Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

But now... It all seemed pointless.

Late affection was worth less than the dirt under one's shoes.

Roseanne's face remained expressionless as she listened to him, her hand firmly on the doorknob, a defensive stance.

"I'm sorry, but no," she said, pausing between each word. There would be no forgiveness, no reconciliation.

Murray's temper flared visibly. "Why? Just tell me why! You refused to get back together because of Millie, and now that I've left her, why are you still unwilling?!" He had given up so much, how much more did she want?

In contrast to his rage, Roseanne was much calmer: "Once upon a time, you were my everything. To me, you were all that mattered."

For him, she had given up her dreams of graduate school.

At the height of their love, he was her entire world, the one she wanted to spend her life with!

Murray's eyes brightened instantly, his voice urgent, almost frenetic. "Can't it be the same now? If you're willing, we can go back to how things were."

Roseanne looked down, shaking her head. "No one stays in the same place forever. Neither you nor I."

the world is full of

shadow crossed Murray's face. "Worth pursuing? Graduate school? Studies? But even if you finish your master's, you'll still end up working. Isn't working all about earning money? Tell me how much you want, I can provide."

million? And now you're saying you don't want money? Do you think I'll believe that? Or

anger reached a boiling point, and his words became

absurdity, Roseanne no longer engaged,

Murray off guard and forcing

the lab work, you were indeed capable and outstanding back then. But years have passed,

door slammed shut with a

Murray, anger mixed

...

began to warm

sprouted on branches, and

to

was her first meeting with the elderly lady

warmed day by

research, so busy

Roseanne, she