Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed novel Chapter 282

Corley spread his hands in a generous gesture of admission, "Been on a health kick lately, honestly can't risk it."

Murray's punch, rather than eliciting the "bounce back" effect he expected, ended up choking him instead.

"Corley, you're just gonna take that lying down? Don't you have any fight in you, man?"

"First off, drinking has nothing to do with having guts or a temper. Secondly, whether I'm a man or not is pretty clear to anyone with eyes."

Murray sneered, "Is that what you told Roseanne when you were wooing her?"

"No, no, no," Corley wagged his index finger, shaking his head, "She's pretty reasonable, didn't need to."

"Ha, so what did you talk about then?"

"Experiences, anecdotes, professional knowledge, poetry, or even life philosophies, and yes—even sweet nothings. There's so much to talk about, I couldn't list them all if I tried."

Murray felt a lump in his throat.

And Corley added fuel to the fire, "Wanna hear about it? Maybe we can set aside some time for a heart-to-heart?"

Failing to win the argument with words, Murray resorted to sulking and drowning his frustrations in drink.

After downing two shots of tequila, he began to feel tipsy, loosening his tie and unbuttoning the top two buttons of his shirt.

Corley frowned at his drinking habits.

"Your ulcer acting up?"

"…No."

"Heh, Roseanne leaves and you just let yourself go, huh?"

Mentioning Roseanne was the last straw, making Murray's eyes and nose sting.

He wouldn't admit it was his emotions getting the better of him, blaming it instead on the alcohol.

Suddenly, Murray muttered, "12 boxes."

"…What do you mean?"

"To put it bluntly, you didn't love her enough."

"Bullshit—" Murray exploded, "I loved her more than anyone!"

Corley locked eyes with him, his gaze steady, "If you loved her, why break up?"

"…"

"You see, every word you say contradicts itself, every action digs your own grave. Love isn't about who can shout the loudest. Six years? All you did was lose her in that time."

When the veil is lifted, the naked truth is often brutal.

Sharp as a knife.

Corley continued, "You claim to love her, yet every action of yours trampled on her."

"Trampled on her wishes, her dignity, and even… her body."