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 before

"Why aren't you

had a bite after work. I'm not hungry now. I'll

pouted, her eyes sparkling with innocence. "It's my first time cooking for someone. Go easy on me." Murray affectionately ruffled her hair. "No classes

going on. I plan to apply for grad school and spend the day studying in the library. Only got free in the afternoon

news said there's a meteor shower coming up.

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

she had changed into earlier. She smiled and looped her arm through his, brushing against

hurry to get rid of

teasing was like

smirked lightly. "I