Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

The crowd seemed to swell with anticipation, their excitement palpable.

With a puzzled expression, Leda wondered aloud, "Why isn't it going the way I thought it would?"

Equally bewildered, Roseanne exclaimed, "Help! That isn't what I expected, either!"

From within the crowd, Murray's exclamation got lost amidst the buzz, a testament to the unexpected turn of events.

Clutching the few roses she gathered, Millie felt her eyes brim with tears of frustration.

'Are these people blind?' Millie cursed in her heart.

And to think, Roseanne hadn't even worn that sleek black bikini she had initially donned, opting instead for a one-piece swimsuit that did her no favors. Yet, Murray seemed utterly captivated by her.

Adorned with a wide-brimmed sunhat with a light-colored ribbon bow, Roseanne exuded an effortless elegance. The simplicity of her attire became something chic and sophisticated the moment she put it on. Her mere presence turned heads, drawing the attention of every man around. Yet, she seemed oblivious to the stir, engrossed in conversation with Leda, her occasional smiles enough to make anyone's heart skip a beat.

"Upset?" Corley appeared beside Murray, a smirk playing on his lips as he caught the latter's glare. "She was never yours to claim."

his fists but remained

for you to hide her allure," Corley continued, his

turning to Murray with a slight smirk, he added, "Regretting you lost your rose? But she's no

face. Watching the fist, Corley narrowed

forced a smile.

that rose? I've watched her bloom into what she is today. Her beauty, life, and everything bears my imprint.

mocking. "She's mine. Our bond is inseparable. You're living in a fantasy

first time,

as he

Roseanne had had countless opportunities to leave but chose to

imagined.

rivalry over

it seem like Roseanne is the only woman in the world to them?' Millie wondered, 'What does Roseanne

...

of the ball, garnering the most roses. All eyes were on her as if her presence alone illuminated