Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Corley smiled. "Of course."

Roseanne asked, "Isn't the end of the year supposed to be crunch time for you finance folks?"

"Well, yes and no," Corley smirked, implying something more. "It all depends on the person. For those who matter, there's always time. But even free time is too much to waste for those who don't matter." Corley's words were loaded, but the lights flickered before Roseanne could decipher them, signaling it was time to switch dance partners.

In the dimly lit room, a figure got sent spinning her way. When they switched partners, Roseanne distinctly saw the look of surprise and disbelief on Millie's face.

The next second, the man firmly grasped her wrist and his other hand possessively wrapped around her waist.

With a challenging smile, Murray briefly glanced at Corley, then locked eyes with Roseanne, his gaze softening instantly. "Anne, still mad at me?"

"I dropped by your place a few days ago, but no one answered," he said, sounding hurt. "If it weren't for Corley meddling, switching your flight details on purpose, I wouldn't have taken this long to find you." Roseanne looked down, unmoved.

"Am I too late? Are you upset with me?" Murray lowered his head to catch her gaze, his voice softening further.

Under the spotlight earlier, he had immediately spotted Roseanne and Corley entering the dance floor, their movements graceful. Corley's hand was on her slim waist, his laughter bold and flirtatious. They whispered to each other, locking eyes now and then, pushing Murray to the brink of anger more than once.

What right did Corley have to hold Roseanne close?

They had been together for six years, but Murray had never shared a ballroom dance with Roseanne. So, when it was time to switch partners, he didn't hesitate to send Millie spinning away.

He knew Roseanne was genuinely mad this time, so he softened his voice, bending his head in submission, hoping to win her back. Like the countless times they had argued before, only this time, it would take a bit more effort and patience.

Murray still believed he could win Roseanne back.

Seeing her indifferent, he genuinely

felt slighted. "Anne, are you that heartless? Whether it's Corley or Owen, you use them to get to me. I admit it bothers me a lot. I hate seeing you with them."

These words were too much. It was unlike Murray to speak so openly.

Roseanne would have secretly rejoiced before, feeling immensely happy, for it meant she was in his heart. But it was too late.

It was far too late.

When Roseanne noticed herself getting more anxious and fearful, basing her whole life around Murray, she realized their relationship had hit a dead end.

"Anne, our six years together, all that we've been through, all the memories... can you just throw them all away?"

Looking at her still indifferent face, Murray's grip on her hand tightened unconsciously.

Roseanne frowned. "You're hurting me."

Murray pressed his lips together, releasing her hand. "Sorry."

As the music ended, Roseanne stepped back without hesitation. "What's in the past is past. I've forgotten it all, and you should, too."

Recalling when they switched

partners, she continued, "Since

you've made your choice, stinet

it.

6leave every wom.net

i with you feeling hurt."

With that, she turned and left, her figure quickly disappearing into the darkness.

Meanwhile, dancing with Millie,

Corley lacked the enthusiasm he had shown with Roseanne, going through the motions with a

lackluster effort, his attention fixed on Murray and Roseanne.