Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed
Chapter 129

At ten in the evening, the snow began to fall silently again. Owen closed his umbrella, shaking off the accumulating snowflakes, which soon melted into water droplets.

The lab had faced many issues, one problem after another. Even for someone as seasoned as Owen, it was starting to take its toll.

As the end of the year approached, the festive spirit grew stronger. He hadn't had a good night's sleep in days. However, with the lab data finally corrected to safe levels, and considering it was almost time for the holiday season, he decided to give everyone a few days off. Fumbling for his keys, Owen was about to unlock his door when he heard the door behind him open.

A cozy, yellow glow washed over the floor and onto him, lighting up the dim corridor.

Roseanne's voice was like a warm ember in the cold winter air. "Mr. Reynolds, you're home early today. Mrs. Thompson on the third floor had a granddaughter and sent over the invitation for the baby's baptism this afternoon. I've got yours here. Give me a moment, and I'll grab it for you."

Owen, whose senses were usually sharper than most, felt his mind lag a half beat behind at the sound of her clear, gentle voice. It wasn't until a small basket was pressed into his hands, filled with several perfectly round cupcakes and a jar of her homemade beef stew, that he snapped back to reality.

It took him a moment to respond with a deep, slightly hoarse "Thank you."

A cold breeze swept through the hallway, causing Roseanne to shiver. "I've warmed up the stew and cupcakes for you. Eat them while they're hot. I'll close the door now."

"Okay."

The brief light was out, and the door closed once again.

Owen entered his apartment and turned on the light, replaceing the usually spacious room cold and silent.

Feeling weighed down, he rubbed his temples and opened the beef stew. The aroma of beef mixed with hints of rosemary and softened carrots filled the air. He took a bite, replaceing the seasoning just right. Glancing at the cupcakes, he hesitated but eventually had one with the stew. Surprisingly, it wasn't bad.

Soon, he felt warmth spreading through his body. He lounged lazily on the couch, letting his thoughts drift, his mood gradually lightening.

His phone buzzed a few times on the table.

Without even checking, he knew who it was.

He had always been abroad in the past years, missing every family gathering at the old house. This year, with plans to stay in the country long-term, attending family gatherings was inevitable.

Sure enough, after ignoring the morning calls, the evening brought a barrage of messages.

Picking up his phone, he saw most were from his mother, probing and caring, with a few from siblings asking various questions.

Only one message was from his father, echoing his mother's sentiments but urging him to come home. Owen replied to each, promising to finish his work as soon as possible.

Owen put down the phone, and his gaze fell on the empty stew jar with only two pieces of carrot left. Suddenly, he thought about going home in a few days. When he saw Roseanne again, it would probably be after the holidays. Would Roseanne stay in Lumina for the holidays?

Owen had contemplated returning the stew jar to Roseanne several times but could never bring himself to knock on her door.

Unbeknownst to him, Roseanne was already packing her bags, heading to the train station. For six years, she hadn't gone home once.

Hovering over the ticket purchase on her phone, she hesitated for a long time, exiting and re-entering the app, only to finally press the buy button.

There were some things she couldn't avoid forever. She had to face them eventually.