Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Murray suddenly pulled back his hand, looking nervous. "I'm so sorry, Anne. I didn't mean to... I don't even know what got into me... I just didn't want you running off, getting away from me..."

"Don't touch me!" Roseanne clutched her head, pain welling up so fiercely it threatened to bring tears to her eyes.

Just then, Cliff finally arrived, huffing and puffing, with Corley in tow.

"Are you okay?" Corley brushed past Murray, rushing to Roseanne's side, his voice thick with concern.

Corley had been at a business cocktail party when Cliff called. He was about to seal a $60 million deal that evening. But the moment he heard Roseanne might be in trouble, he ditched his clients and bolted. Racing through the streets, he made it in ten minutes, catching up with Cliff right at the corner.

Without exchanging a word, they headed straight to Roseanne's apartment building, only to find Murray losing his cool.

Roseanne shied away from Murray's advances and equally repelled Corley's attempt at comfort.

She stepped back, and only then did the overpowering scent of his cologne start to fade. She shook her head slowly, "I'm fine now." Corley's gaze fell on her disheveled hair, noticing the redness swelling on a large patch of her scalp, yet she insisted she was fine.

"You're a woman, you know. There's no need to always play the tough guy," he said, a hint of tenderness in his voice.

Before Roseanne could respond, Murray lost it: "Who gave you the right to speak, Corley?!"

"I speak because I can. What are you gonna do about it?"

As Murray seethed, Corley's expression remained calm, his eyes the only giveaway to his simmering anger.

Murray glared at Cliff, shouting, "What's the meaning of bringing this bastard here? To mock me? Or to let him hit on my girl right in front of me?!"

Cliff was at a loss for words, managing only a bitter smile. How did this fire end up burning him too?

Corley frowned. "If you're angry, take it out somewhere else. Cliff came here because he considers you a bro. Otherwise, who would care how much you drank or what you did, dead or alive?"

"Bro?" Murray scoffed, "I thought you

were my bro, but what kind of bro acts like you do? Don't forget, Roseanne is my girl," Corley retorted with a laugh that held no humor.

"Murray, I'll pretend you're just drunk and raving. Roseanne broke up with you ages ago! Your head's messed up!"

"So what if we broke up? Ever heard of 'brothers before others'? How could you go after my beloved?"

Corley countered, "If I'm not mistaken, it was you who initiated the breakup at that club, wasn't it?"

Murray was momentarily speechless.

Corley glanced back at Roseanne, saying, "You go upstairs. I'll handle this."

Roseanne frowned.

"Just trust me," Corley said softly.

Cliff nodded at her gently.

Turning, Roseanne headed upstairs. She didn't want to deal with it and knew she couldn't handle it anyway. If anyone could keep Murrayin check, better them than the police.

She might have been worried if Corley were alone. But with Cliff there, it probably wouldn't escalate...

Murray's gaze followed her retreating figure, his feet itching to chase after her but Corley blocked him at every turn. "Get out of my way!"

"Do you not see the disgust on her face?" Corley challenged.

"She's disgusted by you!"

Corley chuckled, "When will you learn not to lie to yourself? When you two were together, did you think she was blind to all the crap you pulled Now that you're apart, do

you really think she'll proot to

see?"