Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Chapter 831
Madge smiled. "Peeling some fruit is no trouble at all—it'll be ready in a minute."
She was mindful that both chefs had already gone home for the holidays. It was only fair to give them a break and let them catch
their breath at this time of year.
With that, she made her way to the kitchen.
The old woman watched her daughter's retreating figure, unable to look away, a gentle smile tugging at her lips.
After months of treatment—and her own determined cooperation-her eyesight had improved rapidly. Reading small print or
paperbacks was still a challenge, but watching TV and recognizing people in daily life posed no problem anymore.
She felt endlessly grateful that she'd listened to advice and hadn't given up on the treatments. If she had...
Now, she found she simply couldn't get enough of looking at her daughter.
"Mom, the weather's been so cold lately, and I know you've always preferred milder winters. I heard there's a lovely place in
Thornhaven that's perfect for escaping the chill. Why not let me take you and Dad there for a while after the holidays?"

With Madge gone, Kathleen's eyes lit up. She sat down beside her mother, wearing a bright smile.
But as Kathleen drew close, Geneva's smile faded a little. "That's not necessary. We're perfectly comfortable at home. If your
father and I want a change, we can arrange it ourselves. You don't need to worry."
Kathleen replied, “Of course, I know you and Dad can make your own plans, but... I just wanted to show I care, as your
daughter."
"We're not planning to travel anytime soon," Geneva said flatly, making her meaning clear. She simply didn't want to go.
"Why not?" Kathleen's fingers tightened around each other. "Is it because Madge is back?"
She'd kept a smile on her face at dinner, but watching her parents dote on Madge —and even treat Norris, practically a stranger,
better than her had stoked a bitter resentment inside her, one she'd only kept at bay for the sake of appearances.
Now, she couldn't hold it in anymore.

She let out a cold laugh. “Mom, I've never understood something."
"Why do you dislike me so much? Is it because Madge and I went away together, and only I came back? Would you have been
happier if I'd gone missing, too-if neither of us had returned?"
"Now that Madge is home, I thought you'd finally let go of your grudges still
and accept me again. But you're

the same... What did I do wrong to deserve this?"
Her voice trembled, on the verge of breaking.
It had always been like this. Her parents showed extra tenderness to their real daughter, never treating them equally.
Why was Madge the precious one, while she was nothing but a weed underfoot?
Geneva met her eyes, her voice slow and deliberate. "You really don't know what you did wrong? Unbelievable..."
Just then, Madge reappeared with a platter of fruit.
She called out to Kathleen and her mother, inviting them to have some. Before she could finish, Kathleen cut in, "Madge, come
help me for a. moment. I brought a lot of seafood and dried goods this time-Ineed to show you how to store them
properly."
Geneva's tone was cool. "Let the staff handle it, Madge. You don't need to bother."
Another rebuff, and Kathleen's expression darkened even further.
But Madge just smiled. "With this weather, dried goods can get damp and spoil if
we're not careful. I'd better go take a look."
Geneva frowned but didn't press the matter.
Kathleen, brimming with pent-up frustration, led Madge out to the garden. The world around them suddenly fell quiet.
It was the first time in years the sisters had stood together like this-face to face, alone.

Madge could sense Kathleen had something to say.
And she realized, she had words of her own that needed to be spoken.
"Go ahead, Kathleen," she said softly. "Say whatever's on your mind."