Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed novel Chapter 842

A flurry of relatives and friends started asking questions, and Beverley had no choice but to cover for him, pretending Murray was away on a business trip.

But no one was naïve—who goes on a business trip on New Year’s Eve?

Still, nobody had the nerve to tear away her flimsy excuse.

Beverley couldn’t help but think back to better times—

Back when Murray’s startup soared to success, when the whole family basked in his glow and she was the proud mother everyone envied.

Relatives and friends would line up to praise her for raising such an accomplished son.

Her daughter was beautiful, thoughtful, and devoted—always at her side, charming guests with effortless grace.

Even Roseanne, though never officially recognized as family and not allowed at the Sherwoods’ New Year’s dinner, never missed sending a gift. Each one was carefully chosen, elegant and heartfelt.

But those days were gone, lost to time.

The more Beverley thought about it, the more hollow everything felt.

If only she hadn’t stood in the way of Roseanne marrying into the Sherwood family, maybe Murray wouldn’t have ended up like this.

Maybe they’d still be a happy, united family.

Laughter around the table. A mother’s love, a son’s devotion.

She closed her eyes, exhausted.

Regret washed over her.

Real regret, the kind that leaves nothing behind but a dull ache.

But it was far, far too late to fix any of it.

…

“Murray, are you sure you don’t want me to walk you in?”

“No need.” Murray straightened, waving him off. “You go on.”

“Alright, just take care of yourself. I’m really leaving, okay?”

“Go ahead.”

Murray pushed open the front door of the house.

Cliff watched him go, unable to stifle a sigh.

It was New Year’s Eve—he should have been home with his family, eating dinner, playing cards, watching TV. But instead, one call from the bar manager had upended everything.

Murray was drunk—again.

Since both of them were regulars at that bar, the manager called Cliff first.