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."

fists but remained

brighter than you realize, making it impossible for you to hide her allure," Corley continued, his gaze returning to

added, "Regretting you lost your rose? But she's no

at Corley, stopping just a hair's breadth from his face. Watching the

forced a

the one who nurtured that rose? I've watched her bloom into what she is today. Her beauty, life, and everything bears my imprint. We've been together for six years. Do you even know what she

bond is inseparable. You're living in a fantasy if you think

first time, Corley's

as

had had countless opportunities to leave but chose to return to Murray

imagined.

intense rivalry over Roseanne, Millie clenched her

like Roseanne is the only woman in the world to them?' Millie wondered, 'What does Roseanne have that I

...

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