Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

"Murray, you're back?" Millie's eyes lit up with surprise as she stood up, her bright, starry eyes focusing on him.

Murray asked with a straight face, "What are you doing here?"

"I was waiting for you. I called you earlier today, but you said you were too busy, so I had to wait until you were off work to come over. I hope I didn't interrupt your work." Millie's voice carried a hint of apprehension, her gaze flitting uncertainly.

"No, you didn't." Murray slowly shook his head.

"That's a relief!" Her smile returned, only to fade as she hesitated, "Murray, I'm hungry."

Millie looked down with her cheeks puffed out in a pout.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

Murray began, "Come on, let's go grab something to eat."

"Really? Awesome!"

They ended up at a cozy restaurant, where Murray barely touched his food while Millie delighted in the array of traditional delicacies.

Perhaps noticing his subdued mood, she spoke less than usual.

"Are you full?"

Millie nodded enthusiastically, "Yep!"

Murray nodded. "Alright, let's get you back to campus."

"Okay."

It was a ten-minute drive to Grandstone Institute. After the car pulled up, Millie hesitated before opening the door, turning to Murray, "Aren't you coming in?" Murray nodded, "Sure."

The entrance of Grandstone Institute was bustling, with students heading out for fun.

Being the undisputed campus beauty, Millie drew many curious glances, especially since she was arm-in-arm with an impressively handsome man.

Blissfully ignoring the whispers around them, Millie looked back at Murray, her smile radiant, "When can I introduce you to my roommates? They're dying of curiosity about you."

Indeed, the whole Grandstone Institute was curious about the enigmatic man dating their beloved campus darling.

Once, when another woman was by his side, Millie wouldn't dare show off their relationship.

But things had changed. Murray had promised Millie a title. He had fulfilled his promise, freeing her from any need to hide.

Murray remained silent, clearly uninterested in meeting her roommates.

Yet Millie seemed oblivious to his disinterest, her excitement undimmed. "It's wonderful, Murray. Every second with you is a joy." With those words, she suddenly faced him, her ponytail swaying gently behind her as she leaped up, planting a soft kiss on his lips. Gasps and murmurs of admiration filled the air.

"So, the rumors are true. The campus beauty is off the market!"

"It's like something out of a TV drama!"

"Millie looks gorgeous, and her boyfriend is so handsome."

"They're perfect for each other, a match made in heaven!"

Roseanne found herself on the edge of the gathering crowd, her attention unexpectedly caught by the spectacle. What a coincidence.

Snapped back to reality by the kiss, Murray faced the smiling girl before him. Suddenly, he was haunted by the memory of another pair of bright, shining eyes. Years ago, at Kingswell University's graduation, a girl had looked at him with the same intensity.

Her eyes sparkling, she said, "Murray, I choose you. And I have no regrets."

Memories he had thought long buried surged forward, striking him deeply. He instinctively stepped back, distancing himself from Millie.

Millie was confused. "Murray? What's wrong?"

Murray managed. "It's late. You should go in."