Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Murray was deaf to the world.

As he reached the staircase, Cliff caught up with him, pressing him against the wall. "Cut it out, Murray. Just go back, Roseanne won't even open the door for you..." "I've got something for her."

Cliff paused, "What's that?"

Murray fished out a tube of allergy relief cream from his pocket. "She gets allergies this time of year. I'm taking this to her..."

In that moment, Cliff felt a lump in his throat.

How did two people, once so deeply in love, end up here?

"Right," Murray nodded, "I'm here to bring her the cream... she needs it... she really does..."

His voice faded, growing fainter, until his vision blurred and he slumped to the ground.

Cliff quickly hoisted him up and dragged him towards the car.

But as he looked back at the SUV parked at the end of the alley, he couldn't help but let out a deep sigh...

By the time they got back to the mansion, it was 1 a.m.

The butler opened the door, and Cliff said, "Give us a hand here! He's drunk, maybe brew some coffee or something to sober him up..." Once he'd given his instructions, he drove off.

Millie had already gone to bed, deep in sleep, when the noise downstairs woke her up.

Reluctantly, but for the sake of Murray and her dreams of marrying into wealth, she fought the urge to sleep, threw on a coat, and went downstairs.

some water, I'll handle him," Millie said, moving forward to take

for you right now..." the butler

weight was

the concern, "I know my own body,

had no choice

over, she nearly

wait-" she quickly called out to the butler, "You take him,

water, Murray was slightly

eyes lit up as she crouched in front of

was ice

falling as she quickly corrected, "Murray, how

Millie was taken aback.

"Didn't you hear me?"

I..." Millie's eyes filled with tears, looking

face remained emotionless, unaffected:

her tears, Millie stood

past her,

humiliation, catching the butler's

calm down,

smile-

must still be drunk,

a

is who. Brew some

soup,