Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Abbey couldn't help but snicker, her gaze sweeping over the pile of fruits Norris had brought: "Sis, did you guys also buy cherries? How come they look so much smaller than the ones Raven got?" Madge's smile faltered slightly, her tone gentle: "How can we compare to Raven's family?"

Abbey burst into laughter: "Well, that's true! Maddox and Raven's place, naturally, is unmatched."

Roseanne smirked, seemingly casual: "Aunt Abbey, what fruits did you get?"

Abbey's smile froze.

Roseanne appeared not to notice, conveniently the bag was right by her feet, she casually rifled through it: "Let's see... apples, pears, oranges..."

Not a single one was a pricey fruit of the season.

"Looks like Aunt Abbey knows how to pick, all stuff we regularly enjoy."

Abbey found the comment grating, yet couldn't fault Roseanne's words: "Yes, yes, thought I'd pick up something everyone loves..."

Truth be told, Abbey came from a decent background, both her parents were permanent staff at the power company and her father even held a minor official position. Being the only daughter, she never lacked for anything growing up.

Yet, she was known to be frugal, not particularly generous towards others.

Especially towards her own family.

Abbey really thought

a

throat and suggested, "Let's not

Aunt Raven." Roseanne boldly popped a cherry into her mouth, "Indeed

found no taste in her own

awkward, turning to her husband, hoping for

even glance

Lauretta gestured for her to hurry, or else there'd be none left. Abbey was

eat, you two

thinking, "Is she out

was noon, and

from the kitchen three or four times asking when they could serve funch. Raven: "Let's wait a bit longer, Quincy

nodded: "Let's wait for

began to look upstairs towards the study: Mum, dad, shall we start? It's the holiday

I'm not

"Not hungry."

The matriarch

Silence fell.

wait a bit more." The matriarch made the

"Wait for what?