Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed novel Chapter 837

“I’ll admit, I sometimes wondered if you were still alive—maybe crippled, maybe sold off to some remote mountain village, or maybe just begging on the streets... But never, not for a second, did I imagine you’d be living so comfortably.”

“Aberdeen, how is it you always land on your feet? Even after being kidnapped, you managed to come back in one piece, and everyone just treats you exactly the same as before.”

Madge’s lips curled with a hint of mischief. “Sounds like you’re really jealous of me.”

Kathleen’s laugh was cold, razor-sharp. “Jealous? Sure, I’m jealous. But more than that, I hate you.”

Suddenly, footsteps echoed down the hall. Roseanne’s voice broke the tension.

“Mom?”

Madge gave her a lingering look, then turned and walked further inside. “Anne, I’m here—”

“Grandma’s been looking for you everywhere, wanted to know where you went.”

“I just finished sorting some things—I’ll be right there.”

Kathleen stayed where she was, rooted to the spot.

Snowflakes settled on her shoulders, melting into her hair, the chill seeping from her scalp all the way down to her heart.

…

When Teague and his son Corley emerged from the study, the old matriarch was gone, leaving only Madge in the living room.

Kathleen had already slipped away somewhere, though no one could say when.

Teague didn’t ask a single question.

“Dad, I’m going out for a smoke,” Corley said, striding toward the door.

Teague’s gaze drifted to Madge. He crossed the room to stand before her, his heart pounding, each beat loud and uncontrollable.

“Happy New Year, Madge.”

“Happy New Year.” Madge smiled, returning the greeting.

Their eyes met—his dark and fathomless, hers calm as a still lake.

“Finished talking with Dad?”

“Yeah.” Teague nodded. “I should get going.”

“Alright.” Madge called out toward the kitchen, “Norris, hold off a minute—come out here and help us see Uncle off.”

That single word—Uncle—hit Teague like an arrow to the chest.

He lowered his eyes, hiding the pain and sorrow that flickered in them.

“Coming!” Norris hurried out, hands still wet from the sink.

Madge handed him a napkin. “Dry off.”

“Thanks.” Norris wiped his hands. “The soup’s almost ready, just needs a few more minutes.”

Earlier, Madge had gone out into the garden, and when she came back, she said she was cold and wanted something hot to drink.