Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed novel Chapter 762

Corley stood there, momentarily taken aback.

The man was dressed in a well-tailored black coat that perfectly accentuated his broad shoulders and slim waist.

But his face...

It seemed thinner now.

Slightly hollowed.

It only made his eyes appear more profound and unfathomable.

Corley forced a smile, picking up the tea cup. The warmth seeped through the ceramic, heating his palms, sending a tingle up his arm. "I'm not picky about my tea leaves. Thanks."

Roseanne chirped, "Why don't you sit down for a bit? I'll grab a few things and then we can head out?"

"Sure."

Corley watched her walk away, then glanced down at the clear, amber liquid in the glass. He'd half-jokingly asked her countless times before if he could come upstairs for a cup of tea, and she had always refused.

Now here he was, sitting comfortably, with tea she'd brewed herself, even handed directly to him.

Corley couldn't tell if he wanted to laugh or cry.

He'd dreamed of this change happening a thousand times, and now that it had, it was due to a shift in their relationship—

Not becoming a couple, but becoming... siblings?

Ha...

The irony was rich.

There was a bitter aftertaste on his tongue, one he couldn't spit out, so he swallowed it down.

It was 28 degrees Fahrenheit today, and Roseanne, ever sensitive to the cold, wore a light pink, mid-length puffer jacket over a beige cashmere sweater and wool skirt. The ensemble matched the coat's length perfectly.

She completed the look with knee-high boots, embodying youthful vibrance.

Not to mention her petite face, striking features, and the glow from a good night's sleep, leaving her with rosy cheeks and bright eyes. "Alright, bro, let's go."

Her voice was like a gentle brush stroking his heart.

A pleasant itch.

"...Bro?"

Corley snapped back to reality, hastily rising from the couch. "Yeah, let's go."

With that, he led the way to the front door.

He adjusted his collar with a smirk.

"Heading out, Professor? So are we."

Owen's stern eyes flickered over to the sandwich in Corley's hand.

Beneath his calm exterior, a sharpness briefly emerged.

Others might not have noticed, but Corley caught it immediately. Instead of shying away, he met Owen's gaze with a smile and casually explained, "Oh, this sandwich? Anne made it, didn't want me going hungry since I missed lunch."

"First time having one?"

Corley blinked. "Huh?"

"Bacon or turkey?"

"Uh..."

Owen Reynolds mused, "I prefer ham. Cheese and corn's pretty good too."

Corley's playful smile flattened, his lips pressing into a tight line.

Amused? Not exactly.