CHAPTER 4: Shelter Is Almost Ready

FREYA'S POV,

Nine days after I bought the place from James, the building didn't look like a wreck anymore.

The roof now had solar panels, enough to keep things running even if the grid went down. We also had twelve industrial generators in the basement parking lot, five military trucks and four armoured SUVs. The old loading bay on the second floor was converted into a medbay with shelves of gauze, antiseptic, antibiotics and thanks to James, we were also able to secure some high-end machines.

All the rooms on the first floor had grow lights and soil beds I had delivered in unmarked trucks to not raise suspicion. The new armoury in the basement was the part I was proudest about. Four walls of rifles, handguns, launchers, and crossbows for when the ammunition ran out. The door was reinforced with a keypad I installed myself. The code was known only to James and me.

Even when things were going smoothly, I couldn't help but think it wasn't enough. Also, somehow I knew it would never feel like enough even when it was more than what he had the first time, and that had to count for something. James found me up on the roof around sunset, checking the panel wiring for the third time that week.

“You've been coming here every day for over a week,” he said. “You don't have to worry. The solar panels are from the best dealer. They have a long work life.”

“I don't doubt it, and that's not why I am here.” I pointed at our town in the distance. There was a huge lake, surrounded by forest between us. “I want to enjoy this before it's too late.”

“I understand.” He tapped my shoulder affectionately. “Anyway, I came here to tell you that the water filtration system is working. We can use dirty water as well as groundwater now.”

I didn't answer that. He leaned against the railing beside me, close enough that I could smell soap and sawdust. “I want you to teach me how to fight.”

He laughed, short and surprised by my request. “What? You are not planning on fighting the zombies, right?”

“You were in the army. You know how to handle a gun and how to handle yourself. I want you to teach me that.”

“Freya, we are building a fortress here. They won't be able to come inside no matter how much they try.” But he was already studying my face, and whatever he saw there made the smile fade a little. “What is this really about?”

“I'm not going to sit in a room wondering how I could have helped them.” It came out sharper than I meant it to. So, I softened my voice. “I want to be someone who can take care of herself. That's all.”

He was quiet for a long moment. “Okay,” he said finally. “Tomorrow morning. Wear something you don't mind sweating in.”

“We also need to find a team,” I said, remembering the things Ronan mentioned about their team. “At the very least, a doctor, an engineer and some more fighters.”

“You are right, but first we need to get back home and take some rest.” James offered his hand to me, and I took it without complaint. “I hope Selena was serious like you. I tried telling her about the zombies, and she laughed at me.”

“She will apologise soon,” I said, following after him downstairs. “There is news about the virus finding its way to the US. We don't have much time left.”

“We will talk about it tomorrow. For now, go back home safely.” James pushed me into my car, and we laughed together. “See you tomorrow, neighbour.“

I smiled at him and drove back home even though I was dreading going back. The papers were finally ready. I found the evidence Priyanka asked for and had a long conversation with her two days ago. She wanted me to fight for my assets, but I didn't see the point in fighting over things that were going to be meaningless in three weeks. She was disappointed, to say the least.

Griffin came back home a little past eight, tie loosened and jacket slung over one shoulder. I had spent the last hour at the kitchen table with the tablet in front of me, screen black. I didn't get up when he walked in because that's what he wanted, for me to apologise for fighting with him nine days ago.

“You're home late,” I said, knowing well that he was with Selena in a hotel not far from his office. I knew they had planned it a week ago.

‘Just a little longer, babe.’

‘Her money's the only reason I am torturing my life with her presence.’

‘She's useful to us right now. Let her stay useful.’

Every line was a dagger to my heart, and I'd read it all through my tears. It had been going on for years, even before I met him. And the only reason he married me was because of my money. Selena was the one he truly loved. Reading those texts felt like pressing on a bruise to see if it still hurts. It did. It hurts more and more every single time.

“The meeting ran for longer than I expected.” He dropped his jacket over a chair without looking at me, already heading for the fridge to get some water. He had been ignoring me ever since that day. “What's for dinner?”

“We need to talk,” I said. The coldness in my voice made him stop. I was proud of that, even though under the table my hands were trembling.

“Talk about what?” He turned. “Are you going to apologise for how you acted that morning? For threatening me with divorce?”

I slid the tablet across the table instead of saying anything. The message thread was still open. Selena's name was at the top, followed by years of text messages he had never bothered to delete, probably because he had never imagined I’d check. He went very quiet, looking down at his own words staring back up at him.

“You went through my account?” He exploded. His voice climbed fast, faster than I expected. It ran straight past shock and into anger. “That's a complete invasion of my privacy, Freya! You have no right to go through my private conversations with anyone, for any reason. You've gone crazy.”

“I have no right?” I didn't raise my voice to match his because I didn't trust it not to break.

“No normal person just goes snooping through someone's text messages because they're feeling insecure—” He was pacing now, jabbing a finger at the tablet as if it had personally wronged him. “This is exactly the kind of unstable behaviour I've been telling you about. You can't just violate my privacy and then act like the victim here. Do you understand that?!”

There it was. The move he'd made a hundred times, turning the crime around until I was the one apologising to him. It might have worked in my previous life, but not this time.

“Save it,” I said without any emotion, cutting straight through his performance. I slid the divorce papers next. “I'm not doing this with you tonight. I know everything, Griffin. I don't need you to explain a single line, and I'm not going to sit here and let you turn this around on me.”

“Freya—”

“I have given you the house. You can contact my lawyer for anything else. Her card is inside.”

That seemed to genuinely surprise him, like he'd expected tears from me, expecting me to fold the way I always used to. “I am your husband—”

“Have a good night, Griffin.” I stood finally and made my way towards the main door. “You can live with Selena. After all, that's what you want.”

My things were already in the shelter, so I had nothing to worry about. I went back to hand him the papers only because I wanted to be the one to reject him this time. It felt amazing, being free of his chains, but there was a small part of me that missed him. He might have never loved me, but I was in love with him for years.

‘Don’t cry,’ I warned myself. ‘Don’t you dare give him that.’