Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed novel Chapter 843

But… the family portrait was taken, the parents were introduced, and they even spent the holidays together!

Unlike last time, when all she posted was a picture of the food, with just the edge of Roseanne’s chin sneaking into the frame—this time, it was official. Everyone was there, standing together, smiling for the camera.

It wasn’t just a casual get-together anymore. With this kind of display, they might as well be planning the wedding.

No wonder Murray was losing his mind.

Cliff mulled it over, then decided to call Corley, hoping to fish for some answers.

If… if he’d misunderstood and Roseanne meeting Corley’s parents wasn’t what it seemed, then maybe Murray could stop drowning his sorrows in whiskey.

“Corley, happy New Year! Figured I’d call and say it in person.”

On the other end: “Happy New Year, Cliff.”

“Celebrating with your folks? Pass my regards to your parents, will you?”

“Thanks, I will.”

“Our families live just a couple blocks apart. Hang tight, I’ll swing by and drop off a couple bottles of good wine—”

“No need, I’m not at the Hawthorne house.”

“Huh?” Cliff’s eyes flickered. “Then where are you?”

“With my grandparents.”

“Ohhh—” He feigned sudden understanding. “This wine really is something special, though. Maybe I’ll just drop some off for your folks. You can have a glass when you’re back. So, spending the holidays with your grandparents—don’t tell me they’ve been bugging you about settling down?”

Silence on the other end.

Cliff chuckled, then quickly tried to smooth things over. “Honestly, can’t they come up with something new? Every year it’s the same old questions, over and over. Drives me crazy…”

Corley gave a soft laugh. “Compared to you, I’ve got it easy. They didn’t bring it up this year.”

His grandparents were too busy doting on their long-lost daughter to worry about him.

Cliff’s heart sank.

Not getting nagged about marriage? That could only mean… he already had someone!

Damn it—

Was he really with Roseanne?

Cliff didn’t even want to imagine what would happen if those two showed up together in front of Murray, all sweet and cozy. The guy would go completely off the rails.

—