Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

The front row was filled with people around her parents' age.

"What's going on?"

Her boyfriend was equally confused, blurting out, "Why is it all older folks here?"

That comment touched a nerve-

"What's wrong with us older folks?! Got a problem?!"

Trying to clarify, her boyfriend stammered, "No, I mean... you're into fan culture at your age?"

"We're not chasing after pop stars, we're here for the literature! Got an issue with that?"

"Exactly!"

Her boyfriend was taken aback, exclaiming, "Madge's readership is this diverse?"

"Humph! We've been fans of Madge's novels for over a decade. Sure, we got married, had kids, and got swamped with work, barely active online, not into the whole ranking and streaming hustle like you youngsters, but we've always supported her by actually buying her books."

"Yeah, we've just been busy, not dead!"

her gaze across the

introduction before

"Ms. Madge is stunning!"

my God! She's

the person scaring the pants off me with those novels would be such

chiffon scarf tied around her waist, Madge moved with a grace that made the scarf flutter with each step, her elegance

I'm thrilled

the audience with her sincerity - a killer

erupted into

her heart swelling with pride as her mother shone brightly on

own smile mirroring" nov

the Q&A session came the moment everyone was eagerly awaiting - the book

the crowd surged

trying to sidestep the

shoved her from behind,

was about to fall, a pair of hands

Mr. Reynolds?!" Roseanne couldn't help but exclaim, surprised to see the man in front of her. Owen

lingered with the memory of her waist - just as he remembered, his hands could easily encircle it. Owen picked up a book

here for your mother's

her