Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed novel Chapter 853

“Roseanne is the granddaughter of the Rodriguez patriarch and matriarch?” Cliff marveled again, finding it more unbelievable the more he thought about it.

Wait a minute…

“Doesn’t that make her and Corley… family?”

The discovery blew Cliff’s mind. Was this the legendary trope of would-be lovers turning out to be cousins?

Oh, dear lord.

His first thought was that Corley must be losing his mind. His second thought was to look at Murray.

He turned and glanced discreetly at his friend. Murray was staring at the stage, his expression shifting rapidly from stunned confusion to dawning realization, and finally, to unadulterated, ecstatic joy.

Cliff had never seen so many emotions cross a person’s face in such quick succession, each one distinct from the last.

“...Murray? Murray?!”

Murray snapped back to reality. “What did you say?”

“Roseanne and Corley, they’re…”

“Yes, they’re family. No wonder they were always together… no wonder he was meeting her parents.” A grin spread across his face, impossible to suppress.

“Dude, rein it in a little,” Cliff warned.

“Not a chance.”

Ugh.

“You’re enjoying this way too much. It’s pure schadenfreude.”

“Compared to all the times Corley deliberately tried to get under my skin, I’d say I’m being quite merciful,” Murray retorted coldly.

You were the one overthinking things. Cliff thought silently.

In another corner of the hall, Kathleen Rodriguez watched the stage with a blank expression.

From her father formally introducing Madge and Norris, to her mother joining them to announce Roseanne’s identity and calling her their ‘beloved princess,’ and finally to her own son, Corley, escorting Roseanne on stage as if to personally endorse her—Kathleen’s emotions had spiraled from cold amusement and scorn to shock, jealousy, and finally, a bitter sense of defeat.

Her composure had completely shattered.

What a birthday banquet.

What a grand family reunion.

“It seems your parents value your sister a great deal.”

Kathleen fought back the wave of jealousy churning in her gut. “Do you think so?”

“Look at this whole affair. And they both went on stage to introduce her. It’s a very formal gesture.”

“My sister was missing for so many years. It’s only natural they’d shower her with attention now that she’s back. She deserves it.”

Silver sighed softly. “I’m glad you can see it that way.”

Kathleen’s smile didn't waver, but she was clenching her jaw so tightly her cheeks ached.

See it that way?

Bullshit!

Her parents were treating her like a complete outsider.

How could she possibly be okay with any of this?