Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Chapter 842

A flurry of relatives and friends started asking questions, and Beverley had no choice but to cover for him, pretending Murray was away on a business trip.

But no one was naïve-who goes on a business trip on New Year's Eve?

Still, nobody had the nerve to tear away her flimsy excuse.

Beverley couldn't help but think back to better times—

Back when Murray's startup soared to success, when the whole family basked in

his glow and she was the proud mother everyone envied.

Relatives and friends would line up to praise her for raising such an accomplished

son.

Her daughter was beautiful, thoughtful, and devoted-always at her side, charming guests with effortless grace.

Even Roseanne, though never officially recognized as family and not allowed at the Sherwoods' New Year's dinner, never missed sending a gift. Each one was carefully chosen, elegant and heartfelt.

But those days were gone, lost to time.

The more Beverley thought about it, the more hollow everything felt.

If only she hadn't stood in the way of Roseanne marrying into the Sherwood family, maybe Murray wouldn't have ended up like this.

Maybe they'd still be a happy, united family.

Laughter around the table. A mother's love, a son's devotion.

She closed her eyes, exhausted.

Regret washed over her.

leaves nothing behind but a dull

was far, far too

sure you don't want me to walk you

waving him off. "You go

just take care of

"Go ahead."

open the front door of

go, unable to stifle

should have been home with his

instead, one call from the bar

Murray was drunk-again.

both of them were regulars at that bar, the manager called Cliff

had to fake a sudden stomach bug

town, picked Murray up,

older relatives still at his place, Cliff really

leaving Murray alone like this

empty-the staff were all

weighing his options, Cliff decided to call

for, right? Helping out when your boyfriend was in a

Grace hadn't gone home for the holidays, she was still in Lumina City. When Cliff called, she asked a few

did Cliff feel comfortable driving back

us..." he

Corley had posted a family photo

help but feel a

he'd reached the bar,

wasted, clinging

Cliff's arm, mumbling "Anne"

over