Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

"Is someone still a writer if they can't produce a bestseller?"

Madge was fuming, "I have plenty of ideas, but you..."

Nadine cut her off, "Your ideas lack originality, they're not marketable. Writing them down would just be a waste of time, a waste of a publishing slot. They won't sell! Do you think you're still the 'Mystery Queen' everyone raved about?"

"Face it, Madge, you're washed-up! It's time to face reality, and face who you are now."

"Mom-" Roseanne couldn't stand it any longer and stormed out from behind the shelf.

Madge quickly cleaned her tears and forced a smile, saying, "Did you get it?"

Roseanne shook the allspice, "Right here. Dad might be back from his school by now, let's check out and head home?"

"Sure."

"Mrs. Harper, we'll be leaving now," Roseanne spoke for her mother.

She knew Madge was deeply hurt and didn't want to face the person causing her such pain.

Nadine managed a smile, "Sure, I'll browse around a bit more."

Then, looking at Madge, she added, "Think about what I said. Ah, we've been friends and collaborators for so many years." Madge looked down, silent.

Roseanne took the shopping cart and led her away.

"Mom, did you sign a ten-year contract with Mrs. Harper?"

"Yeah."

"If I'm not mistaken, this year is the last, right?"

Madge did the math, "Indeed it is."

"What do you think of her?"

Madge paused before saying, "... She's professional."

Roseanne laughed lightly, not saying much, only asking, "Do you still have the contract?"

"Yes, why?"

"Can I see it tonight?"

"What for?"

"Just curious. Is that okay?"

"Of course! You can see anything of mine!"

Madge was surprised, "All those are just practice drafts, why would you want them?"

"Just, I suddenly realized having a

writer for a mom is pretty cool. I

want to seriously read your work. If anyone asks, I can share about it. Otherwise, they might think I'm

making it up."

As a child, Roseanne was eager to read Madge's bestsellers—'The Weapon' and 'Desolate School'.

But Madge always said, "Too gory," "Not suitable for children," "Wait until you're eighteen."

Yet, after turning eighteen, Roseanne lost interest in opening her mother's books.

After graduating college, during the countless days waiting for Murray to come home, she finally read those two books.

No doubt, her mother was a mystery genius!

Every element, from the smart logic. to the gripping suspense and crazy plot twists, came together perfectly. No surprise these two books are still flying off the shelves.

But in the last decade, her mother hadn't

novo Published any mystery

never

delved into why. Col.net Roseanne found it oddal.net

Until today, seeing her mother's publisher, she thought she understood the problem.

A publisher wearing a full set of DIOR? Carrying a Hermes crocodile Birkin?

What kind of publisher makes that much money?

How come she had never heard of it?