Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Roseanne had been working nonstop through the holidays, only managing to stay away from the lab three days before New Year's Eve.
And that was because—
Norris and Madge had just arrived from Pinehollow.
The couple had already agreed that this year, they'd be spending New Year's Eve in Lumina City, keeping Neely and Geneva company.
Roseanne had no idea how Norris had managed to convince his parents and his two older brothers, but, somehow, he and Madge had made it to
Lumina City together.
They were supposed to arrive two weeks earlier, but right before they were set to leave, Madge was suddenly struck by inspiration and locked herself
away for a week. After that, she had to attend a book signing in Luminis, which delayed them even further.
The next morning, Roseanne drove out to the train station.
It was peak holiday season, and the station was packed with people surging in every direction. Roseanne waited for about ten minutes before she
finally spotted Norris and Madge making their way through the crowd.
“Dad—Mom!”
She jumped up and waved.

Madge stood out easily—tall and striking in a bright red coat, impossible to miss in the sea of travelers.
Next to her, Norris was half a head taller, pushing a suitcase and juggling several more bags in his hands.
Madge, in contrast, carried just a single handbag, looking every bit the part of someone on vacation.
At first glance, you’d think she was a lady of leisure and Norris her devoted butler.
But the reality was quite different—
“Let me carry some of those!” Madge reached for the bags for what must have been the tenth time.
As expected, Norris sidestepped her hand, insisting, “No need! It’s really not that much. I’ve got it. You just walk ahead and enjoy yourself.”
To prove his point, he even hefted the bags a little, looking ridiculously pleased with himself.

Madge pouted, “No, I want to help.”
Norris was adamant, “Nope. I’m not letting you.”
“No—”
“No—”
Roseanne approached just in time to hear her parents bickering over who got to carry the bags.
She ventured, “How about I help you with some of those, Dad?”
That seemed to satisfy both of them.
Roseanne blinked in confusion.

So, in the end, she wound up carrying everything.
Once they made their way out to the wide, open parking lot, the three of them finally had a chance to catch their breath and talk.
Madge hadn’t seen her daughter in a while and had missed her terribly.
She reached out, cupping Roseanne’s face, then delivered the line that mothers everywhere seemed destined to say: “Why do you look like you’ve
lost weight?”

At the mention of Geneva, Madge’s expression softened. “How are your grandparents? Are they both doing well?”

That’s why, when Madge had to leave town for her signing and the elderly couple decided to return to Lumina City, she hadn’t tried to change their
minds.
She figured Geneva was more comfortable here, more used to the environment.
Besides, it was time for a check-up. Pinehollow’s clinics were decent, but nothing compared to what the capital offered.
So going back really was the best option.
Even though she hadn’t tried to stop them, Madge still worried.
“Grandma’s been taking her medicine every day, and her eyes are much better now. She says her vision is getting clearer by the day,” Roseanne
assured her.
Madge finally seemed to relax. “That’s good to hear.”

Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed
Chapter 823
Norris rubbed his hands together, exclaiming, “It’s freezing out here. Let’s get in the car. Your grandparents are waiting for us at home.”
“Right,” Roseanne agreed.
Reading History