Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed novel Chapter 679

Memories, long dormant, began to stir awake.

Fragments of the past flashed through Kathleen's mind, particularly the image of those despairing, tear-filled eyes that haunted her nightmares.

Her voice was raspy with emotion, "Why is Aberdeen's kidnapping blamed on me, just because I happened to be with her when she left? Is it fair to pin her disappearance on me just because of that?"

"If I had known it would come to this, I would have rather been the one taken. Then, perhaps my grandparents would be obsessing over my absence instead."

Kathleen seemed to be lost in her memories, tears streaming down her face, consumed by guilt.

Corley couldn't bear to see his mother like this.

Remembering how his grandmother had recently become obsessed with a mystery novel titled "Seven Days," he offered Kathleen a suggestion: "Gran's been really into 'Seven Days' lately. Getting her a signed copy, especially one personalized to her, would make her day."

Seeing Kathleen's mood brighten at the suggestion, he quickly added a word of caution, "You know how Gran can be. Let's take it slow. Get the signed copy first and tell me; I'll help you present it to her..."

Better to tread carefully than to make things worse.

"Alright, alright, I get it," Kathleen dismissed the concern lightly. "A signed book, how hard can it be?"

Corley, seeing her eager to move on the matter, held back further advice. He had said his piece; the rest was up to fate.

An assistant called Corley about an urgent document needing his attention, and he rushed off to the office.

Kathleen called the butler, detailing her request: "...I'm not sure who the author is, but the title is 'Seven Days,' a new mystery novel. No matter the cost or method, I want that book."

"What should the inscription say?" the butler inquired, having overheard the plan.