Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed novel Chapter 612

"What's with the stare?"

Roseanne: "Oh, nothing. Just suddenly felt how awesome you are, Professor."

And it was true, truly awesome.

"Come on, don't just stand there. Aren't you cold?" he said with a chuckle.

Roseanne rubbed her hands together: "A bit."

...

And then it was Saturday again.

Roseanne got up early, made herself a sandwich, and whipped up some almond milk for breakfast.

She timed her departure to coincide with Owen Reynolds', handing him a paper bag filled with the sandwich and almond milk.

Owen Reynolds: "Breakfast?"

"Yeah!"

"Perfect timing, I haven’t eaten. Thanks."

Owen was off to the lab, and so was Roseanne, but she had to tidy up the house first, get everything spick and span before heading out.

She hadn't finished mopping the floor when her phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Roseanne! It's Pauline! You need to come to the hospital... Ms. Payne..."

The hospital room.

Roseanne hurried in, breathless: "Professor?!"

There she saw Madeleine Payne lying in the hospital bed, hooked up to an IV drip, with Pauline looking distressed beside her.

Seeing Roseanne, Pauline let out a sigh of relief: "Roseanne, you're here at last!"

"Pauline, what happened? Weren't you supposed to go with the professor for a wellness retreat out of town?"

Every year, Kingswell University offered a number of wellness retreat spots as part of their faculty benefits.

"Eh—Right away. Just have a good talk," Pauline whispered to Roseanne as she passed, "The doctor said the professor can't handle any more stress."

Roseanne gave her a reassuring look.

After Pauline left, Roseanne faced her visibly upset teacher, sighed, and sat by the bed.

Madeleine: "Who said you could sit?! Stand!"

"Professor, I ran all the way from the hospital entrance, I'm sweating bullets in this cold. Won't you let me sit and catch my breath?"

Indeed, Madeleine noticed the sweat on her forehead.

Roseanne quickly shed her scarf and coat, finally feeling a bit relieved.

Madeleine patted the edge of the bed: "Sit, but don't think this means I've forgiven you."

"Yes, yes, not forgiven. You're still upset, how could you forgive me so easily?"

Madeleine: "..."