Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed



"What's with the stare?"

Roseanne: "Oh, nothing. Just suddenly felt how awesome you are, Professor."

And it was true, truly awesome.

"Come on, don't just stand there. Aren't you cold?" he said with a chuckle.

Roseanne rubbed her hands together: "A bit."

And then it was Saturday again.noveldrama

Roseanne got up early, made herself a sandwich, and whipped up some almond milk for breakfast.

She timed her departure to coincide with Owen Reynolds', handing him a paper bag filled with the sandwich and almond milk.

Owen Reynolds: "Breakfast?"

"Yeah!"

"Perfect timing, I haven't eaten. Thanks."

Owen was off to the lab, and so was Roseanne, but she had to tidy up the house first, get everything spick and span before heading out.

She hadn't finished mopping the floor when her phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Roseanne! It's Pauline! You need to come to the hospital... Ms. Payne..."

The hospital room.

Roseanne hurried in, breathless: "Professor?!"

There she saw Madeleine Payne lying in the hospital bed, hooked up to an IV drip, with Pauline looking distressed beside her.

Seeing Roseanne, Pauline let out a sigh of relief: "Roseanne, you're here at last!"

"Pauline, what happened? Weren't you supposed to go with the professor for a wellness retreat out of town?"

Every year, Kingswell University offered a number of wellness retreat spots as part of their faculty benefits.

By seniority, Madeleine should've been on the list ages ago, but she always passed on the opportunity.

This year, it was Roseanne who

convinced her, assuring that the school could manage without her, and there were no major academic conferences coming up. Finally, Madeleine agreed.

Pauline: "Yes, we were supposed to leave yesterday. The professor got a call in the morning, I don't know who it was or what was said, but after that call, things went south. Drushed her to the hospital."

Roseanne: "What did the doctors say?"

"Extreme emotional distress, needs to be observed for a couple of days. But this morning, she insisted on being discharged, wouldn't even wait to finish her last two IV bags, a hurried and looking pale as if she was on a mission."

Pauline's words were unintentional, but they struck Roseanne.

She approached the bedside, just as Madeleine woke up.

Seeing her, Madeleine became agitated: "You all think I'm dead, don't you?!"

Pauline, startled: "Professor! What are you saying? This is Roseanne! Why would she wish you dead?"

But Roseanne silently lowered her head.

Sighing deeply, she realized the secret was out...

"Pauline, could you fetch some warm water? I'll help the professor clean up in a bit."

"Eh-Right away. Just have a good talk," Pauline whispered to Roseanne as she passed, "The doctor said the professor can't handle any more stress."

Roseanne gave her a reassuring look.

After Pauline left, Roseanne faced her visibly upset teacher, sighed, and sat by the bed.

Madeleine: "Who said you could sit?! Stand!"

"Professor, I ran all the way from the hospital entrance, I'm sweating bullets in this cold. Won't you let me sit and catch my breath?"

Indeed, Madeleine noticed the sweat on her forehead.

Roseanne quickly shed her scarf and coat, finally feeling a bit relieved.

Madeleine patted the edge of the bed: "Sit, but don't think this means I've forgiven you."

"Yes, yes, not forgiven. You're still upset, how could you forgive me so easily?"

Madeleine: "..."