Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

The next day, Roseanne laced up her sneakers and hit the pavement for a morning run.

Ever since she found herself with a bit more free time, jogging had become her go-to routine. Breaking a sweat before the break of dawn was her secret to staying energized throughout the day. After a quick run, she'd head back, jump into the shower, and then she was ready to tackle whatever the day threw at her.

"Morning, Professor."

"Morning."

Owen had already wrapped up his run and was about to head back when he spotted her and decided to join in. "Let's run a bit together."

"You sure? Won't you be late for the lab?"

"The new project is under Stoddard's watch, so I'm pretty free these days."

"Guess Mr. Stoddard's gonna have a bone to pick with you," Roseanne joked.

"He can pick all he wants, work's still gotta be done."

His deadpan response could have sent Mr. Stoddard into a frenzy had he been there to hear it.

They circled the park twice, with Roseanne gradually feeling the burn.

Owen noticed and advised, "Adjust your breathing, keep the pace, follow me... in, out, in, out..."

Following his guidance, Roseanne found her rhythm. "That's better!"

"Enough for today?"

"Yeah, that's plenty."

Seizing the rare opportunity of companionship, they decided to grab breakfast together before heading their separate ways.

"Any news on your paper submissions?"

Roseanne shook her head. "Not yet."

"That's normal. The review process for international journals is a lot more complex than back home. Especially the prestigious ones."

The conversation naturally drifted to her research work. "Thanks for letting me use the lab. I know you wouldn't accept rent-it'd be too tacky. But I feel like I need to repay you somehow." "So, how about I treat you to dinner?"

Owen chuckled, readily accepting the offer. "Sure, I never say no to a free meal."

"What are you in the mood for? I could... book a restaurant."

"Anything's good, especially if it's your cooking."

Roseanne was taken aback. When did she imply she'd cook?

But Owen had already set his expectations.

Well, then...

Despite the heat reducing her kitchen activities, if Owen was looking forward to a homemade meal-

"How about lunch today? Are you free?"

"I am."

As they chatted and strolled back, they reached the corner when Roseanne abruptly stopped.

Owen paused too, "What's up?"

Following her gaze, he saw Murray standing outside the apartment building, also looking their way.

Dressed in a black shirt paired with suit pants, the man stood under a tree, shadows casting a dappled pattern across him. Light and shade fragmented his presence, giving him a piecemeal appearance.

"Anne..." Murray approached, his eyes greedily absorbing her appearance.

Perhaps it was the recent exertion, but a sheen of sweat highlighted her forehead, making her eyes seem even clearer, almost washed by

water.

Her cheeks flushed with a healthy glow, radiating vitality.

Murray ignored Owen, not out of unawareness but annoyance, wishing he could just disappear from sight.

"What do you need, Mr. Sherwood?"

The formal address instantly widened the gap between them.

Murray forced a wry smile. "Do we really have to be this distant?"

Roseanne responded with a calm shake of her head. "We're not close."

"Can't we even be friends?"

"There's no need."

The ideal ex should be as inconsequential as a ghost.

while

This so-called "being friends" was often one's side holding onto hope the other harbored leftover feelings. FindNovelContent © provided by NôvelDrama.Org.

But Roseanne harbored neither.