Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed
Chapter 140

And from the conversations between her and her mom, Roseanne didn't hear any concern for the author from the publisher, just oppression and manipulative tactics. "Can we, please? Can we, please~"

"Alright, I'll send it over when we get home. Just worried you might not have the patience to read through it!"

Roseanne promised, "Absolutely not!"

...

When they got home, Norris was out front, struggling with hanging the holiday garlands. He couldn't get the full picture, but Roseanne tilted her head and noticed, "Dad, it looks a bit crooked." "A bit to the left."

Madge got out of the car, tsking and shaking her head, "I think it's too high. You should move it down a bit."

Norris obediently shifted the garland down a few inches, only to hear Madge say, "No, now it's too low. A bit higher."

Roseanne chimed in, "That looks about right."

After Norris finished, he stepped down from the ladder and checked both sides, feeling something was off, "Does it not align properly?"

Madge spotted the mistake. "...did you hang them up wrong?"

Norris coughed awkwardly, saying, "...seems like I did."

He'd mixed up the garlands meant for the lobby and the front door, making them asymmetrical. No wonder it looked odd.

Madge nonchalantly remarked, "There you go, brain stops working the minute holiday break starts..."

Norris was speechless.

Roseanne couldn't help but snort, bursting into laughter.

...

Christmas Eve.

Madge was kneading dough, preparing Roseanne's favorite beef pies with thin wrappers and generous filling, utterly appetizing.

As per tradition, Norris prepared a feast, including the essentials like chicken, lamb chop, fish, along with local favorites like pork and beef pies.

By five in the afternoon, the three of them sat down for a lavish Christmas Eve dinner.

After the meal, Roseanne started to clean up, but Madge quickly stopped her, "Don't bother, go watch TV in the living room. Your dad and I got this." Norris peeked from the kitchen, "Exactly, if you can't sit still, go play outside in the yard."

Nevertheless, Roseanne still helped take out the trash, then washed and cut fruits, opened snacks, and placed them in a basket for easy access.

At seven, with everything tidied up, the family sat down together, and fireworks could already be heard outside.

Roseanne opened the window, watching fireworks bloom and fade in the night sky, resting her chin on her hands, basking in the fleeting peace and happiness. Suddenly, her phone vibrated.

A Christmas' greeting from Leda. Roseanne smiled and sent back a long blessing.

Instantly, a video call came through.

Leda's hair was slightly curled, wearing a pearl clip, a departure from her usual style, demure and ladylike, obviously toned down for the holidays.

Roseanne guessed right away; Leda only dressed down when meeting elders.

But Leda was surprised seeing the background in Roseanne's video, "I thought like previous years, you'd be in Lumina City for Christmas. Was thinking of calling you out after dinner, but looking at your room, you went back to your hometown?" In the six years Roseanne had been with Murray, they'd always spent Christmas Eve in Lumina City.

Beverley never liked her, thinking her background and education were too ordinary, yet she dared to dream of entering the Sherwood family. Beverley never showed her a kind face, let alone invite her over for the holidays.

At first, Roseanne felt hurt, but eventually, she accepted it, thinking since Beverley didn't like her, they should just keep their distance.