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.

unnoticed by Roseanne, who wondered if their handshake

first to let go. "I

Corley asked with

to go into

Corley didn't press further.

evening, Roseanne received a message from

me around campus

was nothing.

l.ne

tossed it beside her bed and lay down. Freshly

her into

herself a rare lie-in, waking up

neighborhood was old but

stepped outside, neighbors with grocery baskets and dog

she walked to the nearby ofd street, where a diner

ove

neither too sweet nor too

she spotted Owen sitting with his back to her. She smirked, tapped him on the