Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

In Beverley's eyes, her son was the gold standard.

No matter what, his future wife had to be nothing less than a Master's degree holder, preferably with a stint at an Ivy League school overseas.

Millie, in every aspect, fell short of these expectations. It was only because of the baby she was carrying that Beverley reluctantly agreed to meet her. As for her actually joining the family...Dream on!

Hertha, after hearing the plan, just shrugged, seemingly unsurprised by Beverley's intentions.

She tossed her scarf into the trash and wiped her hands with a sanitizing wipe, as if afraid she might catch Millie's lack of sophistication.

"That's how it should be. Millie is nothing, dreaming of becoming my sister-in-law... She's not even in the same league as Roseanne."

All Millie had was the title of being the prettiest girl at school, but beyond her looks, she had nothing to offer. Hertha couldn't fathom what her brother saw in her. Totally blinded by love!

"I'm so over this, don't bother me with my brother's mess, I'm heading out!"

and imported fruits, ready to

time. If Ms. Payne agreed to expand her intake, then Hertha still had a

out, "It's icy

Payne's, the memory of her previous rejection came flooding back, making Hertha bite

chance of

headed for the door, opting for a gesture that spoke

extravagance.

had practiced her pitch countless times, how to charm, which angle made her smile

to Ms. Payne's house, Hertha didn't expect to see the professor but was instead greeted by

a

a section of her front yard to a small garden. Recently, busy schedules and cooler weather made Madeleine worry about her plants. She enlisted. Roseanne's help, fearing her

succumb to neglect

frost.

tailor-made for Roseanne - meticulous and a green thumb herself, she was a treasure to Madeleine, who even entrusted her with the house keys. For the past month,