Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Chapter 846

Geneva was startled by the uncharacteristically serious look on her daughter's face. "M-Madge, what's wrong?"

"Come here, Mom, Dad-let's sit down and talk."

The two of them followed her to the couch, concern etched on their faces.

"Norris, Anne-you two should hear this too," Madge added.

Father and daughter exchanged a glance before obediently taking their seats. Roseanne glanced anxiously at her mother. "Mom, what is it?"

Madge took a slow breath. “I'd remembered most things about the past already. Even if there were gaps, the memories have come back, piece by piece. But there was one thing I could never recall how I disappeared that night, how I ended up in Pinehollow, and how I fell into the river... Until yesterday."

Yesterday?

New Year's Eve?

Neely's eyes sharpened. "What happened yesterday?"

Madge said, "I

was it?"

was steady,

forgiveness. Her parents had searched for her for over twenty years-they deserved the

she'd barely slept. Part of her feared the truth might be too much for her parents to bear-what if something happened

Madge let go of those worries. Even without proof, she knew her parents would believe her,

She was right.

the coffee table, making the teacups rattle. "How could she do

shaking with rage, his face twitching

that was almost deathly. But

mother's hands trembling

Geneva's voice broke, her teeth clenched. "I suspected her back then, but I had no proof. If I'd known... if I'd known, I would've wrung the truth from her whatever it took, even ifit cost me my

grief, regret, and fury—all the pain and

this to yourself," Madge pleaded, moving to her side, rubbing her back, trying to calm her down. "I'm here now. I came back.

trembling. "You have to breathe, Geneva.

Of course-Madge's confession hadn't come easily. If she fell ill, or worse, because of

breath. "I'm fine. Aberdeen, don't worry. We're all