Chapter 2

I pulled Teddy into my arms, unsure how to comfort him.

Gavin took a medicine box from his pocket.

It contained Teddy’s spare fever medication.

“Wendy, take this, just in case.”

Gavin pressed the medicine into Wendy’s hands.

It was the fever medication I had begged Gavin to bring back with him. He hadn’t returned, and he gave the lifesaving medicine to someone else.

But it was already too late for Teddy.

“Mr. Cooper, the water level around Building Three has risen again.”

A woman in charge of the emergency supplies hurried over, looking flustered.

“The first floor is completely flooded. Should we send someone over to check on them?”

Gavin frowned, a flash of displeasure crossing his eyes.

“I already said Building Three isn’t our concern.

“Luna knew the water would rise. She’s perfectly capable of taking Teddy to the second-floor stairwell to stay safe.”

The woman hesitated.

“But I tried calling your wife earlier, and her phone was unreachable.”

“She turned it off on purpose because she’s angry with me.”

Gavin let out a cold laugh, completely certain of himself.

“She pulls this every time I get busy with work. Just ignore her. The more attention you give her, the more she’ll carry on.”

He turned to Wendy, and his voice instantly softened.

“Wendy, are you hungry? I’ll have someone bring us two boxed meals.”

Wendy shook her head and put on a considerate expression.

“I’m not hungry. Supplies are limited, so save them for people who need them more.”

Admiration appeared in Gavin’s eyes.

“See? I wish Luna were even half as sensible as you. She only cares about her own little corner of the world. She has no sense of the bigger picture.”

The woman standing nearby frowned deeply. She opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something, but ultimately swallowed her words.

I held Teddy’s hand and stood in front of them.

Teddy reached out his small hand, trying to touch Gavin’s face.

“Dad, Mom wasn’t angry with you. Her phone fell into the water.”

His hand passed straight through Gavin’s body without touching anything.

Teddy froze, staring at his own translucent palm, tears rolling down his cheeks.

“Mom, Dad can’t hear me.”

I pulled him gently into my arms and patted his back softly.

“It’s okay. We don’t need him anymore anyway.”

Just then, the landline on the command desk rang.

“Mr. Cooper, we were patrolling near Building Three and found a phone.”

“There’s a photo of you with your family inside. It must belong to your wife.”

Gavin’s expression darkened.

“Where did you find it?”

“Outside the first floor of Building Three. It was hanging from a tree branch beside the security bars.”

Gavin was silent for two seconds before letting out a derisive scoff.

“She really knows how to put on a show. She even threw her phone out. Forget it. She’s probably watching you from the second floor.

“Take the patrol boat to Building Eight. There are still several elderly residents waiting to be evacuated.”

The call ended.

Gavin rubbed his forehead, looking exhausted.

Wendy thoughtfully walked behind him and massaged his shoulders.

“Gavin, you look exhausted. Why don’t you rest for a while?”

“I’m fine. I’m not tired.”

Gavin patted the back of her hand.

“As long as you and your daughter are safe, this little bit of hard work is nothing.”

I watched their familiar interaction, but I no longer felt anything.

In the past, I would have started a huge fight with him over details like these.

He always accused me of being petty and reminded me that Wendy was a pitiful single mother, telling me to show more compassion.

Now, I no longer had to wear myself down over such pointless nonsense.

“System, how much time is left?”

“Forty-six hours, host.”

I nodded and led Teddy to a corner, where we sat down.