Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

The night was thick with silence, only pierced by the sound of lab equipment humming and keyboards clacking.

Owen glanced aside to see the girl meticulously noting down data, the soft light casting a delicate shadow across her face.

Before, he was used to pulling all-nighters alone, the quiet company of his experiments his only solace. But tonight, having someone there beside him felt strangely comforting, an unfamiliar yet intriguing change.

By the time they left the lab, it was already the early hours of the morning.

Back at their apartment building, they exchanged a brief "Goodnight," with Roseanne heading into her apartment first.

Owen couldn't help but watch her slender figure disappearing through the door, reminding him of the afternoon's downpour when he saw her standing in the hotel lobby, looking as though she'd stepped out of a painting. Her elegance seemed out of place in their mundane surroundings.

Owen shook his head to shake off his thoughts and quickly ducked back into his apartment, feeling strangely vulnerable.

After a quick shower, Roseanne was out like a light, the exhaustion of the day pulling her into a deep sleep. Across town, under the same night sky, Millie was having a far less peaceful night. It was already 2 AM, and Murray hadn't come home yet.

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The harsh words Beverley had thrown at her earlier in the day were like thorns in her mind, impossible to shake off. Frustrated and unable to sleep, she threw off her covers, slipping out of bed in her nightgown to pace the house.

The mansion was eerily quiet, the darkness almost oppressive. "Where is everyone?!" she yelled, her voice echoing through the empty halls.

Startled from their sleep, two housekeepers scrambled to their feet, barely managing to throw on their robes before rushing to Millie's side. "Ms. Millie, what's wrong? Are you not feeling well? Should we call a doctor?"

Millie stood there with a dark expression and snapped, "You two sleep like the dead! Are you here to have fun or to look after me and the kid?!"

The housekeepers, completely taken

aback by the outburst, were at a loss for words. In their minds, they wondered what else they could possibly do in the middle of the night besides sleep. Yet, they knew better than to voice these thoughts out loue, especially knowing Millie's temper and the influence of the Sherwood family behind her.

"Ms. Millie, what do you need?" one of them managed to ask, trying to keep the peace.

"I want some chicken soup," Millie demanded, her tone leaving no room for argument.

"Now?" The housekeeper's voice trembled slightly, unsure.

Millie's sneer was cold. "Is there a problem?"

"...No. I'll start on it right away."

Satisfied, Millie shifted, feeling a dull ache in her back from the day's activities and the restless night.

She turned to the other housekeeper. "You, come here and give me a massage."

The housekeeper hesitated, caught off guard. "Me?"

Millie's patience was wearing thin. "Do you see anyone else here besides you and me? Stop playing dumb and come here. I'm exhausted." "But, Ms. Millie, with your pregnancy, it's not advisable to just-"

"Are you refusing to help me?" Millie

cut her off, her anger flaring. "I don't care about your excuses. If you won't do as I ask, you can leave!"

Though the housekeeper wanted to explain the risks, Millie's aggressive stance made it clear she wasn't open to discussion. With a heavy heart and a sense of resignation, she tand complied, knowing all too well the consequences of defying Millie's Wishes.