Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

The moment Roseanne heard the location was near Westside Road, just around the corner from Leda's company, her heart leaped to her throat, nearly choking her with anxiety.

Uncle Joe, as he liked to be called, had promised to get her there as fast as possible. What would normally be a half-hour drive through the city's congested streets, he managed to slash in half, testament to his unwavering resolve. Stepping out of the car, Roseanne hadn't even made it inside the hospital when the wail of ambulance sirens filled the air.

"Move! This is the second wave of victims from the Westside Road pile-up. Get them to the ER-now!"

Seeing the stretcher bearers unload patients, their bodies limp and covered in blood, sent a chill down her spine, hastening her steps.

She quickly found the nurse's station and mentioned Leda's name-

"Are you family?"

"Yes, I was called over."

"You should..." the nurse paused, her eyes brimming with sympathy, "go see him."

Roseanne felt her heart sink.

With a trembling hand barely under her control, she took a deep breath, twisted the doorknob, and the next second, her eyes landed on a body covered with a white sheet on the hospital bed.

sending her crashing to

when a voice suddenly called out from

are you

Roseanne whirled around.

Leda, as lively as ever, looking perfectly

to death! Who's

who had initially directed her walked by, a frown creasing her brow. "Your friend's in the

a

Leda, the nurse added, "She was right behind you when you pushed the door. How

In the hallway.

mad? Leda playfully

d?ted

"I'm sorry, okay?

say anger speeds

beautiful to

Roseanne's mood darken further, Leda quickly added, "But even if you aged, you'd still be the most beautiful, most elegant lady around..." Knowing Leda

all is well now! Not