Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

He froze suddenly, almost reflexively yanking his hand away from Millie's gentle grasp.

Caught off guard, Millie couldn't help but frown, following his gaze, only to find Roseanne standing not too far ahead.

Murray furrowed his brows, turning to Corley. "You invited Roseanne?"

"Yeah, we're all friends here," Corley smiled innocuously.

Murray pressed, "Why didn't you give me a heads-up?"

Corley shrugged. "Got caught up, I guess. But I didn't think it'd be a big deal."

Meanwhile, Roseanne had spotted Murray, too, but quickly averted her gaze. She was there to drop off her well-wishes and leave. Her time was too precious, buried in books and research, to waste on social gatherings.

Approaching Corley, she said, "Happy birthday. Here's the present for you. It isn't expensive. Hope you like it." She handed him a gift box.

Corley accepted it with a chuckle. "Well, thanks a bunch."

As the birthday boy, the center of attention, he'd mingled and had a slight buzz.

"Let's celebrate with a drink, shall we?" A waiter passed by with a tray of wine, from which he took a glass, "Cheers to me."

He knocked back his drink in one gulp, prompting Roseanne to do the same. After she finished her drink, she checked the time and hinted that she should get going.

Corley raised an eyebrow. "Leaving so soon? The party's just getting started."

Seeing her hesitation, he quickly added, "How about you stay till we cut the cake?"

"Okay," she agreed.

The wine hit her more than expected, and the room felt warm. Corley got caught up with other guests, so Roseanne asked a waiter for directions and headed toward the garden through an arched doorway. Murray watched Roseanne leave, his face darkening. She hadn't given him a moment's attention, and she was going without a glance his way.

He was about to follow when Millie

suddenly clung to his arm. "Babe, I'm

feeling under the weather. Can we find somewhere to sit down, please?" Her voice was soft and

weak, leaning into him like adelicate flower.

At that moment, Roseanne had disappeared.

Murray had no choice but to step back, his voice tinged with irritation, "Let's go."

The path from the living room to the garden wasn't far, lined with lush greenery and exotic flowers that one might only see in

magazines. Some of these rare ne

species, difficult to maintain and worth a fortune, filled the garden, their scent mingling with the crisp air, easing Roseanne's melancholy slightly.

decided

Roseanne decided to take a walk. Suddenly, a warm breath caressed her neck, a man's boozy exhalations enveloping her. Thinking it was.

l.ne

Murray she was about to pull away when a low chuckle stopped her cofe.

QUMS

Roseanne was stunned to find it was Corley! His hand rested on her waist, his unfamiliar warmth causing her to shiver with repulsion. Without thinking, she pulled away, stepping back. "You're drunk. I'm not your date," she stated plainly.

Corley looked at her, her eyes wide and startled, like a bird about to take flight in panic.