Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Murray was no pushover and punched Owen back with a flash of anger.

"You think you can take me on? Who do you think you are?" He swung, hurling insults, "Back when she and I were together, you were nowhere to be seen..."

Owen intercepted Murray's punch with a calm, almost chilling composure, contrasting Murray's boiling rage. "And what about you? What's your role in all this? An ex who can't let go, or worse?" Each word from Owen was like a knife, targeting Murray's weak spots.

"Looking for trouble, are you?" Murray snarled, trying to free his fist.

But Owen kept a firm grip, unshaken.

"Enough!" Roseanne had finally regained her composure. Standing up from the couch, she clutched the jacket Owen had lent her, not sparing Murray a glance.

She turned to Owen and looked down. "Mr. Reynolds, I'm sorry you had to witness this mess."

Owen frowned, asking,"Should I call the police?"

Roseanne hesitated, "Let's just go."

get further entangled in

the floor. "These are my books. I'm afraid I don't have the strength now. Could you help

down, Owen scooped up a canvas bag and supported Roseanne as they

stood there, watching their departure, fury overtaking him as he kicked a decorative plant pot by his feet

Roseanne watched the mansion

smaller in the rearview mirror. Six years was neither long nor short. When she first

the mansion and everything in it were

whip through her hair,

Owen remained silent, occasionally

the rearview mirror. Seeing that she had fallen asleep, he pulled over near Kingswell University and silently stared out the

fitful, but exhaustion overpowered her,

Owen, she opened her eyes and looked at him with mixed emotions. "Thanks for helping me again." Owen

that, for all the times he'd helped, for respecting

faint sound, and Roseanne's cheeks flushed as she covered her stomach. She hadn't eaten all day, and the hunger

the Kingswell University diner