Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Chapter 848
Madge finally told her parents the truth about what had happened all those years ago.
Their outrage was only natural, and their bitterness was to be expected.
Thankfully, neither of them got so worked up that it affected their health; no one fainted on the spot, either.
That was a huge relief for Madge.
Gradually, her parents calmed down, and within a few days, it was as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened at all.
Instead of returning to Pinehollow, Madge and Norris talked things over and decided to stay on in Lumina City for a while longer.
Partly, they wanted to keep the older couple company. But, more than that, they worried that, after learning the truth, her parents
might do something reckless.
After all, the way her mother had clenched her jaw and shot furious glares was enough to send shivers down anyone's spine.
Yet, after venting her anger, it seemed the worst had passed.
But Madge couldn't rest easy.
Norris tried to reassure her. "You're overthinking it, honey. Your folks seem happy as can be. They're all smiles every day-doesn't
look like they're hiding anything to me."
Madge shook her head. "You don't understand."
"What don't I understand?"

"I couldn't explain it if I tried. I just have this uneasy feeling in my gut."
It was like...
That strange calm right before a storm.
The more peaceful things seemed, the more dangerous it felt.
Because-

No one could know when it all might explode.
On February 9th, Neely turned eighty.
The Rodriguez family had always kept a low profile; most people in their circle had almost forgotten the name altogether.
So when invitations went out for a grand celebration, it caught everyone by surprise. It almost didn't feel real.
The Rodriguez family was, after all, a
dynasty with a century of history and deep roots. Just look at the "Rodriguez Mansion"-now one of Lumina City's most famous
landmarks and a must-see for tourists. Once upon a time it was merely the family's summer retreat.
And they had more just like it-five or six such estates scattered across
the country: Go back far enough, to before the wars, and there were even more. Most
e destro net
the chaos, and only a handfub survived to this day.
in
Years ago, the family's daughter vanished without a trace. Some whispered she'd been kidnapped, others claimed she'd run

away, and a few even hinted at darker things.
After that, Neely and Geneva were never the same. Rumor had it they'd left the country to retire overseas and had no plans to
return.
No one could have guessed-
That the new year would bring such astonishing news.
Suddenly, everyone was abuzz with curiosity.
"I heard this birthday party isn't just about celebrating the old man. The Rodriguez family's planning to announce their long-lost
daughter's return-she's officially coming home."

"Coming home? What's going on?"
"You haven't heard? It's all over town! Ms. Aberdeen-the one who disappeared- they found her! And she's back with her own
family in tow."
"No way! Hasn't she been missing for over twenty years? How'd they find her now? Are we sure it's not an imposter?"
"Come on, it's the twenty-first century. They'd have done DNA tests, obviously."
"Funny thing—my mom's got a distant connection to the Rodriguez clan. I can tell you for sure, it's no fake. Neely and Geneva
found her themselves. There's no way it could be a sham."
"Still, even if it's really her, who knows what she's been through after all these years? I heard she brought back a daughter, too.
Doesn't sound like good news to me."
"Anyone seen them? I heard they're nothing special, but I don't know what that's supposed to mean..."
"Oh, please! Even if she was
amazing, you wouldn't stand a chance. She's not some
twenty-something girl-you'd have to call her Auntie'! And even if you somehow got the nerve to try, she wouldn't even look twice
at you!" Cóntent belongs to
"As if I'd set my sights on Ms. Aberdeen. She's family! I'm not that twisted."