My place isn't available

Jack’s expression turned cold again.

Had Liam come all this way not to reconcile with him, but simply to use him as a tool?

Did he think he could get away with acting so recklessly just because Jack would always indulge him?

“You’re still grieving your mum. A change of scenery might help. Take some time to relax and adjust. Don’t worry about the money. Just make yourself comfortable here.”

Jack took several deep breaths, trying to suppress his wandering thoughts. He spoke stiffly, attempting to comfort Liam before adding,

“My place isn’t available for you to stay at right now.”

Liam stiffened, his expression freezing.

Just as he was about to ask what Jack meant, the other man’s phone suddenly buzzed.

Jack pulled it out, glanced at the screen, and frowned. Turning to Liam, who was visibly disappointed, he said,

“I have something urgent to deal with. Get some rest first.”

With that, he answered the call and walked away.

“Ugh…”

Liam slumped onto the sofa in frustration.

With less than two weeks until the apocalypse, his plan had failed. He could only cling to this lifeline halfway.

Jack had said his place wasn’t available, and judging by his expression, there was probably someone else staying there.

But as far as Liam knew, Jack’s family lived in a city up north because his younger brother was attending a military academy there. His parents had moved to be closer to their son, so it couldn’t be them.

The chances of it being friends or subordinates were also low.

The most likely explanation was that Jack had a lover.

Based on the memories of his death in his previous life and his own assumptions, Liam had believed Jack was single. He had only recently left the military and was busy juggling his studies and business. Surely, he wouldn’t have had time for a relationship?

But what if he did?

Liam had shamelessly turned up, relying on their past relationship to cling to Jack. But why should Jack accept him?

What made him think he still deserved someone so good?

As expected, even after being given a second chance at life, his brain was still useless. He was an absolute idiot!

A bitter ache spread through his chest, but Liam didn’t feel resentful. He calmly accepted the possibility that Jack no longer wanted him.

After lying on the sofa and thinking for a long time, he sent Jack a message.

“Sorry, Brother Jack. I was too abrupt earlier. How about this? I won’t bother you, but could you help me find an apartment near where you live? A two or three-bedroom place on a middle or upper floor would be fine. If anything happens, just keep an eye out for me. I don’t mind paying higher rent.”

If he couldn’t move in with Jack directly, then becoming his neighbour was the next best option.

Surely Jack wouldn’t just stand by and watch him die if they lived close to each other?

Probably busy with work, Jack didn’t reply even after Liam woke from a nap.

By then, it was already evening.

Staring at their chat, Liam grew increasingly anxious. Desperate to secure this lifeline, he sent two more messages.

“Brother Jack, what suburb do you live in? If you’re too busy, I can look for a place myself.”

“Brother Jack, hey! Are you finished with work yet? Let me buy you dinner~”

But whether Liam was sincere or tried to charm him, Jack left him on read.

Feeling a pang of sadness, Liam picked up the room service QR code from the guest room and ordered himself some food. He added a serving of spicy pickled fish to the order.

Right now, he felt bitter, worthless, and completely out of place.

The fish tasted delicious, but the more he ate, the more his heart ached. Tears welled up in his eyes.

Not wanting to waste the food, he forced himself to eat two bowls of rice through his tears, finishing every last piece of fish.

It wasn’t until the room service staff had cleared away the dishes that Jack finally replied.

No need. Eat by yourself.

Liam read the message several times. He typed out a few responses, deleted them, and eventually gave up.

It was obvious that Jack had deliberately ignored his earlier messages.

They were both adults. Pressing him for answers would only be rude.

Fine. He would find an apartment himself. Anywhere in Sydney would do, as long as he could get settled before the apocalypse.

As he considered his options, a particular place came to mind.

Suddenly, his vision blurred with tears.

Liam didn’t understand why he had become so emotional. His tears seemed to come and go without warning.

But whenever he remembered how Jack had held his broken body in his previous life, screaming in despair, his heart ached so badly he could barely breathe.

If only he had been reborn sooner…

Meanwhile, in an office inside a commercial high-rise, Jack leaned back in his chair, reviewing a document with a stern expression.

His assistant, Hannah Walsh, sat patiently across from his desk. She wore a sleek black business suit, her hair neatly pinned up. With her bright eyes and delicate makeup, she looked like the perfect modern professional.

After about ten minutes, Jack closed the file and looked up.

“All the people involved in smuggling and handling stolen goods have been arrested. The authorities have closed the case, so our security assignment is finished. When is Kai returning?”

Hannah gave him a strange look before answering.

“I gave him two options: the day after tomorrow or five days from now. He chose the latter, but it’s up to you. You’ll have to accompany him back to Canberra to report the mission to the boss at headquarters anyway.”

Jack glanced at his phone before making a decision.

“Let’s get it over with.”

If he had a choice, he wouldn’t go at all.

Liam’s sudden appearance had left him feeling uneasy. Something wasn’t right, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was about to happen.

Working with the authorities was always a hassle. They were the ones who had approached his team for help, yet the paperwork and red tape were exhausting. Unfortunately, refusing them wasn’t really an option.

Hannah shrugged.

“You’ll have to tell Kai yourself. The guy wants to spend more time with you…”

Kai wasn’t just an undercover agent. Rumour had it that he came from a wealthy family with powerful connections.

Jack narrowed his eyes at her.

“Assistant Walsh, I’ve noticed you’ve been getting rather sarcastic lately.”

Hannah had been his university classmate. Back then, she had been tougher than most of the blokes in their year.

After passing the headquarters assessment in Canberra, she had become his assistant. Although she looked delicate, she was every bit as sharp as she appeared, and her competence surpassed that of most men.

This time, Jack had personally worked alongside the authorities.

Kai, serving as their undercover agent, had infiltrated an overseas smuggling ring under the cover of Jack’s security operations. As part of the mission, he had even pretended to be Jack’s lover.

It hadn’t been a big deal.

However, Hannah had recently started making all sorts of ridiculous comments.

She shrugged innocently.

“I'm just concerned about you. It’s been two years since your partner died. Have you thought about moving on?”

Jack gritted his teeth.

“Get lost!”

Back when Liam had dumped him, Jack had changed his social media status to widower. He had become the laughingstock of his close circle of friends, especially Hannah, who had laughed louder than anyone else.

“Don’t be so harsh…”

Hannah leaned forward with a mischievous grin.

“The thing is, Kai keeps asking about you lately. So I was wondering… after spending months practically living in each other’s pockets, have you two developed real feelings for each other?”

Jack glared at her.

“Spreading rumours is that easy, is it? You do realise that making up rubbish about government personnel could cost you your job, right?”

What absolute nonsense!

People who had served in the military could be the worst offenders when it came to unprofessional behaviour.

“But I can tell Kai really likes you. There’s no way he’s faking it. A woman’s intuition is never wrong.”

Hannah straightened up, her expression suddenly serious. She sounded like a cult leader trying to brainwash a crowd.

Jack waved her away dismissively.

“Get out of here. Once this mission is over, we’ve got a month of paid leave. Go find someone to date. Your hormones are clearly running wild.”

Hannah didn’t move.

She stared at him intently before her expression turned serious.

“If Kai really does have feelings for you, how are you going to handle it? If you mess this up, it could affect our future cooperation with the authorities.”

Jack answered without missing a beat.

“I’ll kill him.”

His quick-witted assistant immediately stood up.

“My mistake. Long live true love.”

With that, she sashayed out of the office with exaggerated flair.