Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Chapter 845

She spun around and gave him a playful punch to the chest.

He pulled her into his arms without hesitation, enveloping her in a warm embrace.

"You're up?" Grace turned and, spotting him, sounded a little surprised.

Her thoughts snapped back to the present. Murray nodded. "Yeah."

“Um... Last night, I couldn't get a cab, so I stayed in the guest room. I figured you'd probably have an upset stomach after drinking, so I thought I'd whip up something light for breakfast. You... don't mind, do you?"

"Not at all. That's very thoughtful of you."

"Thank you for letting me crash here last night. I just wanted to return the favor! Breakfast will be ready in a minute!"

Murray made his way to the dining table, pulled out a chair, and sat down.

A few minutes later, Grace emerged from the kitchen with a steaming bowl of nourishing soup and perfectly fried eggs. She ladled out a portion for him, set it in front of him, and handed over a fork and spoon.

Murray, used to being waited on by staff, accepted them without a second thought. It felt perfectly normal to him.

But after finishing her little act of hospitality, Grace pursed her lips, a flicker of hurt passing through her eyes.

She was the one who'd taken the initiative, but now his matter-of-fact acceptance made her feel oddly wounded.

This push-and-pull, this silent testing-Murray saw it all, but refused to play along.

In fact, a faint hint of irony glimmered deep in his gaze.

her choice to stay, her decision to get up early and make breakfast. He'd never asked

doing, she ought to accept whatever

of soup in front of him, something

tasted even closer to what he remembered

smile tugged at his

fleeting smile, her heart

nothing, had it? He must like it,

is it?" she asked

just said, "Have some yourself. Once we're done, I'll help

"..."

at the Rodriguez

came downstairs and found the

in the kitchen, clouds of steam

and Norris were locked in a fierce game of

air was tense, both men laser-focused, refusing to give

Why not sleep

"With everyone else up, how could I sleep

for young people to

Roseanne

She

couldn't help laughing.

à her late twenties-stnet

in their eyes?

favoritism couldn't be

plates were

you two!