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!"

thought, sweeping her gaze across the

delivering a brief introduction before Madge was welcomed with a round of

"Ms. Madge is stunning!"

God!

the person scaring the pants off me with those novels

black dress she'd bought the day before, with a white chiffon scarf tied around her waist, Madge moved with a grace that made the scarf flutter with each step, her

thrilled to

the audience with

venue erupted into thunderous

among the crowd, her heart swelling with pride as her mother shone brightly

own smile mirroring" nov

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

the crowd

trying to

shoved her from

pair of hands reached

help but exclaim, surprised to see the man in front of her. Owen coughed lightly, retracting

could easily encircle it. Owen picked up a book he'd dropped, dusting off the

here for your

her work