Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed novel Chapter 748

Kathleen's smile turned a bit strained. "Is that so? My brother-in-law is really a stand-up guy for the Gibson family..."

Just as everyone was enjoying their meal, the doorbell rang.

Corley put down his fork and knife. "I'll get it," he said, heading to the front door.

A few seconds later, they heard his voice, tinged with surprise—

"Dad, what are you doing here?!"

Madge's hand, poised to grab another piece of roast beef, paused mid-air.

Norris looked a bit bewildered as he tried to piece together the family connections: Corley's dad meant Kathleen's husband, which made him Madge’s brother-in-law.

Neely and Geneva exchanged glances, both seeing the worry and confusion mirrored in each other's eyes.

Why had Teague shown up so suddenly?

They hadn’t told him that Madge had been found...

Could Corley have let it slip?

That was certainly possible.

Kathleen, however, upon hearing Teague's voice, froze for a moment before a sardonic smile tugged at her lips.

He arrived quicker than she expected.

Corley led Teague through the hallway, into the dining room. The man wore a sharp suit with a light gray overcoat on top. He was tall and composed.

Rain had begun to pour outside, and in his hurry, part of his shoulder was damp.

As soon as he stepped inside, his eyes locked onto Madge. It was as if the rest of the world faded away, leaving only her in his sight.

The woman he’d thought about for decades, the one who’d become his lifelong regret.

“Darling, you’re here,” Kathleen said with a smile, rising to loop her arm through his. “You got here faster than I thought. Look who it is! Yes, it’s Madge. We finally found her. Isn’t that wonderful?”

Teague didn’t respond or shift his gaze, but he did gently pull his arm free from Kathleen’s hold.

Kathleen's smile grew even brighter, though it felt brittle, like thin ice over a deep lake.

Even someone as composed as him could act recklessly!

Kathleen clenched her fists, her heart heavy with emotion, yet she maintained her façade of a smile.

However, her performance didn’t capture Teague’s attention.

Right now, Madge was all he could see.

She hadn’t changed; she was still the gentle, serene, beautiful soul he remembered, radiating a subtle allure like a lily in bloom.

"Darling, why are you so quiet? Mom and Dad are here too," Kathleen reminded him through gritted teeth.

Teague finally snapped out of it, greeting the parents before turning back to Madge.

"Long time, no see..."

His eyes were a storm of emotions, complex and hard to decipher.

Madge smiled, as if it were just yesterday. "Teague."