Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Murray suddenly pulled back his hand, looking nervous. "I'm so sorry, Anne. I didn't mean to... I don't even know what got into me... I just didn't want you running off, getting away from me..."

"Don't touch me!" Roseanne clutched her head, pain welling up so fiercely it threatened to bring tears to her eyes.

Just then, Cliff finally arrived, huffing and puffing, with Corley in tow.

"Are you okay?" Corley brushed past Murray, rushing to Roseanne's side, his voice thick with concern.

Corley had been at a business cocktail party when Cliff called. He was about to seal a $60 million deal that evening. But the moment he heard Roseanne might be in trouble, he ditched his clients and bolted. Racing through the streets, he made it in ten minutes, catching up with Cliff right at the corner.

Without exchanging a word, they headed straight to Roseanne's apartment building, only to find Murray losing his cool.

Roseanne shied away from Murray's advances and equally repelled Corley's attempt at comfort.

She stepped back, and only then did the overpowering scent of his cologne start to fade. She shook her head slowly, "I'm fine now." Corley's gaze fell on her disheveled hair, noticing the redness swelling on a large patch of her scalp, yet she insisted she was fine.

"You're a woman, you know. There's no need to always play the tough guy," he said, a hint of tenderness in his voice.

respond, Murray lost it: "Who gave

What are you gonna

his eyes the only giveaway

"What's the meaning of bringing this bastard here? To mock me? Or to let him

was at a loss for words, managing only a bitter smile.

because he considers you a bro. Otherwise, who

scoffed, "I

do? Don't forget, Roseanne is my girl,"

drunk and raving. Roseanne broke up with you ages

of 'brothers before others'? How could

mistaken, it was you who initiated

Murray was momentarily speechless.

saying, "You

Roseanne frowned.

me,"

nodded at