Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Roseanne knew how much Madeleine cared about her situation. "Don't worry. I won't let you down."

...

After she arrived home, Roseanne started reviewing the materials she brought back. Compared to the grad exam textbooks, these papers were tougher to get through because they zeroed in on specific operations and research results, demanding quite a bit of hands-on experience.

She lost track of time diving into the documents until nearly midnight. Rubbing her tired eyes, Roseanne decided it was time to sleep. As she settled down, she heard a frantic knocking at her door. "Roseanne, open up! I know you're in there!" Even through the living room and bedroom doors, Murray's voice pierced through to her ears.

Bang, bang, bang! The knocking grew louder.

When remembering the last time at the study where Murray almost forced himself on her, Roseanne's lips turned pale, gripping her blanket tighter. Murray kept shouting at the door.

"Roseanne..."

"Open up!"

"Anne..."

Roseanne covered her ears, hoping Murray would give up and leave without a response.

But five minutes passed, and Murray was still hammering away at the door, determined to keep going unless she opened up.

dead of night. "Who's that, making a racket at

is barking in the

swear, if you don't buzz

of bed, slipped

your mind?" she hissed

knew you

"So what?"

door. Let

think you are, thinking you can just waltz in whenever you feel

cracked a smile. "Fine, then I'll

"You..."

"I'm knocking."

other option,

fearing she might change her mind and shut the door on him Reeking of

and took three steps back to keep her distance. "What

and glazed from drinking, fixed his gaze on her without saying

while, he finally spoke softly,

head, wrapping her coat tighter.

long enough