Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

The neighbor gossiped, "Seriously? Without a job or education, what's she up to?"

"Oh, you know, playing sugar baby to the rich! Just lie down and spread her legs. And voila, her bank account's blooming. Why bother hunting for a job?"

"Yikes! Hazel, watch your mouth! That's a lady's reputation you're messing with!"

Hazel continued, "Hmph. If his daughter has worked a decent job, why hasn't she shown her face around here in years? She's ashamed, and that's why. Norris surely doesn't want the scandal. In a small town like ours, gossip spreads faster than wildfire. How's he supposed to keep his head high as a teacher?"

"Oh, my lord..."

These whispers never reached Norris. Even if they had, he might have kept to his silence.

In his eyes, what his daughter was doing wasn't much different from being kept as a mistress in a big house.

When Roseanne stepped off the train, she couldn't help but wrap her down jacket tighter around herself. Despite Pinehollow being farther south than Lumina City, it was still bitterly cold this time of the year. She sat in the taxi, watching the scenery reel backward, memories of her hometown slowly aligned with the view outside the window.

With its modest population, Pinehollow had seen its heavy industries move out over the years. The government pushed tourism, leading to significant greening efforts along the roads. They had the old buildings refurbished and parks newly minted. Only the old town retained its original look, with the river dividing the new from the old.

In summer, people would boat on the river.

In winter, its flowing surface would freeze over, breaking at the slightest touch and scattering like diamonds, shimmering brightly.

An ancient arch bridge spanned the river, and the Cole family lived at one end. While she was walking through the alleys, the sign for Pinehollow Horizon Future Middle School Staff Quarters soon came into view.

Once a top physics student of his generation at Twilight Peak Academy, Norris got specially invited to teach at Pinehollow Horizon Future Middle School.

Within a year, he became the head

of the physics department. He also founded the school's physics competition team, sending quite a few students to international contests, all of whom went to prestigious universities and achieved great success.

Being hailed as a teacher whose influence spread far and wide wasn't an overstatement. His teaching excellence secured him among the first batch of teachers to enjoy housing benefits, and he was the youngest. Original content from NôvelDrama.Org.

Thinking of her father, Roseanne felt a wave of emotion.

"I told you to aim high, and this is your choice? For a man, you're willing to throw away your future?"

"To think I, Norris, have failed so miserably as a teacher and a father!"

"If you leave with him, don't ever come back. Don't ever consider us your family!"

"Anne, are you sure about this? Are you willing to give up your parents for him?"

"Fine, from now on, I'm not your father, and you are not my daughter!"

"Young lady, we're here." The driver's voice brought her back to reality.

Roseanne quickly paid him. "Thank you."

The Cole family lived on the ground floor. They had a cute little yard mostly taken up by a wisteria trellis. Her dad had built it for her mom 'cause she loved purple so much.

When in bloom, the cascading vines

filled with vibrant flowers were her mother's favorite retreat. Seeing her love for it, Norris had constructed a swing for her. But as she grew older, the swing was left forgotten. She had been gone for education and six years had passed without seeing the wisteria or the swing. Wondering how they fared brought a stinging to her eyes.

Standing before her home, Roseanne took a deep breath and knocked.