Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Alva kicked off her shoes and slipped into a pair of cozy house slippers, her gaze sweeping over the living room. She noticed several large cardboard boxes tucked in a corner, perfectly packed and sealed. Without a word, she settled onto the couch. "Norris, Madge, what's going on here... a spring cleaning spree?"

Madge offered a light chuckle, "Nope, just sorting out some linens and clothes."

"All packed up?" Alva's curiosity piqued as she nodded towards the boxes. "Pretty much."

"Are you guys moving or something?"

"Yes."

"Where to?"

Norris and Madge exchanged a glance, realizing there was no point in keeping secrets. Besides, it was bound to come out sooner or later.

"We're moving to that new development nearby, Riverview Estates," Norris disclosed.

"A penthouse or something?"

"No," Norris shook his head, "a villa."

Alva's expression shifted perfectly to reveal just the right amount of surprise, as if she was hearing the news for the first time. "Norris, where did you get that kind of money? Even the most basic villa there is like a million bucks, you..." She paused, a look of concern washing over her, "You haven't done anything illegal, have you?"

look like I have the guts for that?"

"So, the money..."

"It's from the rain-"

Norris off, "Why are you spilling the beans? Didn't

what

reason. There had to be something

Alva was

and put

a client meeting and thought I'd drop by since I was nearby." "Oh, I heard you

a smile, replying, "A little break from the hustle... Speaking of which, Roseanne, there was so much going on last time at your uncle's, I didn't get a chance to

raised an eyebrow, a trace of surprise in

for the holidays, but are you

planned, I'll be returning

you working there? Studying? Or something

a brief pause, Roseanne replied, "Let's just

exam results, hopeful for a chance to study further. But without the official acceptance letter, everything remained uncertain. Roseanne despite her

like "lack of

she gestured for Roseanne to