It was a bustling June in theb, and Roseanne had been going nonstop for two weeks before finally getting a day off.


    She had just finished feeding her fish early in the morning when Norris called.


    "Is Anne up?"


    "Yeah, I''m up."


    "Why not sleep in? I thought you said you had the day off from theb to rest."


    "My internal clock''s set, I guess. How''s mom?"


    "In her study."


    "Working on her novel again?"


    "Yep! You know her; mornings are when her muse speaks loudest."This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    Roseanne''s thoughts drifted to the matter of the contract, her gaze intensifying, "Dad, has mom''s publisher been aroundtely?"


    "Not that I''ve seen. Why? They do most of theirmunicating online these days."


    "Just curious."


    After hanging up, Roseanne headed to the kitchen to whip up some breakfast.


    Meanwhile, Norris busied himself in the backyard tending to his garden.


    Madge was in her study, fingers flying over the keyboard, crafting line after line into thrilling narrative arcs.


    All was calm and serene.


    Unbeknownst to them, not far from their cozy suburban home, in the faculty housing area where their old house stood, a woman was growing impatient as she knocked on the door. "Hello? Madge-are you there?!"


    Nadine was dressed to the nines in a Chanel suit, clutching a Louis Vuitton handbag, her heels sinking into the muddy ground, visibly agitated.


    Such surroundings!


    Such conditions!


    Worse than a dog''s kennel!


    Had it not been for Madge''s contract nearing renewal, she wouldn''t have bothered with this visit!


    They could have renewed online, avoiding this hassle. But after theirst argument, Madge had blocked all her contact details.


    Nadine sneered at the memory. They''d had their spats over the years, but Madge always came crawling back, ready topromise. This time, she wanted Madge to venture into digital publishing, which probably exined the prolonged standoff.


    Still, Nadine was confident. Resistance would eventually give way to agreement.


    It was just a matter of time.


    "Madge?! I know you''re in there!"


    "Open up!"


    "It''s rude to ignore a visitor, Madge. We have our professional disagreements, but where''s your basic courtesy and respect?" "Madge-If you keep this up, I''m washing my hands of your books-"


    As Nadine''s knocking grew more furious, her hands reddened from the effort, but the door remained unresponsive. "Knock, knock, knock, first thing in the morning-are you the Grim Reaper?!"


    From next door, Louisa emerged in her pajamas, her hair a mess, clearly just woken up, exuding that just-out-of-bed aura.


    She stood in her yard, hands on hips, ring at Nadine through the iron fence separating their properties-


    "What are you looking at?! I''m talking to you! Who dies and makes you queen of the morning racket, huh? With your fancy clothes, you think you''re abovemon decency?"


    It had been ages since Nadine wasst scolded so directly, leaving her momentarily speechless. Louisa wasn''t done, "Misery lovespany, huh? Attracting trouble wherever you go."


    "Watch your mouth,dy! Don''t mix. your


    wouldults with your advice; I


    want you to trip over your


    s and curse yourself!"


    Nadine snapped back, refusing to be bullied.


    using her of mourning?


    "Your words, not mine! May your words only reflect on you!"


    Louisa, a superstitious soul, took great offense, "You wretched witch! Who are are you calling dy''? Those bathhouse attendants are more your speed, aren''t they?"