The Woman they Underestimated

Audra woke up before sunrise.

After getting ready, she left the house for her appointment with Adrian Cole.

The meeting was relatively brief. Adrian confirmed that her grandfather had left behind a substantial estate, including investments and company shares. Some documents still required verification, and there were legal procedures to complete before she could access everything.

Audra listened carefully, asked a few important questions, and left with the documents she needed.

She didn't intend to rush things.

Her grandfather had spent years building what he left behind. She wouldn't allow impatience to ruin it.

On her way home, she stopped at a cafe and ordered a cup of coffee. Sitting by the window, she reviewed the notes on her phone.

There was so much to accomplish.

She needed a suitable property, storage facilities, food supplies, medical equipment, vehicles, and several other necessities. She also needed to begin physical training.

Money would solve some problems, but it wouldn't solve all of them.

She had learned that lesson in the worst possible way.

By the time she returned home, the sun was already high.

She entered quietly, hoping to go upstairs without attracting attention. Unfortunately, Bennett's mother was in the living room.

"Audra!"

She stopped.

"Yes?"

"Where have you been since morning?"

"Out."

The older woman frowned.

"Out? Is that how you answer someone who asks you a question?"

Audra looked at her calmly.

"Would you prefer a detailed explanation?"

"Don't get smart with me."

Audra said nothing.

She had spent years trying to avoid arguments with this woman. Even when she was insulted, she would swallow her words because she wanted peace in her marriage.

But what had that patience earned her?

Nothing.

"You're becoming very disrespectful these days," Bennett's mother continued. "Ever since you started talking about divorce, you seem to have forgotten how to behave."

Audra adjusted the strap of her handbag.

"Perhaps I've simply stopped pretending that everything is fine."

Before the woman could respond, Audra walked upstairs.

For several seconds, Bennett's mother remained speechless.

She couldn't understand what had happened to the quiet woman who once accepted every instruction without complaint.

Bennett returned home that evening.

He found his mother sitting in the living room, looking unusually irritated.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"Your wife."

He loosened his tie.

"What did she do now?"

"That's exactly the problem. She does whatever she likes these days."

Bennett gave a dismissive laugh.

"Just ignore her. She'll get tired of this behaviour."

His mother looked at him.

"And what if she doesn't?"

He shrugged.

"She'll come around."

"You sound very certain."

"Because I know Audra."

His mother fell silent.

For years, Bennett had been confident that Audra would never leave him. No matter how badly he treated her, she always found a reason to stay.

She had organised his household, remembered his appointments, handled countless family responsibilities, and made sure his needs were never neglected.

He had become so accustomed to her presence that he barely noticed everything she did.

His mother had been no different.

Whenever she needed something, Audra was the first person she called. Whether it was arranging a family gathering, attending to visitors, or handling some inconvenient task, Audra rarely refused.

Now that she was withdrawing from all those responsibilities, the house was beginning to feel different.

"Have you spoken to her about the divorce?" his mother asked.

"There's nothing to discuss."

"Perhaps you should try."

Bennett glanced at her.

"Why?"

"Because I don't think you understand how serious she is."

He laughed.

"Mother, she's just trying to frighten me. She wants attention."

His mother shook her head.

"I don't think so."

"Then what do you think?"

She hesitated.

"I think you may have underestimated her."

Bennett's expression changed slightly.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Look at how she's behaving. She doesn't argue with you anymore. She doesn't try to explain herself. She doesn't even seem interested in knowing whether you're angry."

"Good. At least I can have some peace."

His mother sighed.

"You're missing the point."

He picked up his phone and began scrolling through it.

She watched him for a moment before speaking again.

"Do you remember how she used to take care of everything around here?"

"Mother, please."

"I'm serious, Bennett. When was the last time you had to worry about anything in this house? She handled everything."

"That's what a wife is supposed to do."

His mother stared at him.

"And now?"

He didn't answer.

"Now she's leaving, and you're acting as though you've lost nothing."

Bennett put his phone down.

"She hasn't left yet."

"But she has made up her mind."

He heaved a sigh.

"Mum, I have said all I could."

His mother wasn't convinced.

For the first time, she began wondering whether they had pushed Audra too far.

She had never considered the possibility that the woman might actually walk away. In her mind, Audra had always been the one who needed the marriage more.

But something had changed.

And perhaps the most troubling part was that Audra didn't seem afraid of what would happen after the divorce.

"At least try speaking to her," she said quietly. "You don't have to agree with everything she says, but you shouldn't make things worse."

Bennett shook his head.

"I'll deal with her when I'm ready."

His mother shook her head and said nothing more.

Yet a small feeling of unease had settled inside her.

Upstairs, Audra sat at her desk with her laptop open.

She had already prepared a list of everything she needed.

It was only the beginning.

She needed to approach the preparations systematically. Buying random supplies would be a waste of money and time. She needed to know what she required, where she would store it, and how she would transport everything.

She opened another tab and began searching for properties.

The first few options were unsuitable. Some were too close to densely populated areas, while others lacked the space she needed.

She saved three promising listings.

She would arrange inspections later.

Her phone vibrated.

A message from Daniel Mercer appeared.

I've received the documents. I'll review them and get back to you. For now, avoid making any major financial transfers until we've established exactly which assets are held under the trust.

Audra replied with a brief acknowledgement.

She understood the importance of being careful.

The inheritance was a significant advantage, but she couldn't afford to make careless decisions simply because she was in a hurry.

She closed the message and returned to her list.

A few minutes later, her phone began ringing.

Bennett.

She stared at his name.

After allowing it to ring several times, she answered.

"What?"

There was a brief silence on the other end.

"Is that how you answer your husband's call now?"

Audra leaned back in her chair.

"What do you want, Bennett?"

"We need to talk."

"About?"

"Us."

She almost smiled.

"There's nothing to discuss."

"Can you stop being difficult for once?"

"I'm not being difficult. I've already told you what I want."

"You can't just wake up one morning and decide to end a marriage."

"I didn't wake up one morning and decide that, Bennett."

Her voice remained calm.

"I simply woke up one morning and realised I had spent too much of my life tolerating things I should never have accepted."

He went quiet.

"Audra, whatever your problem is, we can settle it."

"There's no problem to settle."

"Then why are you insisting on a divorce?"

She looked at the screen in front of her.

For a moment, memories of her previous life threatened to surface. She remembered the sacrifices, the disappointments, and the promises she had believed.

But she pushed them aside.

"Because I don't want to be married to you anymore."

She ended the call.

Bennett stared at his phone in disbelief.

He had expected an argument. He had expected accusations, tears, perhaps even another attempt to make him understand her feelings.

Instead, she had simply ended the conversation.

It irritated him more than he wanted to admit.

Downstairs, Bennett's mother noticed his expression when he returned to the living room.

"What happened?"

"Nothing."

"Did you speak to Audra?"

"Yes."

"And?"

"She's still insisting on the divorce."

She pinched the bridge of her nose, exasperation written all over her face.”

"Honestly, Bennett, I don't understand you."

He looked at her.

"What now?"

"You keep treating this as though it's a joke. What if she actually goes through with it?"

"Then she goes through with it."

His mother stared at him.

"Do you really think finding another woman will solve everything?"

Bennett frowned.

"Why are you making such a big deal out of this?"

"Because I am beginning to think you don't appreciate what you have."

He gave a short laugh.

"Mother, you're the one who complained about her all the time."

"I know what I said!"

"Then why are you suddenly defending her?"

She looked away.

She couldn't deny that she had contributed to the situation. She had often criticised Audra, questioned her decisions, and expected her to put the family's needs before her own.

At the time, she had thought Audra would always remain.

She had never imagined that the woman might finally decide she had had enough.

Now, the thought of another woman taking Audra's place in the household made her strangely uncomfortable.

Would the next woman be as patient?

Would she tolerate the family's demands?

Would she quietly take care of everything without expecting appreciation?

Perhaps they had taken too much for granted.

"Just don't make a decision you'll regret," she finally said.

Bennett picked up his phone again.

"There's nothing to regret."

But his mother's expression suggested otherwise.

Audra was still working when she noticed how late it had become.

She saved her research and closed the laptop.

Her first priority would be finding a suitable property. Once that was settled, she could begin arranging the supplies.

She also needed to find someone who could help her with physical training.

In her previous life, she had been physically weak and inexperienced. She couldn't afford to remain that way.

She walked to the window and looked outside.

The neighbourhood was peaceful.

Cars moved along the road. A few children played near the gate, while neighbours went about their ordinary evening activities.

Nobody suspected what was coming.

Nobody knew that the world they understood was approaching its end.

Audra rested her hand against the window.

She had to be ready.

Her phone vibrated once more.

This time, it was a message from Bennett.

We should have dinner together tomorrow. We need to settle this matter like adults.

Audra read it without replying.

Only a few days ago, he would never have bothered to ask whether she wanted to have dinner with him.

Now that she had stopped chasing his attention, he suddenly wanted a conversation.

She placed the phone on her desk.

Whatever Bennett wanted, it could wait.

She had more important things to do.

Downstairs, his mother was beginning to understand that the woman they had treated as though she would never leave might actually walk away for good.

But neither she nor Bennett understood what Audra was truly planning.

They thought they were dealing with a marital disagreement.

They had no idea that Audra was preparing for a disaster that would change the entire world.

And when that day arrived, regret would be the least of their problems.