Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Murray gave her a once-over, his gaze as sharp as a blade, before letting out a snort of derision, "Thought you were sick to your stomach? You seem pretty fine to me."

Feeling the sting of his piercing gaze, Millie couldn't shake off the feeling that her feeble attempts at deception were transparent to him.

"It's just... when you're not around, I've got no one to talk to. It gets so lonely..."

Murray, ever the pragmatist, cut her off unceremoniously, "Lonely? Why don't you hit the books or do something productive? Aren't you supposed to be a student? Don't you have classes? Or what about your exams?"

"You seem to have all this free time, whereas Sadie's up to her neck in work. Why don't you give her a hand?"

Millie stuttered, unable to form a coherent response.

Murray's dark eyes turned icy, her little schemes laid bare before him, amateur and pitiful.

He turned to leave, but felt a soft embrace from behind, her arms locking around his waist.

"Murray, please don't go. I've missed you so much. I really want you here with me. Even if you despise me, do it for the sake of our child..."

Murray's jaw tensed, and he quickly shrugged off her hands, disgust nearly spilling from his eyes, "Stay away from me! And don't drag the child into this. I told you to end it, but you went behind my back to my mother. We haven't settled that score yet!" Millie's eyes flickered, "I'm sorry, I..."

"I'm warning you, stay in line or I'll kick you out right this instant!" With that, he stormed upstairs, his departure leaving a chill in the air.

deep breath, and tried to calm

her only way out, and she had invested too much to

couldn't afford

seconds later, she had

favorite soup, she recalled the scent of alcohol on him as he walked in, suggesting he

always craved some warm soup. It was her chance to cater to

In the master bedroom-

hangover soup, but still felt

stomach cramps set in, prompting him

unwell made him irritable, and he

response, he called out again, more impatiently, "Sadie

stomach must be upset. I went to the supermarket to

hearing Murray descending the stairs, eagerly brought the soup from the

could finish, the soup

"Ah-"

echoed through the

expensive wool carpet,

I ever say I wanted your soup?" His voice was cold, filled

felt wronged, tears welling up in her eyes, yet she

"I'm sorry,