Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Chapter 840

"Happy New Year, Roseanne."

The man's voice flowed through the quiet like a cello's low notes, resonant and intimate in the hush of midnight.

All around her, the world was silent-except for that rich, velvet timbre.

Roseanne's ear tingled at the sound. She scratched absently, switching her phone to the other side.

"Happy New Year, Professor."

Just then, from inside her apartment, the collective countdown of the television hosts echoed out-

"Five... four... three... two-"

And as "one" rang out, Owen Reynolds spoke again. "Roseanne, look up."

She obeyed without thinking.

Then, the sky exploded into color. Fireworks blossomed above, each burst cascading down like a thousand stars flung over the city.

"Oh my God-Lumina City actually allowed fireworks this year?!"

"Wait, look-those aren't regular fireworks, they're digital!"

"Didn't the news say that large-scale digital fireworks weren't technically possible yet? How did they pull this off so soon?"

"Well, they must've cracked it!"

"These are gorgeous! And there's not even a whiff of gunpowder!"

"Anyone else notice? The digital fireworks linger longer, and they fall closer to the ground-it almost feels like you could reach out and touch them..."

"Does this mean we'll get fireworks every New Year's Eve from now on?"

that the tech works, why

amazement blending with the sounds of fireworks overhead, all of it

Roseanne stared, spellbound.

fireworks flared and faded, dazzling in their

she thought.

other end of the call, Owen's voice

across her lips as she watched the

already spent two

video call?"

"Of course."

popped up.

turtleneck, his profile lit by warm

glow softened his usually reserved features, making him look unexpectedly

fireworks kept blooming, painting half the

Suddenly, Owen laughed.

"What's

it natural to smile when you're

She nodded. "It is."

thought you'd ask what

Isn't everyone

Wasn't it obvious?

shook his head.

"Hm?"

not New Year's that makes

"Then what is it?"

spending New Year's with

Roseanne froze.

then began, "Roseanne,

It's freezing out

window you