Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

The meal was a feast for the senses, a classic roast with all the trimmings, yet Carlisle squirmed uncomfortably with each bite. As soon as polite society would allow, he made an excuse and left.

The house fell eerily quiet. Roseanne was left clearing the dishes, Hertha's words echoing in her head unbidden. "Murray's got a perforated ulcer."

Her mind wandered. Clatter! A plate slipped from her grasp, shattering on the floor.

Instinctively reaching to gather the pieces, she nicked her finger on a shard. A sharp hiss escaped her lips as tears, unbidden, splashed down onto her hand.

After six years, not just days or months, habits were deeply ingrained in her. At the news of Murray's hospitalization, her first instinct was worry, an urge to visit him at the hospital.

But reason held her back. Roseanne thought she would gradually get used to not worrying and not shedding tears for him anymore.

From the brilliance of their love to the weariness of companionship and separation, the cracks had been forming for a long time.

Maybe it was from his first broken promise or perhaps his first lie. When Roseanne looked back, only fragments remained. Six years could be enough for a touching love story or a tragedy that wasn't worth remembering.

...

over some trash in the hallway, cursing the building. "What a

Her phone rang.

be resting?" she snapped, still seething,

woken up in the hospital to find

Roseanne to get her to visit you," Cliff explained with a

eyes repeatedly darting to the door amidst bouts of thirst

couldn't take it anymore and dialed Hertha's number. "Where are

Hertha mumbled, "Out."

long till you

to the hospital to annoy

head home first, pick up the chicken soup Mom

and..." , kne

isn't with you?" he cut in, sensing

Oops! Hertha sighed. "No."

all understand what a breakup means? Always meddling!" "Yeah, I'm meddling. So, it's just me who's annoying, okay? You two