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 light,

hell are

in the middle of the night without a

and suddenly, the night lost its sparkle for Murray. He followed her outside but couldn't spot

hunger and wanting to eat. Murray's patience ran thin,

the

had made

Eager, he found her and Corley standing side by side on

expression calm, her hair cascading down

ove

a scene from a

in place. It wasn't until

party, his eyes carrying a faint, dark glint. He

I've said all

finish, her wrist got seized

can he and not I?" Murray demanded, eyes