Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

And from the conversations between her and her mom, Roseanne didn't hear any concern for the author from the publisher, just oppression and manipulative tactics. "Can we, please? Can we, please~"

"Alright, I'll send it over when we get home. Just worried you might not have the patience to read through it!"

Roseanne promised, "Absolutely not!"

When they got home, Norris was out front, struggling with hanging the holiday garlands. He couldn't get the full picture, but Roseanne tilted her head and noticed, "Dad, it looks a bit crooked."

"A bit to the left."

Madge got out of the car, tsking and shaking her head, "I think it's too high. You should move it down a bit."

Norris obediently shifted the garland down a few inches, only to hear Madge say, "No, now it's too low. A bit higher."

Roseanne chimed in, "That looks about right."

After Norris finished, he stepped down from the ladder and checked both sides, feeling something was off, "Does it not align properly?"

Madge spotted the mistake. "...did you hang them up wrong?"

coughed awkwardly, saying, "...seems

mixed up the garlands meant for the lobby and the

"There you go, brain

Norris was speechless.

but snort, bursting

Christmas Eve.

Roseanne's favorite beef pies with thin wrappers and generous

the essentials like chicken, lamb chop, fish, along with local favorites like pork and beef pies. By five in the afternoon, the

watch TV in the living room. Your dad and I got this." Norris peeked from the kitchen, "Exactly, if you can't sit still, go play outside in the

them in a basket for easy access. At seven, with everything tidied up,

Roseanne opened the window,

fireworks bloom

sky,

basking in the fleeting peace and

Suddenly, her phone vibrated.

Christmas' greeting from Leda. Roseanne smiled and sent

video call

a departure from her usual style, demure and ladylike, obviously toned down for the holidays. Roseanne