Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed



"Wait, what?" Hans was a bit slow to catch on.

"Who sent it? When? Did you mention this to me?"

"I just happened to swing by the school today, and heard you mention in the afternoon that the flash drive was for Roseanne, so I just took it upon myself to deliver it to her."

"Oh, I see... Why didn't you give me a heads up? Had me searching high and low..."

Corley Sullivan inwardly rolled his eyes, thinking it was better to ask forgiveness than permission. Better to act first and explain later.

However, he simply said, "It was a spur-of-the-moment decision, completely slipped my mind to tell you."

"As long as she got it, it's all good."

"Yeah."

Ending the call, Corley cheerfully whistled as he gripped the steering wheel, content with how things turned out.

...

In his study, Owen was trying to make sense of a set of experimental data.

But his focus was nowhere to be found.

His thoughts kept drifting back to the scene he witnessed from his balcony two hours earlier—

Corley and her, walking side by side into the alley.

He could see Corley leaning in to say something, and after listening, Roseanne first frowned, then rolled her eyes in exasperation before running off.

Corley just stood there, watching her leave, with a look of helpless indulgence, as if watching a mischievous child.

Under the streetlight, their shadows stretched long and partly overlapped, resembling an intimate couple.

So... Corley was the one she had plans with?

Owen snapped back to reality, his gaze returning to the computer screen, and his thoughts scattered again.

Where did he leave off?

Which row was he on?

In the end, all he could do was start over.

At 3 a.m., the study light was still on.

Owen closed his laptop with a sigh, his thoughts still a jumbled mess.

Forget it, he'd tackle it tomorrow.

He washed his face, laid down, but tossing and turning, sleep eluded him.

When he finally fell asleep, it was anything but restful his dreams were chaotic and absurd.

The scenes were blurry, as if veiled in mist.

A slender figure approached him.

Feeling flushed, he loosened his tie and unbuttoned his shirt, his throat involuntarily swallowing.

But it wasn't enough; his body felt as if it was on fire, a deep thirst radiating from within.

Agonized, tormented, and filled with an inexplicable... longing.

He found himself drawn to the figure, gently taking the

delicate hand, then can woman's et

arm and neck.

Her skin was like a refreshing spring, quenching his thirst, compelling him to seek more.

With a cautious yearning, he finally pressed his lips to hers, and she let out a soft moan.

That sound seemed magical,

effortlessly drawing out desires hee

kept

away, fueling the fire

within him...

As the woman turned her face, he finally saw her clearly.

Anne...

The next morning, Owen woke to find his pajamas damp, overwhelmed by frustration, shame, and guilt.

Recalling the vivid and sensual scenes from his dream, he was mortified.

How could he dream such things?

How could he allow himself to dream such things?

Owen, what were you thinking?!

...

Roseanne oblivious to someone

else's turmoil, had a restful nightcetThis content belongs to Nô/velDra/ma.Org .

next

sleep and headed to school the n morning, full of energy.

Her morning was packed with classes.

After lunch, she joined Scales and Mamie in the lab.

Madeleine Payne was also there.

Approaching her, Roseanne asked, "Ms. Payne, can we talk?"

Madeleine paused, surprised.

"Sure."