Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

The glare in his eyes was like a sharp sting as he watched Corley's back retreating. Bam! He slammed his fist against the steering wheel.

Oh, how he wanted to jump out, grab the guy by his collar, and give him a real thrashing.

But then he hesitated-

What right did he have to lash out?

An ex-boyfriend who couldn't let go?

Or a once-upon-a-time best buddy?

He let out a bitter chuckle, realizing he could only stand there in silence, watching them disappear upstairs.

...

With the delivery done, Corley was about to leave.

Roseanne came from the living room with a glass of water, offering it to him. "Thanks, man, have a drink before you go."

Corley looked up at her, his voice hoarse, "Sure."

Roseanne started tidying the place, planning to sort everything properly the next day.

Just then, a loud crash echoed as the wind picked up, slamming the balcony door she had forgotten to close earlier.

Remembering the plants on the balcony, she worried that if the wind knocked them off, someone might get hurt.

So, she paused what she was doing and hurried to move the plants inside.

One of the pots was particularly heavy, and after several attempts, she couldn't budge it.

At that moment, a pair of hands reached over, gripping the base, and effortlessly lifted it up.

got it,"

a sigh of

they accidentally brushed against Corley's, but she didn't think much of

but he showed no other

awkwardly at the other pots. "These too... and those over there... they all need to be

"Do I look like a moving

my bro. You said it yourself, if I need help, call my big

left Corley at a loss for

Brother, my ass!

was losing it. No matter what she called him, when it came from her, it just sounded

she was just tending to the plants, she hadn't thought much of it, but now, lugging them all inside, Roseanne realized how much work they

the watering

t belongs to swich

Roseanne asked, "Here?"

face."

a tissue and stepping forward to help

small mirror from a drawer and using a tissue to

she did so, "Why make it so complicated? This is

in his eyes, and chuckled softly.

said, watching

end of the

Murray hadn't left.

half an hour, anxiously watching

scenario had played out

window light up, he fought the urge to rush up and knock on

Corley stay

through his mind, and

when he was on the brink of despair,

that moment, the tension in his heart eased; relief flooded in, albeit