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.

the kind that leaves nothing behind but a

far too late to

don't want

waving him off. "You go

just take care of yourself. I'm really

"Go ahead."

front door

watched him go, unable to

Eve-he should have been home with

watching TV. But instead, one call from the

Murray was drunk-again.

at that bar, the manager

bug to slip away from the

town, picked Murray up, and

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

like

house was empty-the staff were all off

weighing his options, Cliff decided

Helping out when your boyfriend was

asked a few concerned questions, and as soon as she heard Murray needed someone, she said she'd head over

feel comfortable driving back

Eve, and look at us..." he

family photo online-a perfect, smiling

help but feel a

he'd reached the bar,

already wasted, clinging

Cliff's arm, mumbling "Anne"

over