Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

"Huh?" Murray raised an eyebrow.

"You dare to add my fingerprint to your system?" Millie pointed at the lock on the front door, her face drooping like a wronged puppy, miserably stating, "I've been waiting at your door so many times. Look at me, my hands and legs. One, two, three, all these bites. Can you bear to see me bitten up like this again?"

Murray said lightly, "Of course not."

"Yay!" Millie jumped up in excitement. "I did it on purpose. I wanted to get my fingerprint in so I can come over any time without sneaking around."

The man chuckled. "Still acting like a kid..."

Murray went ahead and added her fingerprint.

When remembering the oatmeal she made for him and the red bumps on her arms and legs, Murray reached into his pocket. "Here's a card for you with a monthly limit. Treat yourself to something nice. Millie bit her lip nervously. "No, no. I can't take your money."

Murray insisted, "It's only right for my girlfriend to spend my money."

"Really?"

"Just take it. Don't feel bad about it."

"Well, okay," Millie smiled brightly, "Then I'll bring you oatmeal again tomorrow!"

Murray waved a hand dismissively. "No need."

It just wasn't the same. No matter how many more times he tried, it didn't taste the same.

...

After a long day of studying, Roseanne and Carlisle parted ways outside the library.

Having aced his exams back in the day, Carlisle was full of advice for studying and even took the time to highlight key points for her.

Roseanne had intended to invite him for dinner, but Carlisle got a call from his roommate and had to leave, promising to continue their study session the next day.

The heat of June was starting to make itself known. Feeling the onslaught of the heatwave, Roseanne returned home and turned on the air conditioning to feel alive again.

She opened the fridge, planning to make broccoli, bacon, and clam chowder. She had to treat her stomach right.

After cooking, she heard a faint noise outside. Thinking it might be her neighbor, Owen, Roseanne opened the door but saw the cleaning lady instead.

The cleaning lady asked, "Young lady? Need anything?"

Roseanne shook her head. "Nothing."

The next day, she arrived at the library at the agreed time with Carlisle and brought breakfast for both of them. Since Carlisle didn't take her money for yesterday's breakfast, it was only fair she did the same today.

Looking uneasy, Carlisle thanked her, "Th-thanks, you're too kind."

Roseanne's usual spot by the window, where the light was good and the crowd thin, was perfect for studying.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

However, she didn't expect to see

Millie there alone. Roseanne didn't care if Millie had chosen the spot on purpose and wasn't interested in guessing. She calmly took out her books and papers and started working.

On the other hand, Millie seemed restless, frequently glancing over at Roseanne.

Even Millie had to admit there was a

serene beauty to Roseanne's focused profile, breathtaking in its tranquility. Perhaps that was why Murray still had her on his mind even after their breakup.

Millie gripped her pen tightly, recalling how Murray had rushed to Roseanne's side at the haunted house, leaving her behind without a second thought. He was panicked. Millie didn't have much say, but as Murray's official girlfriend, she couldn't afford to lose.

Having started his exam preparations from his first year, Carlisle had found a study rhythm that worked well for him.