Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed novel Chapter 812

Scales’s lips twitched. “Hey, what do you mean, ‘you men’? Don’t lump me in with the rest. I’m nothing like that.”

Mamie rolled her eyes. “Oh, please. There’s a saying, you know—‘men are all the same.’”

Scales protested, “I’m telling you, I’m not like him.”

“I don’t buy it.”

“If you don’t believe me, try me!”

Mamie was caught off guard as Scales spun on his heel and walked away. It took her a second to process, and then she blinked in confusion. Try what, exactly?

Meanwhile, Grace and Slater, though spared from expulsion, found themselves in limbo. Their advisor had dropped them, and none of the other professors were willing to take them on. In the end, the school grudgingly arranged something for them, just to get it over with.

Academics? Ambitions? Those were off the table. At this point, just keeping their heads down and scraping by for a diploma was the best they could hope for.

On top of that, the university proactively reached out to the competition organizers to explain what had happened. The grand prize originally awarded to Roseanne’s team was returned, and an official statement correcting the winners was posted online.

One scandal had unearthed a whole mess beneath the surface.

As the deep chill of late winter set in, the end of the year crept closer.

After spending several days in the lab, Carlson left for his hometown with Arkle.

Duke called more than once, urging Mamie to come home.

“My darling girl, when are you coming back?”

“It’s almost New Year’s. Your mom and I have packed up and we’re heading to Duskhaven.”

“You’re the eldest daughter of the family, you know. Can’t wait until the last minute to show up! Your great-uncles might not say anything to you, but they’ll definitely give me an earful. Have a little pity on your old man, will you?”

Mamie sighed. “I know, Dad! I’ll be home tomorrow.”

Duke was so pleased he did a little spin in the living room. “I’ll have Larry pick you up at the airport tomorrow!”

“No need. He got that new tattoo—he looks like a mobster. I’ll just grab a cab.”

“Alright, alright, whatever you say.”

The next day, Mamie flew back to her home in the South.

Once she left, Scales stopped coming into the lab too, leaving Roseanne on her own.

…

Yesterday, Mamie had sighed, wishing for one more snowfall before she left. Roseanne hadn’t expected it to come so soon.

A car horn sounded—a sharp beep that cut through the quiet night. Headlights flashed, so bright she had to raise her arm to shield her eyes.

The glare softened as the driver switched to low beams and pulled over.

The door opened, and a tall figure stepped out.

He popped open an umbrella and, with the snow swirling around him, walked toward her.

The night felt like a stage set; for a moment, Roseanne had the uncanny sense of watching a scene from a story—a lone traveler coming home through the snow.

As he drew closer, she blinked and recognized Owen Reynolds.

He stopped in front of her, holding the umbrella so it shielded her from the falling snow.

“Professor, what are you doing here?”

“I was at a conference nearby,” he said, his voice gentle. “Saw the snow coming down and remembered you didn’t have your car today. Figured I’d swing by and check on you.”

His tone was calm and even, carrying a warmth that seemed to melt the winter night. The smile in his eyes made the snow feel softer, the cold a little less biting.