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

into bed, Cliff hesitated to leave.

Sadie, you back at the family home? Can you come over?

hour later with dark circles under her eyes

waiting, lit up at her arrival. "Ah, Sadie,

of the drunken

bit overboard. Can you take care of him?" Cliff said before making a hasty retreat. Sadie

Cliff turned, puzzled. "Yeah?"

a trash bin

know, what about

butts everywhere.

mumbled an apology and

Murray with a blanket, tucking him in before muttering her way to the kitchen to make some hangover

her fate. She dragged him back to bed like hauling a sack of potatoes and then tried

IMS

until Sadie, losing patience, pinched his cheeks, turning him