Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Corley smiled. "I'm chasing what I want. Don't worry about it. How will I know the outcome if I don't try?"

Roseanne said with concern, "Even if it ends in disappointment?"

His gaze deepened. "Then I'll accept it."

She hadn't expected him to be so stubborn and fell silent.

Noticing her mood, Corley didn't push the conversation further but quietly listened to the waves with her. It wasn't until well past midnight that he finally left.

Roseanne thought about his silent defiance and determination. In truth, Corley was a man who knew his limits and boundaries. His pursuit was neither aggressive nor reckless, always mindful not to trouble her, unlike Murray, who used to chase her relentlessly and would fly off the handle at the drop of a hat.

Roseanne sighed, knowing there was little she could do to stop others' actions.

"Just focus on doing you," she told herself.

As she headed back inside, she caught sight of a shadow standing silently in the dark, almost like a ghost.

shadow entered the

are you doing?"

in the middle of the night without

of the party early, and suddenly, the night lost its sparkle for Murray. He followed

Murray's patience ran thin, utterly frustrated. He eventually flagged down a waiter

to the hotel's

had

room. number. Eager, he found her and Corley standing side by side on

hair cascading down her shoulders, a solitary figure in the night. The

ove

like a scene from

It wasn't until Corley

eyes carrying a

are you here? I've said all there is to say,

wrist got

he and not I?" Murray demanded, eyes