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.

that leaves nothing

it was far, far too late to fix

don't want

need." Murray straightened, waving

of yourself. I'm really leaving,

"Go ahead."

open the front door of

watched him go, unable

should have been home with

watching TV. But instead, one call from

Murray was drunk-again.

them were regulars at that bar, the manager

bug to slip away from the

picked Murray up,

older relatives still at his place, Cliff really

alone like this didn't feel right,

empty-the staff were all off for

options, Cliff decided

girlfriends were for, right? Helping out when your

City. When Cliff called, she asked a few concerned questions, and as soon as she heard Murray

then did Cliff feel

look at us..." he muttered to himself

Corley had posted a family photo online-a perfect,

help but feel a

reached the

wasted,

Cliff's arm, mumbling "Anne"

over