CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FOUR

Cassie stared at the glowing blue screen, completely confused.“Sorry, I’m a little confused. Who are you? And why am I hearing a voice in my head?”

A calm voice answered inside her head.[i am the nexus system. core detected.]

Cassie frowned. “The Nexus System? What is that supposed to mean?”

Another message appeared.

[reproductive system: suppressed.]

[cause: core protection response.]

Cassie stared at the words, trying to understand them.“Reproductive system suppressed?” she asked. “What does that even mean?”

The System stayed silent for a moment.Then another message appeared.[full explanation unavailable.]

Cassie blinked at the screen. “Unavailable?” she repeated, throwing her hands up. “You give me half an answer and then tell me you can’t explain the rest?”

The blue screen remained still.

Cassie sighed and rubbed her forehead. “Great. I’m back from the dead, there’s a zombie apocalypse coming, and now I have a mysterious system that refuses to explain itself.”

No response came.

She rubbed her forehead and tried to push the strange message aside. Whatever the System meant, she would figure it out later.

A sharp knock suddenly came from the door.Before she could answer, it opened.

Briar walked in, already dressed for work, his tie slightly crooked and his face full of irritation.He looked at Cassie as if she had already ruined his morning. “You’re still sleeping at ten?” he asked sharply. “What have you been doing all morning?”

Cassie looked at him calmly. “Sleeping, Briar. You know, what people usually do in bedrooms.”

His eyebrows pulled together. He clearly wasn’t used to her talking back. “Don’t start with me. My mother expects us downstairs later for dinner, so make sure you’re there.”

“I’ll try not to disappoint her,” Cassie said, turning toward her closet.

Briar rolled his eyes. “And my white shirt? I need it for my meeting. You normally iron it, so where is it?”

Cassie stopped. She remembered every meal she had cooked, every shirt she had ironed, and every night she had waited for him.

And for what?

“Maybe ask the maid,” she said calmly. “I’m sure she can iron one shirt.”

Briar stared at her. “Why the hell would I ask the maid when that’s your job? What exactly are you here for, Cassie? Decoration? Because you’re not even good at that anymore.”

Cassie raised an eyebrow but stayed quiet.

Briar stepped closer and pointed at her. “Let me make this clear. Your only responsibilities are simple. Cook my meals fresh and iron my clothes. That’s it.” His voice turned cold. “And since you’re useless at the one thing that matters giving me a child you should at least handle those two things.”

Cassie looked at him calmly. “So that’s all I’m good for?”

"Don't start with the drama." Briar rolled his eyes. "Another woman would have given me a child by now. You know that. Everyone knows that. You should be grateful I'm still putting up with you. Most men would have left. But no. I stayed. I gave you a chance. And this is how you repay me?"

Cassie smiled faintly. “Then maybe it’s time you found that woman. She can iron your shirts too.”

Briar studied her, his eyes narrowing. His wife was usually obedient. She apologized, did what he said, and never talked back. But today, she was looking at him differently.

“Are you sure you woke up on the right side of the bed?” he mocked. “You’re acting crazy.”

Cassie’s smile stayed on her lips, but it never reached her eyes. “I’m perfectly fine, Briar. I just don’t feel like ironing your shirt today.”

“You don’t feel like it?” Briar laughed coldly. “Since when do you get to decide? You’re my wife. You have responsibilities. That’s the whole point.”

“I know my responsibilities. I’m just not doing your chores.”

Briar’s face turned red. “My chores? My chores?” he snapped. “They’re your chores! You’re my wife. Taking care of me is your job. That’s what I married you for. It’s the only reason you’re in this house.”

Cassie remembered the bunker. She remembered standing outside as the infected attacked her. She remembered Briar behind the glass, watching her die without helping. “You can die for all I care.”

The memory made her chest tighten, but her face stayed calm. “I think you should leave,” she said quietly. “I need to shower.”

Briar stared at her, clearly not expecting that answer. “Since when do you hide your body from me?” he snapped. “You’re my wife. I have the right to see you whenever I want.”

Cassie said nothing, She simply looked at him.

For once, Briar hesitated. Something about her calm expression made him unsure of himself. “Fine,” he said angrily. “But we’re not done talking. You better be downstairs in an hour. My mother wants to discuss the dinner arrangements, and you will be there. You’ll smile, nod, and act grateful. Do you understand?”

He turned and walked toward the door, then stopped and looked back at her. “I don’t know what’s wrong with you,” he said coldly. “But fix it. I didn’t marry a broken woman, Cassie, and I refuse to stay married to one.”

He slammed the door behind him. Cassie stood quietly as his footsteps faded down the hallway. Then a small smile appeared on her face. “Broken?” She turned toward the glowing System screen “No, Briar. I’m not broken. I’m finally awake.”

The screen flickered, and new words appeared.

Cassie turned toward the glowing System screen.

[first survival mission]

[acquire basic emergency supplies.]

[reward: survival storage — level 1]

Cassie stared at the words, then let out a short laugh. “Acquire basic emergency supplies?” She looked around the room. “How exactly am I supposed to do that? I’m a housewife in the Welson mansion, and you want me to stockpile food and water?”

The screen flickered.

[suggestion: be creative.]

Cassie blinked. “Be creative? That’s your advice? Just ‘be creative’?”

[you are smart. figure it out.]

[deadline: 89 days.]

[or not. your choice.]

“Oh, my choice.” Cassie crossed her arms. “How generous of you. Let me just walk out of this mansion with a shopping cart and buy enough food and water to survive the apocalypse. I’m sure Briar won’t notice. He’s so observant, after all.”

The screen flickered again.

[option: use your brain. it’s there.]

Cassie stared at it before laughing again. “Are you always this sarcastic?”

[i learn from the best. you.]

Her smile widened. “Fair enough. I’ve decided what I’m going to do, but I’m not telling you.”

The System flickered one last time.

[mission accepted.]

[preparedness score: 1/100]

[progress: +1]

Cassie raised an eyebrow. “One? I just came up with a whole plan and I only get one point?”

[you haven’t done anything yet.]

[talk is cheap. execution is what counts.]

Cassie laughed. “Says the floating screen that keeps giving me assignments.”

[says the screen that will keep you alive.]

[now get to work.]

Cassie glanced at the dress, then at the closed bedroom door. “Fine,” she whispered. “I’ll play the part. I’ll be their perfect little wife.”

She walked to the closet and pulled out a simple dress. “Time to get ready for another humiliating family dinner and for the little heist I planned.”

She paused and looked at the System. “Nexus, I hope you’re ready for our heist.” She said as she slipped the dress from its hanger. “But the moment the world falls apart, I’m done. Done being their puppet, their doormat, and the woman who dies just because they find it convenient.”

Cassie looked at the countdown. “Eighty-nine days. I’ll be ready.”

The System flickered.

[we’ll see if you survive this time, cassie heathers.]