Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed
Chapter 48

At that moment, Roseanne paused, a memory flashing through her mind of a photograph where she and Millie were walking hand in hand, laughing together. She spoke indifferently, "If you're sick, go to the hospital. I'm not a doctor."

With that, she hung up. Her tone was casual, sounding like the person on the other end was a stranger.

Fuming, Murray clenched his jaws so tight that his whole body trembled, and in rage, he threw his phone against the wall, smashing it to bits.

Standing nearby, Sadie was speechless. That was her phone!

Roseanne's words had struck a nerve, making Murray's blood boil and his stomach ache even worse.

With a stubborn streak worsened by spite, he stormed upstairs and locked himself in his room, thinking, 'Does Roseanne think I can't manage without her? Ridiculous!'

Sadie glanced at her wrecked phone, remembered the call, and sighed, shaking her head. She couldn't fathom what Murray was thinking, letting someone as wonderful as Ms. Cole walk away.

In the afternoon, after Sadie finished cleaning and was about to leave, she knocked on the bedroom door. "Mr. Sherwood?"

There was no answer. Thinking Murray was still upset, she didn't think much of it and left.

Later, Hertha drove to the villa, expertly unlocked the door with a fingerprint scan, and stepped inside. "Murray, I'm here to relay Mom's message. This time, it's Miss Park from Columbia University. Murray, are you there?" Frowning when she received no response, she dialed Murray's phone, only to hear the ringtone inside. Looking down, she saw the phone on the coffee table. If the phone was there, he should be home. Puzzled, she headed upstairs.

"Murray? Are you in there? Mom wants us to have dinner with the Park family. Do you hear me?"

After knocking for ages with no reply, Hertha grew worried.

'What's going on? Why is there no sign of him?'

Frowning, Hertha called Sadie.

Sadie said with worry on the phone, "Mr. Sherwood's been home all day. He looked pale. Probably, his stomach was acting up again, and he'd been quiet. Hope he didn't faint or something." Alarmed, Hertha quickly grabbed a spare key to open the door. Sure enough, as soon as the door swung open, she found Murray pale as a ghost, collapsed on the floor, motionless. Hertha screamed, "Murray..."

...

The icy drip of the IV seemed to ease the unbearable pain slightly.

Exhausted, Murray opened his eyes, his throat parched. "Water..." he murmured

Seeing him awake, Cliff hurriedly handed him a glass of water.

After quenching his thirst, Murray gestured for Cliff to take the water away.

"Murray, feeling any better? Hertha called us and said you passed out, scaring everyone to rush over."

"Yeah, Murray, you always act like everything's fine, then all of a sudden, you end up in the hospital and nearly give us all a heart attack."

Murray glanced around the room. Several friends were there. Corley, York, and others had all come. Hertha was by his bedside, looking worried. And even Beverley had shown up. But Roseanne was nowhere in sight.

Murray forced a smile. She was so heartless.

Murray asked, "What's my situation?"

Cliff replied, "The doctor said it's due to irregular eating habits, and maybe you've been drinking a bit much lately. Uh, so you've got a perforated stomach."

Hertha pouted, "Murray, gosh, you scared me to death! I walked in, seeing you lying there lifeless. Thank goodness you're okay, but the doctor said you need proper rest. Don't take it lightly." Brooding since Murray woke up, Beverley finally erupted, "Where's Roseanne? With something this serious happening, why isn't she here?"