Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Murray's fist brushed past Corley's cheekbone with a dull thud.

As Murray raised his fist for a second blow, Corley grabbed his collar, yanked hard, and nearly knocked him down.

Corley took the opportunity to step back and create some distance.

"Damn," he muttered, touching the sore spot on his cheekbone.

"Murray, have you lost your mind?!"

"You're asking for it!"

Corley smirked, seeing Murray grinding his teeth in rage. Understanding the cause, his smirk widened even more. "Saw everything, did you?" Murray raised his fist again, his eyes bloodshot with anger.

"What? Can't handle it? You know, scenes like this will happen over and over, even bigger than this. What's your plan? Hit me every time you see me?"

"But what's the point? Does hitting me stop anything from happening?"

Murray's chest heaved with suppressed rage. If looks could kill, Corley would have been dead a thousand times over.

Suddenly calming down, Murray asked, "So, Roseanne agreed to be with you?"

Corley's smile faltered.

laugh. "Seems she hasn't. You couldn't win

boast about? Happy with someone else's leftovers? Can't afford anything new, or just prefer hand-me-downs?" Corley's smile vanished,

"Am I wrong?"

of this-don't insult a woman who devoted six years of her youth and all her love and care

appearing on his lips. "Admit it, you're just jealous. Jealous that

Ha, why would I be jealous of a loser who couldn't keep

straight

her, Toved a piece of

you."

that, he punched Murray right on

punch, was

on Murray's cheekbone. "And this one, is me returning the favor."

a fight. He swung back, and under the dim streetlight, in the secluded alley, two men in suits traded blows, fists and

bore

Until-

knew this

"They're going to

man in each hand, forcibly

"Murray, Corley, cool it! This isn't solving

"I'll