Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Back when the whole Roseanne debacle was the talk of the town, Norris and Madge even made a trip down to Lumina City. Upon their return, they clammed up, refusing to spill the beans. But if the rumors swirling around were anything to go by, the truth wasn't far off.

Apparently, Roseanne had given up on her studies for love, smitten with a guy who, by all accounts, seemed to be rolling in dough. No wonder she was ready to ditch her textbooks, all to keep him hooked. Norris and Madge couldn't help but frown at the thought.

Yet, Roseanne seemed unfazed, "No, we've broken up."

"I've heard those high-society types have sky-high standards. You were probably just a fling to him. Look at how foolish you've been, taking it seriously. Marrying into wealth isn't as easy as pie," Abbey said, shaking her head in disbelief.

"And you know, for a girl, reputation is everything. After all these years, he didn't even offer some sort of... compensation?"

In soap operas, those wealthy old men are always so generous, handing out millions like candy during a breakup.

By that measure, Roseanne didn't seem to be at a loss...

But Abbey couldn't hide her envy.

"Just a few years of playing house and she hits the jackpot, going from rags to riches. But why her? She's no Helen of Troy, so why does everything come so easy for her?"

If the Norris family was cashing in on this, they'd be living large.

Roseanne looked up, her gaze sharp, locking eyes with Abbey, "What kind of compensation should I have received, according to you, Abbey? Money, jewels...?"

"Enough!" Norris slammed his hand on the table, standing up abruptly, "Abbey, we're family, but I'd appreciate it if you'd watch your tone!"

Abbey stood up too, "How am I not being respectful? Can't I show some concern for my family?"

"Is this how you show concern?"

"Wow, Norris, what's that supposed to mean?"

Madge stood up, squeezing her daughter's hand. "Abbey, Norris is just saying your comments are inappropriate, out of line, lacking evidence, and downright slanderous." Abbey had expected Madge to play peacekeeper, given her usually gentle nature, especially in front of the grandparents.

But this time, Madge stood her ground!

Seeing the couple united against her, and knowing she was in the wrong, Abbey kicked Irving Cole, who was sitting next to her, "Are you dead? Your wife is being bullied, and you just sit there?"

Irving just shrugged, focused on his meal, unbothered. Lauretta Cole chose to ignore the scene as well.

Crash!

The matriarch slammed her cutlery down, glaring at Norris, "Enough with this drama! It's the holiday season Abbey might have been harsh, but she wasn't entirely wrong. She meant well, so was it necessary for you two to make such a big deal out of it?"

Norris, visibly upset, protested, "Mom! Did you hear what she said? How could she talk about Roseanne like that? And you're taking her side?"

"The points she made, although

harsh, weren't incorrect. Typical breakups might involve some form of compensation for emotional distress, let alone with the wealthy from Lumina City. They should be even more generous. Otherwise, it's

asif our girl was taken advantage of for nothing!"

"Mom-" Norris was livid, "Anne is your granddaughter too, how can you say such things?!"

Madge, nearly at her breaking point but holding onto her composure, took a deep breath and turned to Norris, "This dinner has lost all its taste. Honey, let's go home."

Facing the elders, she had tried to keep her peace, but when it came to her daughter, if she backed down any further, she wouldn't deserve to be called a mother.

"More than tasteless, it's downright disheartening! Come on, Erin, Anne, we're leaving!"

With those final words, Norris, along with his wife and daughter, left the dinner in a huff.