Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

As Corley left the restaurant, he missed bumping into Murray, coming in for breakfast.

Murray frowned slightly. He glanced around discreetly, not spotting Roseanne anywhere.

"Babe, looking for something?" Noticing his surveying gaze, Millie asked knowingly.

Murray looked back at her. "You shouldn't have insisted on coming over with that injury on your leg."

"I could have had breakfast in bed, but I've stayed in for too long. I need some fresh air, or else I'll start to feel out of breath," Millie said, sticking her tongue out playfully.

Murray hummed softly, "What do you fancy for breakfast?"

"A sandwich and some milk, thank you, babe."

Murray had searched all four diners on the island by noon and still hadn't seen Roseanne. He strolled along the beach in the afternoon with no luck, either. At night, he spotted Leda, but still no sign of Roseanne.

It was even weirder that Corley seemed to have vanished since that morning. Could it be that Roseanne and he went on a date? The thought made Murray restless. He stood up, paused, and picked up Millie's shawl hanging on the back of the chair.

It was a regular piece bought on the island. Nearly everyone had one, including Roseanne.

He approached Leda. "Roseanne left her shawl with me at noon. Here, take it to her."

On a date with a handsome guy, Leda got caught off guard and blurted out, "Noon? How's that possible? She's already back..."

Oops! Realizing her slip-up, Leda said defensively, "Murray, trying to trick me into spilling beans?"

His gaze turned sharp. "Anne went back home?"

Leda rolled her eyes. "None of your business."

Murray nodded. "It seems like she did head back."

After getting his answer, Murray took off.

There was no need to guess. If Roseanne had left, Corley must have been gone with her.

Leda cursed herself for being so talkative!

As Murray walked, he pulled out his phone and called Maurice. "Book me the next flight back home."

Maurice replied, "Right away, Mr. Sherwood. Will the lady come back with you?"

It was better to ask and avoid making the same mistake twice.

He hesitated.

"Babe, I just heard from the waiter that there's a cruise setting sail the day after tomorrow. They're having a captain's dinner on board. Let's sign up, shall we? It could be fun. What do you think?"

Millie wrapped her arm around his. "Since I can't travel back now with my condition, why not just enjoy ourselves a bit longer?" Murray paused.

Maurice asked on the phone. "Hello? Mr. Sherwood, are you there?"

"Cancel the booking for now."

"Okay."

Noticing the phone, Millie apologized, "Oh, were you on a call? Sorry, I didn't see that. Hope I didn't interrupt." Murray waved it off. "No, you didn't."

Her face lit up with a smile. "That's great. The doctor said my wound is doing fine for now. No signs of infection..." Mentioning the injury softened Murray.

"A cruise it is, then? Please? I've never been to a captain's dinner before." She cooed, and her voice was as sweet as lychee gelatin.

Murray found himself nodding. "Okay, we'll go."

"Mua! Thank you, babe."

At nine in the evening, the flight landed on time at Lumina City Airport As Roseanne stepped out of the terminal, the familiar chill, mixed with bits of ice, hit her face, making her sneeze instantly.