Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Keep your distance, don't come any closer. It's the best advice, both for yourself and for him.

Roseanne packed up her documents and pen, and suddenly, the man murmured to himself—

"But I still consider you a friend..."

Roseanne walked away.

Murray watched her retreating figure, calmly shifting his gaze away.

He picked up his mug and took a sip of his coffee.

The bitterness spread instantly from the tip of his tongue to his entire mouth, yet his expression remained unchanged.

His thumb gently caressed the rim of the mug, his eyes falling on the cup Roseanne had used.

She seemed to have always liked her coffee with cream, less bitter that way.

Murray reached for the cup and took a light sip.

Indeed, he wasn't wrong.

They had lived together for six years, not six months, not six days.

Six whole years.

How could anyone say he didn't know her?

No, he understood her better than anyone else!

So...

floor-to-ceiling window. Giving up was out of the question;

now, but in the

rest of the coffee. He used to love his Americano

all, just look

hadn't Roseanne

to hide, how

her life like a frog being

subtle and seemingly insignificant, yet crazily nourishing the

moved silently, advancing by retreating, so Roseanne didn't feel pressured and naturally let down

do it, why

last night did indeed

sobriety returned in

that moment, Murray suddenly

back wouldn't happen overnight; the more you push,

To get close again, he had to take a different approach, letting her believe he truly

he might

QUMS

just now, the results

least, she no longer looked impatient when

...

her

they had a full day of classes ahead and decided

one?" she asked with a smile, her gaze casually catching the man seated

Grace's eyes flickered.