Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

"Roseanne! Do you have any idea how many times I've called you? Not one answer, not a single one! It's been ages, Roseanne. Were you planning on ghosting me for life if I didn't reach out?" Leda Reynolds was fuming, her words a mix of irritation and disbelief.

Roseanne quickly scrolled through her missed calls and, sure enough, there was a string of attempts from Leda.

She had meant to call back a few times but had been swept up in her busy schedule and completely forgot.

Feeling guilty, she hurried to apologize, "I'm so sorry, Leda. I've been swamped these past few days, and then one thing led to another, and...ahem! I promise, I'll try my best to prevent this from happening again... No, I'll make sure it doesn't happen again!" In truth, Leda was aware of Roseanne joining the lab from day two.

Her relationship with Owen was lukewarm at best. They got along as kids, but after Owen went abroad for his studies and became a celebrated "genius physicist," they drifted apart.

Their encounters as adults could be counted on one hand.

Leda only knew that Owen was always buried in his work at the lab, clueless about what he was actually doing.

Now, seeing Roseanne's state, she got the picture-

than being a corporate drone; disappearing for a week was short for them, and not replying to messages

habit of it," Leda softened her tone. "But you absolutely can't bail

her call was to remind Roseanne

"Of course, how could I forget our Leda's big day? I've already picked out your gift. Just you

it." Leda was satisfied and looking forward

up, Roseanne grabbed her stuff and

the experimentation area, she

I've checked these numbers eight

was staring at the screen, frustrated. After days of hard work, this was the last thing he

the map and made no sense at all. He was at

help. "Mr. Stoddard, you're faster with numbers than I am. Can you see

his glasses,

original samples "Could it be an issue at the third node? The data there is messy easy to mess up. Here, and

even louder, "But I've done it eight times already! What if I end up with a ninth