Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Her voice was raspy, laced with a tremble and terror, like a frightened sparrow, desperate yet hauntingly beautiful. Murray's body burned hotter, discarding her blouse, his hands venturing under the hem of her skirt.

Panic surged through Roseanne. "Murray, what do you want from me, your ex-girlfriend, when you could have any girl you desire? Why force me? If you're so horny, I could call Millie right now for you."

"Ah! Don't do this!"

When he saw her dodge, a mix of anger and defiance lit up in Murray's eyes. "What's the matter? Are you feeling distant just a few days after breaking up? It's not like you haven't been with me before. Why play the virtuous woman now?"

Roseanne trembled with rage. "You bastard!"

He sneered, gripping her chin, "You think you're worth anything after leaving me? Only a fool would want a woman who's been with other men."

Tears streamed as Roseanne gazed at the man she had loved for six years, realizing she never truly knew him.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Murray chuckled lowly, focusing on her trembling lips, "You want it?"

With that, he kissed her forcefully. Then, he pried her hands apart bit by bit, maliciously tearing her blouse.

She cried, and he laughed. It was then Roseanne realized the physical strength disparity between men and women. She stopped struggling, taking it as being bitten by a dog.

Just as she was about to give up hope, she suddenly felt lighter. An unexpected force threw the man off her.

Caught off guard, Murray stumbled back several steps until he was stopped by a cabinet, finally steadying himself.

Having waited for Roseanne for a while and guessing she might be having trouble with the heavy books, Owen knocked on the villa's door to offer his help.

After Sadie opened the door, he

et el

immediately heard the commotion upstairs and rushed up without a second thought. Upon entering the room he saw Murray forcibly pinning Roseanne on the couch, ignoring her struggles and attempts to resist.

Roseanne's skirt was lifted to her waist, her blouse torn, and she could only stare in despair as tears fell.

At that moment, Owen lost all sense of reason and calm.

How dare he?

"Are you okay?" He immediately undressed his jacket, covering Roseanne, and helped her sit up.

Roseanne was shaking terribly, her face streaked with tears, her once bright eyes dull and lifeless as if trapped in a nightmare.

"Roseanne" Owen steadied her

shoulders, his voice firm, a

comforting presence, "It's okay now.

You're safe. Can you tell me, are you

alright?"

"Roseanne!" After calling her name three times, Roseanne slowly responded, her pupils focusing, and she looked up at him, "Mr. Reynolds..." She was trembling.

Owen's warm hand gently stroked her back. "It's okay. Now, you're safe."

"Yes!" Roseanne nodded vigorously, tears flowing freely.

Seeing the two hugging as if nobody else was around, Murray glared at Owen and recognized he was the guy from the restaurant, a malicious smile curling his lips. "So, it's you, huh? What number are you in Roseanne's line of suitors? Playing the hero?"

Bang! Before Murray could finish, a powerful punch landed on his face.