Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed novel Chapter 771

The glare in his eyes was like a sharp sting as he watched Corley's back retreating. Bam! He slammed his fist against the steering wheel.

Oh, how he wanted to jump out, grab the guy by his collar, and give him a real thrashing.

But then he hesitated—

What right did he have to lash out?

An ex-boyfriend who couldn't let go?

Or a once-upon-a-time best buddy?

He let out a bitter chuckle, realizing he could only stand there in silence, watching them disappear upstairs.

...

With the delivery done, Corley was about to leave.

Roseanne came from the living room with a glass of water, offering it to him. "Thanks, man, have a drink before you go."

Corley looked up at her, his voice hoarse, "Sure."

Roseanne started tidying the place, planning to sort everything properly the next day.

Just then, a loud crash echoed as the wind picked up, slamming the balcony door she had forgotten to close earlier.

Remembering the plants on the balcony, she worried that if the wind knocked them off, someone might get hurt.

So, she paused what she was doing and hurried to move the plants inside.

One of the pots was particularly heavy, and after several attempts, she couldn't budge it.

At that moment, a pair of hands reached over, gripping the base, and effortlessly lifted it up.

"I got it," Corley said.

Roseanne breathed a sigh of relief. "Thanks, man."

As she withdrew her hands, they accidentally brushed against Corley's, but she didn't think much of it.

His eyes tightened slightly, but he showed no other emotion.

Watching him easily move the healthy little palm inside, Roseanne pointed awkwardly at the other pots. "These too... and those over there... they all need to be moved."

Corley chuckled, amused. "Do I look like a moving guy?"

Roseanne shook her head. "No, but you're my bro. You said it yourself, if I need help, call my big brother."

That left Corley at a loss for words.

Brother, my ass!

He thought he was losing it. No matter what she called him, when it came from her, it just sounded so darn good.

When she was just tending to the plants, she hadn't thought much of it, but now, lugging them all inside, Roseanne realized how much work they really were!

Just when he was on the brink of despair, he saw Corley exit the building.

In that moment, the tension in his heart eased; relief flooded in, albeit tinged with a bitter aftertaste.

"Knock, knock—"

Murray turned his head, rolling down the window.

Corley stood by his car, a teasing smile playing on his lips. "This time, it can't just be a coincidence, can it?"

Murray had used that lame excuse far too many times; even he didn't believe it anymore.

His grip on the steering wheel tightened instinctively, eyes narrowing. "You knew I was down here all along."

It wasn't a question.

"Yep," Corley replied bluntly, not bothering with pretense.

Murray's knuckles turned white, a sensation like ants gnawing at his insides. "Are you two together?" he asked, voice taut with tension.

Corley chuckled softly, but refused to answer.

Not that he and Roseanne were a thing at the moment, but even if they were, it wasn't something he'd flaunt.

He and Murray—

They were worlds apart.