Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Murray was no pushover and punched Owen back with a flash of anger.

"You think you can take me on? Who do you think you are?" He swung, hurling insults, "Back when she and I were together, you were nowhere to be seen..."

Owen intercepted Murray's punch with a calm, almost chilling composure, contrasting Murray's boiling rage. "And what about you? What's your role in all this? An ex who can't let go, or worse?" Each word from Owen was like a knife, targeting Murray's weak spots.

"Looking for trouble, are you?" Murray snarled, trying to free his fist.

But Owen kept a firm grip, unshaken.

"Enough!" Roseanne had finally regained her composure. Standing up from the couch, she clutched the jacket Owen had lent her, not sparing Murray a glance.

She turned to Owen and looked down. "Mr. Reynolds, I'm sorry you had to witness this mess."

Owen frowned, asking,"Should I call the police?"

Roseanne hesitated, "Let's just go."

"Okay." Respecting her wishes and not wanting to get further entangled in someone else's drama, Owen agreed.

Roseanne looked at her books on the floor. "These are my books. I'm afraid I don't have the strength now. Could you help me carry them? Thank you."

Bending down, Owen scooped up a canvas bag and supported Roseanne as they left.

Murray stood there, watching their departure, fury overtaking him as he kicked a decorative plant pot by his feet in frustration.

Roseanne watched the mansion

grow smaller in the rearview mirror. Six years was neither long nor short. When she first moved in, she was full of hope, decorating the mansion and tending the garden together.

She hadn't expected to leave like this. At last, the mansion and everything in it were behind her, no longer a part of her life.

Roseanne lowered the car window, letting the wind whip through her hair, leaning back in the seat with her eyes closed, drained.

Owen remained silent, occasionally

glancing at Roseanne through the rearview mirror. Seeing that she had fallen asleep, he pulled over near Kingswell University and silently stared out the window.

Roseanne's sleep was fitful, but exhaustion overpowered her, needing even a moment's rest.

Feeling the silent support from Owen, she opened her eyes and looked at him with mixed emotions. "Thanks for helping me again." Owen played it off. "It was nothing."

But Roseanne's gratitude was more than that, for all the times he'd helped, for respecting her privacy and preserving her dignity.

"Hmm." There came a faint sound, and Roseanne's cheeks flushed as she covered her stomach. She hadn't eaten all day, and the hunger hit her suddenly as the adrenaline faded. Trying to hide it was futile. Owen heard it instantly.

Owen suggested, "You probably haven't been to the Kingswell University diner in a while, huh? Feel like revisiting old times?"

Roseanne blinked in surprise.

Fifteen minutes later, they were walking into the Kingswell University diner.

With its century-old reputation, Kingswell University always boasted an iconic library and diner. When Roseanne was a student, the school

diner was famous for its ne

offering dishes from all over country. Over the years, with more

exchange students, it had even

started serving international cuisine, embracing a global palate.