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."

you see Owen?" Leda knew Owen lived nearby but

affirmed with a

demeanor was open and honest, and hearing that, Leda didn't pry further, instead shifting the conversation toward where to eat, eventually deciding on a Thai

pretentious lot after another, acting like they're on top of the world. Why hasn't someone just wiped

their circle

waiting for her to slip up. Those she met were hardly welcoming, their attitudes suggesting she should settle down and not seek

Leda exclaimed, "So, I spilled all their dirty secrets in anger." Being from the same social circle, they

knowing Leda's fiery nature. "No wonder the

evasion case, even Roseanne, buried in her studies, had caught wind of

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

talk about me. You might not know, but my aunt is equally worried about Owen's marriage prospects, always finding new ways to set him

pondered for a moment. 'Is Owen being

is hardly ever