Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Everything familiar was thick with irony.

Why? Why did he ever say those things?

Looking back, he felt like he was under some spell, acting on whim without realizing her pain and despair.

In just a year, Roseanne had moved on, embracing college life, while he was still stuck in this private room. Trapped and with no desire to leave.

Murray's grip on his glass tightened until his knuckles turned white, and then, unexpectedly, he chuckled. The resolve he had when breaking up was now equal in regret. Seeing this, Cliff sighed, unable to persuade him otherwise, he simply joined in.

"Here, Murray, I'll drink with you."

Soon enough, Murray was plastered.

Cliff drove him back to the mansion. Throughout the ride, Murray's eyes were shut tight, mumbling, "Anne...Anne...don't leave me..."

It was tough for Cliff to watch.

and Roseanne's relationship from the start. How did it come

him into bed, Cliff hesitated to leave. He decided to make

back at the family home?

showed up half an hour later with dark circles under her eyes and

up at her arrival.

rolled her eyes at the sight of the drunken heap

care of him?" Cliff said before making a hasty retreat. Sadie stopped him.

Cliff turned, puzzled. "Yeah?"

a trash bin in the

know, what about

your cigarette butts everywhere. You think the

apology and promised to be

in before muttering her way to the kitchen

return, she sighed, resigned to her fate. She dragged him back to bed like hauling a sack

IMS

his cheeks, turning him into a compliant duckling. Finally,