Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Roseanne grabbed her bag, and they set off for Kingswell University together.

As they strolled and chatted, Roseanne found Corley was indeed knowledgeable. He could keep up with any topic she brought up. His voice was steady, his demeanor gentle and refined, making his company pleasant.

After wandering for a while, they passed by an old stone wall, and glancing sideways, Roseanne spotted a familiar figure.

Owen had just finished a lecture and was on his way to the lab when he looked up to meet Roseanne's smiling eyes. He paused, then noticed Corley standing beside her.

"Fancy seeing you here. Just finished with class?" Roseanne broke the silence.

Owen nodded. "Heading to the lab, and you?"

"Just showing my friend around campus. Here's my friend, Corley Sullivan," she introduced, turning to Corley, "This is Owen Reynolds."

Their eyes met, and Corley extended his hand with a slight lift of his lips, "Mr. Reynolds, I've heard much about you."

"It's a pleasure," Owen responded.

The Reynolds and the Sullivan families were well-known in Lumina, circulating in the same social circles, though it was their first meeting.

hung between them, unnoticed by Roseanne, who wondered if their handshake lasted

was the first to let go.

with a

go into details,

Corley didn't press further.

received a

for showing me around campus

[It was nothing.

l.ne

tossed it beside her bed and lay down. Freshly

lulling her

a rare lie-in, waking up at eight

neighborhood was old

grocery baskets and dog walkers greeted her with smiles. Roseanne responded

the alley, she walked to the nearby ofd street, where

ove

neither too sweet nor too thick and

smirked, tapped him on the back playfully, and quickly sat opposite