Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Murray gave her a once-over, his gaze as sharp as a blade, before letting out a snort of derision, "Thought you were sick to your stomach? You seem pretty fine to me."

Feeling the sting of his piercing gaze, Millie couldn't shake off the feeling that her feeble attempts at deception were transparent to him.

"It's just... when you're not around, I've got no one to talk to. It gets so lonely..."

Murray, ever the pragmatist, cut her off unceremoniously, "Lonely? Why don't you hit the books or do something productive? Aren't you supposed to be a student? Don't you have classes? Or what about your exams?"

"You seem to have all this free time, whereas Sadie's up to her neck in work. Why don't you give her a hand?"

Millie stuttered, unable to form a coherent response.

Murray's dark eyes turned icy, her little schemes laid bare before him, amateur and pitiful.

He turned to leave, but felt a soft embrace from behind, her arms locking around his waist.

"Murray, please don't go. I've missed you so much. I really want you here with me. Even if you despise me, do it for the sake of our child..."

Murray's jaw tensed, and he quickly shrugged off her hands, disgust nearly spilling from his eyes, "Stay away from me! And don't drag the child into this. I told you to end it, but you went behind my back to my mother. We haven't settled that score yet!" Millie's eyes flickered, "I'm sorry, I..."

"I'm warning you, stay in line or I'll kick you out right this instant!" With that, he stormed upstairs, his departure leaving a chill in the air.

Millie clenched her teeth, took a deep breath, and tried to calm herself down.

Marrying Murray was her only way out, and she had invested too much to give up now.

She couldn't afford to lose.

Three seconds later, she had regained her composure.

Remembering Murray's favorite soup, she recalled the scent of alcohol on him as he walked in, suggesting he had been drinking heavily the night before.

Whenever he was like this, he always craved some warm soup. It was her chance to cater to his preferences...

In the master bedroom-

Murray had some of Sadie's hangover soup, but still felt awful and soon fell back into a deep sleep.

Waking up at 2 p.m., hunger pangs and stomach cramps set in, prompting him to head downstairs.

Feeling unwell made him irritable, and he asked, "Sadie, is there anything to eat?"

Hearing no response, he called out again, more impatiently, "Sadie "

"Murray, you drank last night and skipped breakfast. Your stomach must be upset. I went to the supermarket to get some oats and just finished making some soup. Have some..."

Millie, hearing Murray descending the stairs, eagerly brought the soup from the kitchen.

Before she could finish, the soup was knocked from her hands.

"Ah-"

Her cry echoed through the house.

The scalding soup spilled onto the expensive wool carpet, a few drops splashing onto her.

"Who asked for your opinion? Did I ever say I wanted your soup?" His voice was cold, filled with scorn and mockery.

Millie felt wronged, tears welling up in her eyes, yet she dared not retort, only managing to whisper:

"I'm sorry,

I was just worried

about you. You always get an upset

stomach after drinking. I didn't want you to suffer, so I made some soup..."

Her head was bowed, exposing her slender neck, making her appear all the more pitiable.

Anyone else might have been moved by the sight.

But not Murray-

"Save your act! Your little

performance isn't enough to fool me. Want to play the victim? Go ahead, make it more pathetic. Even our dog knows it needs to charm its master if it wants a bone. I've been putting up with you, disobedience aside, but trying to manipulate me? Do I look that stupid to you?!"

"It's not like that, I just love you so much—"

Murray's eyes filled with disdain, hearing Millie's voice only fueled his repulsion.