Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed



"What?" Cliff was taken aback, obviously puzzled.

"Breaking up with Roseanne, did I screw up?"

"...Murray," Cliff looked at him with an expression that screamed volumes, "Are you just now realizing this?"

Murray: "..."

"Roseanne is such a catch! If I were you, I'd hold on to her for dear life, I-"

Oops!

Realizing he might have said too much, Cliff quickly tried to backtrack: “Of course, I don't mean that in a weird way, haha. Just hypothetically, if I were in your shoes, I'd make sure to never let Roseanne go."

A great woman isn't just hanging around on every street corner, you know?

Once you let go, there's bound to be a line of guys waiting to swoop in!

"Honestly, at your birthday party, Roseanne came all cheerful to celebrate with you, and then you decide to break up with her in front of everyone. I was shocked!"

“York felt the same! Afterward, he whispered to me that you were bound to mess things up for yourself."

But it happened sooner than anyone thought.

I thought you two would go back and forth for a bit more, considering how long you've been together. But Roseanne was serious this time... "Murray, I get where you're coming from, but Roseanne now..."

“I know I messed up, and I've admitted my mistakes,” Murray said, staring down, the cigarette in his hand being crushed tighter, “but she still won't forgive me..."

"Cliff, what do I do to win her back?"

That question really stumped Cliff.

He knew that with Roseanne's personality, winning her back was a long shot.

But how could he say that?

Seeing Murray so downcast, Cliff felt uneasy-

"Murray, there are plenty of great women out there. Why not look ahead? You might find a new surprise, who knows?"

Murray chuckled faintly, the cigarette now crumpled in his palm, with bits of tobacco starting to fall out: "Yeah, there are plenty of great women. But there's only one Roseanne."

Cliff was speechless.

If only you knew what you had when you had it.

"Who ordered the rideshare? License ending in 5593-"

"That's me! I did!" Cliff quickly spoke up, "Murray, I should head out then, you...”

He paused, "Try to move on."

Cliff got into the car and left.

Murray stood there, his gaze lowered.

The warm yellow light that fell upon him somehow felt chillingly cold.

The next day was clear.

The sun was gentle, and the breeze was mild.

This time, Norris wanted to explore somewhere different.

"...how about the Rodriguez Mansion then!"

The Rodriguez Mansion, rumored been a private estate

have belo

to a family with the nee

name Rodriguez.

el:

Originally a summer retreat for ancient kings, it was later gifted to a trusted confidant, then to the confidant's daughter as part of her dowry.

Qu

After several changes of hands, it was bought by the wealthy salt merchant Hamilton Rodriguez, and renamed "Rodriguez Mansion."

Before the wars, Hamilton would often bring his family and relatives to spend the summers there. "...and then?" Madge listened with keen interest, her eyes occasionally reflecting deep thought.

"That's it." Roseanne was already standing in front of the last display.

This panel recounted the entire history of the Rodriguez Mansion.

From ancient to modern times, every period of change and ownership was detailed.

It even listed the names of each generation of owners.

Madge: “Does it say who the most recent owner is?"