Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

"Darn it!" Leda swatted away the hotdog she accidentally dropped on her shoulder, standing up straight and thankful she flicked her cigarette away in time.

Roseanne had to make a considerable effort to close her mouth, "Um... Leda, you forgot your bag..."

She had only come to deliver a bag, but what did she end up witnessing?

Leda cozying up to a guy, looking all close and intimate? And why did his silhouette seem so familiar?

The moment the two turned around, the mystery unraveled - it was York?!

So... This was the "collaborator" Leda mentioned?

Leda stepped forward, taking her bag: "Thanks, Anne! Coming all the way here late at night just to deliver my bag, you should head back, it's late, and not safe. I'll watch you go up to your apartment, just wave at me from the balcony, and then I'll leave." "Sure."

Roseanne turned around and headed home.

She knew what Leda was like, seemingly carefree but always with a plan.

So, she didn't say much.

Sometimes, silence was the greatest form of respect between friends.

wave from the balcony,

Aren't you going to give me a

not headed the same way, how could I give

York was speechless.

spoke, she revved the engine, counted down

right? Why take mine?! Be careful, it's new, don't scratch

sacrifice saw Leda zooming past the financial district in his little Maserati the next

down, her little dog sitting

"Darn it-"

stood there, gritting his

feel like he was nurturing a

...

the end of July, Roseanne had finally finished drafting

Owen' help, revising them six times. Once sure everything was in order, she submitted them to three different scientific journals. Now, all

early in the morning, no need to prepare lunch ahead of time to take with her, nor worry about oversleeping

free time, days seemed

plants at

her parents, often talking for half an

Norris: "...Finished all three?"