Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

The door was shut tight, not a whisper of sound coming from inside.

It suddenly dawned on Roseanne that she hadn't seen Owen for quite a while.

They used to leave their apartments around the same time, often bumping into each other. Recently, however, their paths hadn't crossed at all.

Perhaps Owen was just too swamped with work, practically living in his lab by now.

Roseanne didn't dwell on it too much.

That evening, after spending some time at the library, she returned home around 8 PM.

Just as she entered the building, a figure rushed by her-

It was Owen, out for a night run.

She quickly called out, "Professor-"

But the man, as if he hadn't heard her, kept running.

Roseanne was puzzled. Maybe she had spoken too softly, or perhaps he was wearing earbuds?

Changing into her jogging gear, Roseanne decided to head out for a run herself.

him if he knew where to get a

to purchasing equipment, Owen and Ms. Payne

frequently visiting the hospital. Roseanne didn't want

would reveal that Edna Moore's team was monopolizing the lab equipment, something they were desperately trying to keep under wraps. Given Ms. Payne's fiery temper, she would

the department clearly favoring

that hassle, and for what? It would just be bad

contacting Owen seemed like

sending him two messages and making a call,

he was just too busy to

to talk to him was

arranged to meet Corley for lunch the next day, but deep down, she

why that

seemed more trustworthy than Corley, who was unpredictable and aggressive. Owen's help didn't come with the pressure of owing him,

clear, too straightforward, making

for runs,

feeling quite worked out,

left her door slightly

in the cooker a delicious porridge the next morning, she kept

cleaned up the kitchen, Roseanne decided to knock directly, "Mr., Reynolds, are you there? I have a

No response came.

"Professor?"