Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Seeing Murray and Roseanne part on bad terms, Corley raised an eyebrow with a smirk. It seemed like someone's tricks weren't working anymore. Despite the current fallout, Murray and Corley were real-deal buddies in the past.

Murray tried to win her over with gifts, presents, humble gestures, and sweet nothings. Unfortunately, Roseanne wasn't falling for it anymore. "Mr. Sullivan, enjoying the show?" Millie suddenly spoke innocently, her expression pure.

Corley smiled. "Of course."

Millie asked again, "Is it because Murray got the cold shoulder from Roseanne?"

Corley raised an eyebrow, acknowledging her for the first time. "Isn't that what you wanted to see?"

Millie openly admitted, "Yeah, I want to be with Murray forever."

"Well then, I wish you... a lifetime of happiness?" With that, Corley let go of her, stepping back.

Millie smiled and nodded. "Thank you, Mr. Sullivan. And I hope you win your lady's heart, too."

Tsk! Corley turned away. He gave Murray a sympathetic glance, thinking he had attracted a gentle soul, but ended up stirring up a hornet's nest, the kind with stingers and venom.

As the two men passed by each other, Murray suddenly spoke: "Stay away from Anne."

Corley stopped in his tracks, his eyes narrowing. "I could say the same to you. You have no right."

"At least I had my chance with her legitimately. What are you?" Murray stared him down, his eyes somewhat gratified. "If it weren't for me, you and Roseanne wouldn't have crossed paths. She wouldn't give you a second glance."

Corley snorted, "Before you say that, don't forget you and I are now on equal footing. An ex and a suitor, we're both strangers to her."

Murray watched Corley coldly, but Corley lost interest in continuing the conversation and left through another exit.

Back in her

room,

Roseanne took off her mask and showered. With her hair down, she stepped onto the second-floor balcony, the night af carrying the slightly damp saltiness of the sea. The waves rose and fell, their dull sound magically calming.

Leaning on the railing, she gazed at the glistening sea surface, where lights strung together in a line, appearing from afar like stars suddenly dotting the earth. The night was beautiful, soothing her mood.

Next door, Corley also stepped onto

his balcony and saw Roseanne sitting under the light, quietly looking into the distance. Softened by the gentle tight, her perfect profile made him pause for several seconds before he regained his composure.

Feeling his gaze, Roseanne turned to look.

Corley was the first to speak, "Here, your earring."

He opened his hand, revealing a delicate earring resting on his palm.

Roseanne instinctively touched her ear, remembering she had noticed an earring missing after taking off her makeup. She hadn't realized she lost it at the party. She thanked him and took the one earring she lost.

But Corley lingered a bit longer. "I've traveled far and wide, but only Maldor Beach brings me peace and a gentle feeling, like the sea-wide and welcoming."

Looking out at the sea, he suddenly felt inspired.

Roseanne agreed. Before coming,

she was anxious and stressed, with the pressure of her thesis and

Murray's occasional outbursts

wearing her down. After a net"

Maldor Beach, her mood

ove.net

in

miraculously calmed, and she truly

enjoyed her vacation.

Feeling her gaze, Corley spoke softly, "Do you have something you want to say to me?"

Roseanne looked at him with a complex expression. "Can we talk? Could you stop pursuing me? It's a waste of time chasing something you know is unattainable."