Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed
Chapter 500

"Really, it's fine, I..." Owen hesitated, "I have someone I like."

"What?!" Norris's eyes lit up instantly. "For real? Did you confess? Why aren't you two together yet?"

The dreaded triple question barrage.

Owen: "..." He should have known better than to answer.

The group parted ways at the doorstep.

Owen turned left, unlocking his door to head inside, while the family of three moved right. Madge smiled her thanks to him-

"Owen, you've really outdone yourself today."

"Mrs. Cole, you're too kind. Getting your autographed book today was a win for me."

That one line had Madge grinning from ear to ear.

Roseanne went to take a shower.

As usual, she tied her hair up and donned a shower cap to keep it dry. But reaching behind her, she felt only the hair clip, belatedly realizing her hair was already done up. Staring at her reflection, she shook her head vigorously, but the clip didn't budge. Wow-

That skill was impressive.

But why couldn't she master it herself?

It made no sense... Unscientific...

Frustrating!

After freshening up, Madge and Norris retired to their room, lying in bed with the lights on, chatting away.

It was then that Stoner's message came through.

[Ms. Madge, congratulations!]

[Seven Days hit a new sales record today, and several film studios have reached out to me, expressing interest in acquiring the adaptation rights for the book.]

[Just got off the phone with the publisher 30 minutes ago; our first print run has sold out, and the factory is working overtime on a new batch. Also, your second royalty payment has been processed, I'll transfer it to you shortly.]

[I was going to call, but considering you might be resting at this hour, thought a message would be better. I could have waited till tomorrow, but I'm just too excited haha.]

Reading the message, Madge couldn't help but wrap her arms around her husband in sheer joy.

Norris was taken aback, love hitting him like a tornado.

Before she could even calm down, her phone pinged with a bank notification.

Opening it, Madge saw an amount of over $300,000!

Hadn't it been just a short while since the last payment?

Another few hundred thousand?

And this was just from the physical book sales. According to Stoner, there would likely be more from the adaptation rights... "Honey, we're rich!"

Not "I'm rich," but "we're rich."

In that moment, Norris felt a lump in his throat.

"I'm sorry, Madge, I..."

"What are you trying to say?"

Madge's smile faded. "You're notz going to get all sentimental on me now, are you? Saying you're useless, sorry for not providing a better life for us, and all that?" Ebookex

Norris shook his head vigorously. "Would I ever? Am I that kind of guy?"

"Then why apologize?"

"I meant to say, sorry, but it looks like I'll be living off you from now on, and I couldn't be happier! Haha! If Sanford knew, he'd be green with envy, you believe me?" Sanford, Norris's coworker, a rival in gardening and hydrangea cultivation.

Far away in Pinehollow, Sanford sneezes-Is he catching a cold?

Madge couldn't help but laugh,

"That's more like it. You better not

start with the whole 'earning less money, feeling inferior, getting irritable, always having to be right" spiel. Only a lousy man gets jealous and feels inferior about his swife

making money. A normal person

would be thrilled!"

Norris nodded like a bobblehead. "Exactly! Exactly!"

Only fools get jealous.

When the wife is doing well, the husband benefits too. What's there to feel inferior about?

...

Having previously mentioned

wanting to treat York Gibson to a meal in gratitude, and with the book signing event successfully behind her, Madge quickly had Roseanne make arrangements.

They settled on a seafood restaurant.

Located near SKP, known for its daily limited supply and heart-stoppingly high average bill, Roseanne had to book their spot two days in advance.