Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Roseanne felt a bit sheepish, realizing her guarded demeanor wasn't as concealed as she had hoped. Nonetheless, she wasn't truly embarrassed. After all, being cautious during a first meeting is perfectly reasonable.

The elderly couple, with their wealth of experience, would surely understand this better than most.

Indeed, Geneva patted her hand reassuringly. "My dear, especially for a lovely girl like you, being cautious is wise. It's always better to be safe than sorry."

"Uh-huh."

"You mentioned my voice sounded familiar... I grew up in Pinehollow and only moved to Lumina City after graduating from high school. We probably never crossed paths before." "That's true." Geneva smiled.

Yet, for some reason, Roseanne perceived a hint of sadness and disappointment in that smile.

Neely, eager to lighten the mood, chimed in with a smile, "Well, we hadn't met before, but now that we have, let's consider it fate."

Roseanne nodded, smiling in return.

Soon, Corley returned with water, handing a bottle to each of the elders.

He then handed the remaining bottles, still in the bag, to Roseanne.

"These are for your mom and dad. Your mom's book signing is today, right? Your dad must be around too?"

he is." Roseanne nodded, hesitating about

insisted, pressing the bag

"...Thank you."

were you all chatting

sight. Even his usually stern grandmother

was the last time he saw the

when he visited

grandmother was in

his

overwhelmed with worry.

stay, he never saw a smile on

to move back to their home country, considering the Rodriguez family's roots and businesses were there Plus, the climate

for their age,

abroad like drifters without a

his efforts, they

a clue that Aberdeen Rodriguez might have been taken to Europe. For that faint hope, they

nearly a

not for Geneva's declining health, which made it impossible