Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Madge forced a smile, the awkwardness clear on her face.

If she could really make a living off royalties, she wouldn't be waiting for her daughter to buy them a mansion.

Roseanne caught the impatience in Madge's eyes and took the initiative, "Abbey, Irving, Mom and I have some errands, so we'll be heading off now..."

"No way, it's the holidays, what could you possibly be so busy with? And let me tell you, Roseanne, you're pushing thirty, not in school, not getting a job, and don't even get a boyfriend. I mean, look around, which girl your age still relies on her parents?"

The cherry incident from before was still fresh in her memory.

Finally seizing the opportunity, Abbey didn't hold back, "And don't get me started on your cousin Halley, now there's a man who's opened his own tech startup in Silicon Valley, sky's the limit for him. And our dear Lauretta, maybe not as ambitious, but she worked her tail off and landed a job at the energy department, pretty much set for life. I really worry for Norris, all that hard work raising a child and for what? Not to shine the family name, but can't even fend for herself, still leeching off her parents, I mean, come on..."

Abbey shook her head, sighing deeply.

Beside her, Irving was desperately trying to catch her eye, signaling her to stop, but she was oblivious.

her voice flat, "Yeah, Lauretta is quite the achiever, getting into the energy department with

obedient and sensible! Her grandfather even said, in a couple of years, he'll find her a

voice grew even louder, "All I want in this life is for our family to be healthy and

longer, "Dragging everything into this... Sorry about this, she just can't seem

speak the truth now? What's

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his comfortable life was courtesy of his in-laws, with top jobs

nět

brought home a hefty paycheck thanks to

Abbey's anger intensified, "Well? You had plenty to say earlier, what's got your tongue

was a blend

by his wife in front of Madge and

indifferent to his turmoil, continuing