Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

After finishing their meal, Kathleen went to pay the bill.

Both mothers had hardly touched their food, leaving plenty behind.

Meanwhile, Corley and Owen Reynolds each had their own victories; one had snagged a sleek suit, and the other, a pair of leather shoes, both quite pleased with their finds.

Corley: "There's a coffee shop up ahead. Fancy a drink?"

Owen Reynolds: "Oh, but there's this bakery that's quite famous..."

Both spoke almost simultaneously, exchanging glances, a silent rivalry brewing.

Corley: "Roseanne, shall we go together?"

Owen Reynolds: "How about we check it out?"

Both men were eagerly awaiting her response.

Roseanne: "?"

Here we go again!

"How about this, you both go get what you want, and I'll head to the restroom?" Corley nodded: "Alright."

Then, looking at Owen Reynolds: "The professor isn't much for coffee, right?"

Owen Reynolds: "If Mr. Sullivan is treating, I wouldn't mind trying a cup." "...Alright." Corley agreed, though clearly through gritted teeth.

Owen Reynolds: "I'll return the favor, let's get Mr. Sullivan a slice of cake."

"..." That stung even more.

Each went their way to queue.

When Roseanne emerged from the restroom, Corley was holding a cup of coffee in each hand, unable to carry a third.

He was about to ask a server for a to-go bag.

Roseanne: "I've got it."

They chatted as they walked towards the bakery.

"...Silver? Silver?!"

"...Hmm? What?"

"What are you staring at so intently? You didn't even hear me calling." Kathleen followed her gaze, but all she saw was a bakery.

Silver waved it off: "Nothing."

Despite her words, her expression was sour.

That barista was with another man, laughing and chatting over coffee as they strolled!

Wasn't that something couples did?!

Though she only saw the man from behind, his style and aura hinted he wasn't lacking.

One moment she's shopping with

Corson the next, she's out h with another man, pinget

field?

Seamless transition, time management, she was clearly playing games!

the

The thought of her naïve son falling for such a woman had Silver's heart frying in anxiety. "Kathleen, I... suddenly remembered something important. I can't continue shopping." "That's alright, I was planning on heading home anyway."

Silver hurried off.

Inside the bakery-

"Roseanne! Over here!" Owen Reynolds waved from by the display case. Roseanne approached, handing him his coffee: "Professor, yours."

"Thank Corley

He then glanced at

a teasing look: "Mr..

you shouldn't have.".

ith a teasing look: "Mr.

belongs to

Corley: "... You're welcome."

swnovel

Owen Reynolds took the coffee, then asked Roseanne: "Which one do you like?" Roseanne chose a peach-shaped mini cake.

"And Mr. Sullivan?"

Corley

since

hekeen on sweets, but he wasen Reynolds was

offering,

more than happy to accept-

"Same as Roseanne."

The employee: "I'm sorry, sir, but we only have one of each design."

Unique was the way to go.

Corley pointed at another at random.

When it was handed to him, he realized it was a cartoon "butt" shaped cake.

At first glance, it bore a resemblance to Roseanne's peach.

The employee was certainly considerate.

Owen Reynolds: "Didn't expect Mr. Sullivan's taste to be... quite unique."

Corley: "..."