Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Owen didn't make a sound. To him, food was a means to refuel, and he never cared about the taste. "All clean now."

Glancing at the neatly arranged bell peppers and kale, it was evident the work of someone with a touch of OCD.

"What's so funny?" Owen asked, puzzled.

Roseanne cleared her throat. "Nothing. You should head out now."

"Okay." Owen dried his hands and nodded slightly.

Roseanne had made a whole spread of dishes, leaning toward the lighter side, the kind of food Madeleine could and would enjoy.

"It's kind of you to remember," Madeleine remarked, touched.

After the meal, Roseanne cleaned up without being asked. Owen naturally joined in to help.

While standing under the warm glow of the kitchen light, his silhouette elongated. From Roseanne's perspective, his finely chiseled profile resembled that of an ancient Greek statue. Madeleine leaned against the doorframe. "Anne, how did you meet Owen?"

Owen was her most proud pupil, and Roseanne her favorite student. She had long wanted to introduce them to each other. Surprisingly, they had met each other beforehand due to a twist of fate. Just then, from outside came a voice. "Ms. Payne, you have a visitor!"

Madeleine turned and walked to the living room, where a young woman rose from the sofa with a smile. "Ms. Payne, I'm Hertha. I visited you in the hospital before and inquired about this year's graduate admissions."

Madeleine nodded. "I remember. Please have a seat."

Hertha's smile brightened. "I heard you've been recuperating at home, so I brought you some health supplements."

Madeleine glanced discreetly at the gift box on the tea table. There were vitamins, fish oil, calcium tablets, and the like.

Her smile slightly faded.

Hertha mentioned, "Last time, we talked about the graduate program spots for this year..."

Madeleine interrupted, "Thank you, I appreciate the gesture, but please take these back. As for the graduate program, it's competitive every year. Admission depends entirely on merit."

Hertha was shocked.

Last time at the hospital, Madeleine's words were full of encouragement, talking about "opportunities," "trying," and "doing your best." Why does she sound so different today? Hertha tried to say something else. "Ms. Payne, I..."

Madeleine cut her off. "Ms. Sherwood, I'm sorry, but I have guests over, so I can't keep you any longer. I'll have Bob help you with your things to the car."

Hertha could sense she was getting dismissed. Confused about what went wrong, she left in a daze, accidentally bumping into someone.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

"Roseanne?" Hertha exclaimed in surprise, "What are you doing here?"

Roseanne stood there in simple attire, a white T-shirt paired with a quaint floral apron, holding a trash bag.

"What a coincidence." Roseanne was equally surprised but quickly smiled and greeted Hertha.

She didn't dislike Hertha despite her being spoiled and arrogant. But she was still polite. But their relationship was nothing beyond that, not as close as she was with Leda. "You..." Hertha looked her up and down, "started working as a cleaner?"

Roseanne was confused.

"Didn't my brother give you money?"

Roseanne looked at her with more confusion.

"Oh my God! That's so tacky! I can't stand him anymore." She ranted while walking away, her heels clicking on the floor.

Continuing her rant, she pulled out her phone. It wasn't that she felt upset for Roseanne. If Roseanne chose to be a doormat, it was on her. But Murray's actions were just too demeaning! It was like going to a diner and not tipping! Hertha felt utterly embarrassed.