Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed novel Chapter 789

He sat there, eyes downcast, intently studying the empty beer can as if it were a blooming flower. Then, in a seemingly offhand manner, he spoke up:

“Did you have a good time at the Rodriguez's today?”

Roseanne nodded, speaking truthfully, “Yeah, Mrs. Rodriguez whipped up a massive lunch spread, and there were all sorts of desserts in the afternoon. After lunch, we went fishing with the old couple and picked some berries from their little orchard. I was even planning to check out an art exhibit…”

Owen Reynolds kept his expression neutral. “Was Corley there too?”

“Yep,” Roseanne confirmed with a nod.

Owen Reynolds’ lips tightened, his hand clenching into a fist beneath the table without him even realizing it.

After a long pause, his voice came out hoarse as he asked again, “So, what do you think of Corley?”

Roseanne pondered for a moment. “I used to not think much of him, but he's actually pretty decent now.”

Not to mention, his attentiveness and care towards her grandparents surpassed even that of his own mom, Kathleen.

Hearing this, Owen Reynolds felt a sharp pang in his chest, his breath catching as a wave of emotion nearly suffocated him.

Just as he was about to ask if she had decided to accept Corley, Roseanne added, “He’s not a bad cousin, either.”

“C-cousin?” Owen Reynolds was taken aback, his eyes wide in surprise.

“Yeah, he’s my cousin! Oh, didn’t I tell you?” Roseanne replied casually.

The man shook his head in disbelief.

“Look at me! I’ve been so caught up with my competition project lately that I didn’t get the chance to share this good news…”

She briefly explained how Madge had been reunited with the Rodriguez family. “...So, that’s how Corley became my cousin.”

Owen Reynolds tried to wrap his mind around the revelation, still stunned. “...He’s your cousin?”

Roseanne looked puzzled. “Professor, what’s up with that?”

“Oh, nothing. Just feeling happy, thought I'd have another.”

“But the fridge is empty.”

“No worries, then. I’ll skip it and go clean up the dishes.”

With that, he gathered his used plates and utensils and headed to the kitchen, his steps surprisingly buoyant.

Roseanne watched, utterly baffled. “???” She couldn’t make heads or tails of it.

Owen Reynolds expertly washed the dishes, tidied up the kitchen, and, after drying his hands, came out to cheerfully suggest to Roseanne, “How about a night run together?”

Roseanne was mid-sip of water and nearly choked on the suggestion. She glanced at the clock on the wall to confirm it was indeed 11:40 PM, then turned back to the inexplicably elated Owen Reynolds. “At this hour, are you… sure?”