Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Roseanne lifted her head, finding Owen's chin almost resting atop her own. She had avoided practically tumbling into his embrace thanks to Owen's steadying arms. Snapping back to reality, Roseanne quickly stepped back.

Owen cleared his throat, pulled back his arm, and offered a bit of advice this time. "High heels can be tricky. Flats are much safer."

Roseanne couldn't help but let out a snort of laughter, taking a moment before she replied, "Thanks."

After a brief pause, Leda, who hadn't seen Roseanne's arrival, called out from inside with a hint of confusion, "Anne? Is that you?"

Roseanne glanced outside. "I'm heading off, see you."

"Okay." Owen clenched his fist, and as he walked upstairs, the sounds of conversation from below still reached his ears.

Leda asked, "Why are you just getting here?"

Roseanne didn't go into details. "Ran into a bit of trouble."

Owen lived nearby

affirmed with a

hearing that, Leda didn't pry further, instead shifting the conversation toward where

vented about her recent dating experiences. "One pretentious lot after another, acting like they're on top of the world. Why

their circle

high life. Her sudden pivot to going on arranged dates had everyone watching, waiting for her to slip up. Those she met were hardly welcoming, their attitudes suggesting she should settle down and not seek attention, minding her home

Leda exclaimed, "So, I spilled all their dirty secrets

wasn't surprised, knowing Leda's fiery nature. "No wonder

a tax evasion case,

among the elite, and even I'm not spared from the constant marriage nagging by my parents. It's

is equally worried about

Owen being

is hardly