Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Roseanne gratefully accepted the offer. The temptation was too strong to resist.

"Thank you."

"Just call me Corley."

She fell silent.

By the time they arrived in Lumina City, it was already 2 p.m. Roseanne's family of three wasn't in the same train car as Corley. After exiting the station, Roseanne was about to use an app to call a ride when she noticed Corley standing nearby, tall and noticeable with his long legs. He approached Norris with a smile, "Mr. Cole, my car's just outside. Why don't I drive you all home?"

Norris hesitated, "Oh, that's not necessary, we can just call a cab."

"It's no trouble at all, it's on my way," Corley replied, taking the luggage and heading outside.

"Well, if you insist, Sullivan. Thank you."

Roseanne quietly closed the app and put her phone away.

In the car-

Corley was at the wheel, skillfully navigating, with Roseanne in the passenger seat and Madge and Norris in the back.

is that copy of Empires at Dawn: The Origins of Modern Nations you're holding the 2003 reprint?" Corley asked,

perked up, "You know

was into history, and I've picked up a bit from him. If I remember right, later versions of Empires at Dawn: The Origins of Modern Nations had two historical units removed, and there was another revision before that?" Norris was

in '04, but the very first one is unclear. I remember reading it as a kid when it had 36 historical units. The version I have now is pre-second revision, with 30 units, meaning there must

"1996," Corley interjected.

was taken aback,

was another revision, it had to be

so sure?" Norris

'04, it must have been the edition my grand-uncle oversaw,

"What was your

"Shipley Sullivan."

could anyone not know such a renowned

Corley maneuvered

gaze occasionally met Roseanne's

rearview

these days.

I get back. Should

excited, he asked, "Wouldn't that be too