Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Chapter 837
“I'll admit, I sometimes wondered if you were still alive-maybe crippled, maybe sold off to some remote mountain village, or
maybe just begging on the streets... But never, not for a second, did I imagine you'd be living so comfortably."
"Aberdeen, how is it you always land on your feet? Even after being kidnapped, you managed to come back in one piece, and
everyone just treats you exactly the same as before."
Madge's lips curled with a hint of mischief. "Sounds like you're really jealous of me."
Kathleen's laugh was cold, razor-sharp. “Jealous? Sure, I'm jealous. But more than that, I hate you."
Suddenly, footsteps echoed down the hall. Roseanne's voice broke the tension.
"Mom?"
Madge gave her a lingering look, then turned and walked further inside. "Anne, I'm here "
"Grandma's been looking for you everywhere, wanted to know where you went."
"I just finished sorting some things-I'll be right there."
Kathleen stayed where she was, rooted to the spot.
Snowflakes settled on her shoulders, melting into her hair, the chill seeping from her scalp all the way down to her heart.
When Teague and his son Corley emerged from the study, the old matriarch was gone, leaving only Madge in the living room.
Kathleen had already slipped away somewhere, though no one could say when.
Teague didn't ask a single question.
"Dad, I'm going out for a smoke," Corley said, striding toward the door.
Teague's gaze drifted to Madge. He crossed the room to stand before her, his heart pounding, each beat loud and
uncontrollable.
"Happy New Year, Madge."

"Happy New Year." Madge smiled, returning the greeting.
Their eyes met his dark and fathomless, hers calm as a still lake.
"Finished talking with Dad?"
"Yeah." Teague nodded. "I should get going."
"Alright." Madge called out toward the kitchen, "Norris, hold off a minute―come
out here and help us see Uncle off."
That single word-Uncle-hit Teague like an arrow to the chest.
He lowered his eyes, hiding the pain and sorrow that flickered in them.
"Coming!" Norris hurried out, hands still wet from the sink.
Madge handed him a napkin. "Dry off."
"Thanks." Norris wiped his hands. "The soup's almost ready, just needs a few more minutes."
Earlier, Madge had gone out into the garden, and when she came back, she said she was cold and wanted something hot to
drink.
The old
fetchdy had rushed upstairs to
hand warmer, while.
Norris had dashed into the kitchen
to prepare her soup. Contene
That's why, when Teague came out, Madge was the only one in the living room.
"Let's go," Madge said lightly. "We'll walk Uncle out."
"Sure thing," Norris replied with a cheerful nod.

Teague said nothing.
At the door, he spotted Corley
I.ne

outside, a cigarette between his fingers. Teague suddenly found craving one too.
"Corley."
Corley glanced back. "Leaving already, Dad?"
"Yeah."
He stubbed out his cigarette, ready to join them.
Madge
her daughter and quickly called out, "Anne, come
over Let's see your brother and pet
your
uncle off together."
Corley's eyes flickered-he nearly reached for another cigarette.
At that moment, he and his father exchanged a look, both catching the silent ache and bitterness in the other's eyes.
With Madge and her children waving them off, Teague and Corley each drove away in opposite directions.
Corley headed back to his apartment. Teague took the turn for home, and father and son parted at the intersection.
Suddenly, Teague's phone rang. He pulled over and answered.
"What is it?"
Kathleen's voice came through, tense and stiff. "I saw your car. I'm at the coffee shop next door."

Moments later, after the call ended, Kathleen climbed into the passenger seat.
As she opened the door, a blast of cold air swept in.
Teague restarted the engine and drove in silence toward the house.
Once they arrived, Kathleen flicked on the lights and turned to him—then—
Smack!
The sharp slap echoed through the hall.
Her head snapped to the side.
"Teague, are you insane?!" she shrieked, eyes wide with disbelief.
"I heard everything."
Kathleen froze.
Heard what?