Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Chapter 748

Kathleen's smile turned a bit strained. "Is that so? My brother-in-law is really a stand-up guy for the Gibson family..."

Just as everyone was enjoying their meal, the doorbell rang.

Corley put down his fork and knife. "I'll get it," he said, heading to the front door.

A few seconds later, they heard his voice, tinged with surprise-

"Dad, what are you doing here?!"

Madge's hand, poised to grab another piece of roast beef, paused mid-air.

Norris looked a bit bewildered as he tried to piece together the family connections: Corley's dad meant Kathleen's husband, which made him Madge's brother-in-law. Neely and Geneva exchanged glances, both seeing the worry and confusion mirrored in each other's eyes.

Why had Teague shown up so suddenly?

They hadn't told him that Madge had been found...

Could Corley have let it slip?

That was certainly possible.

Kathleen, however, upon hearing Teague's voice, froze for a moment before a sardonic smile tugged at her lips.

arrived quicker than she

into the dining room. The man wore a sharp suit with a light gray overcoat on top. He was tall

pour outside, and in his hurry, part of

as he stepped inside, his eyes locked onto Madge. It was as if the rest

decades, the one who'd

to loop her arm through his. "You got here faster than I thought. Look who it is! Yes, it's Madge. We finally found her. Isn't

didn't respond or shift his gaze, but he did gently pull his

though it felt brittle, like thin ice

you used to follow him everywhere, calling him brother. Besides our parents, he's been

Kathleen who had called

to show

a hint of

just

see how life had turned the once-vibrant Madge into an everyday

she heard the

wanted to come, too, and couldn't

woman who had occupied his

way back from

to

right away that he had driven through the night

he that eager to see