you

a bite after work. I'm not

be sad, you know," Millie pouted, her eyes sparkling with innocence. "It's my first time cooking for someone. Go easy

for grad school and spend the day studying in the library. Only got

recalled her encounter with Roseanne, her gaze flickering before she swiftly changed the subject.. "The news

hummed in agreement, showing no sign of impatience, though the absent-minded loosening of his tie betrayed his restlessness. "The news is hit or miss these

wisely dropped the

getting late." He stood up. "I'll drive you back to

the low-cut dress she had changed into earlier. She smiled and looped her arm through his, brushing against him solightly that it

"You're in such a hurry to

her teasing was

smirked lightly. "I