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.

at Dawn: The Origins of Modern Nations you're holding the 2003 reprint?" Corley asked, glancing in

"You

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 intrigued, "Yes,

latest revision was the one you mentioned, ten years ago, then there was one 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

"1996," Corley interjected.

was taken aback,

it had to

so sure?" Norris asked,

a revision before '04, it must have been the edition my grand-uncle oversaw, right

"What was your grand-uncle's

"Shipley Sullivan."

heard of him! How could

maneuvered the

gaze occasionally met Roseanne's

rearview mirror

to come by these days. But, before my grand-uncle moved

check when I get back. Should be able

visibly excited, he asked,