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.

kind that leaves nothing

far, far too late to fix any of

you don't want

straightened, waving him

of

"Go ahead."

the front door of

unable to stifle a

New Year's Eve-he should have been home

watching TV. But instead, one call from the

Murray was drunk-again.

were regulars at that bar,

had to fake a sudden stomach bug to slip away from the family poker

sped across town, picked Murray up,

the older relatives still at his place, Cliff really couldn't be gone for

Murray alone like this didn't

empty-the staff were

Cliff decided to call

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

a few concerned questions, and as soon as she heard Murray needed someone, she

did Cliff feel comfortable

at us..." he

family photo online-a

help but

reached

wasted, clinging

Cliff's arm, mumbling "Anne"

over