Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Chapter 679

Memories, long dormant, began to stir awake.

Fragments of the past flashed through Kathleen's mind, particularly the image of those despairing, tear- filled eyes that haunted her nightmares.

Her voice was raspy with emotion, "Why is Aberdeen's kidnapping blamed on me, just because I happened to be with her when she left? Is it fair to pin her disappearance on me just because of that?"

"If I had known it would come to this, I would have rather been the one taken. Then, perhaps my grandparents would be obsessing over my absence instead."

Kathleen seemed to be lost in her memories, tears streaming down her face, consumed by guilt. Corley couldn't bear to see his mother like this.

Remembering how his grandmother had recently become obsessed with a mystery novel titled "Seven Days," he offered Kathleen a suggestion: "Gran's been really into 'Seven Days' lately. Getting her a signed copy, especially one personalized to her, would make her day."

Seeing Kathleen's mood brighten at the suggestion, he quickly added a word of caution, "You know how Gran can be. Let's take it slow. Get the signed copy first and tell me; I'll help you present it to her..." Better to tread carefully than to make things worse.

lightly. "A signed book, how hard can it be?" Corley, seeing her eager to move on the matter, held back further advice. He

document needing his attention, and he rushed

request: "...I'm not sure who the author is, but the title is 'Seven Days,' a new mystery novel. No matter the cost or

say?" the butler

'Wishing you health and a long life' or something," Kathleen pondered. That's the kind of thing the elderly love to hear,

butler agreed and set out to

semester approached, the plant quarantine practical course was gearing up for its

exam.

your standard sit-down test; students were tasked with collecting

grades would be based on the accuracy and diversity

Roseanne, Scales, and Mamie formed

meeting spot in the group chat, and on the

loitering in front of the school

buses, four of which