chapter 004

Arya sat at the small table in her hotel room, reviewing the list of things she needed to accomplish before the apocalypse began. She had less than ninety days left, and every decision she made now could determine whether she survived.

In her previous life, the outbreak had lasted nearly two years. Food had become scarce, medicine had been almost impossible to find, and people had turned against one another in their desperation to survive. She remembered how quickly familiar places had become death traps.

This time, she wouldn't wait until everything fell apart before taking action.

Her gaze settled on the island her father had left her. Far from the city and surrounded by water, it had a large house, a guest house, and enough space for storage facilities. Ethan had once complained about the snakes, cold weather, and isolation when she'd suggested staying there. He had refused to consider it, so she'd eventually bought the island without telling him.

Now, that decision might save her life.

Arya picked up her phone and called Greg, the manager responsible for her properties.

“Greg, I need you to put my properties up for sale immediately. Prioritize buyers who can complete the transactions quickly but don't accept an unreasonable offer without consulting me.”“Miss Grayson, are you sure? You've never mentioned selling these properties before.”

“I'm sure. I need the money as quickly as possible.” She glanced at her list. “I also need an experienced engineer to inspect my island and oversee the renovations. Find someone who can complete the essential work within thirty days.”

“Thirty days?” He frowned, rubbing his forehead as he considered the deadline. “That's a very tight deadline.”

“Then find someone capable of meeting it. I need secure storage, a reliable water supply, electricity, and reinforced buildings. Ask the engineer to assess what's possible and have the work begin as soon as possible.”

“I'll look into it immediately,” Greg assured her.

“Good. I want the work to begin as soon as possible. Keep me updated, and please make sure no one finds out about this.” Arya leaned forward slightly.

“Don't worry, Mrs. Grayson. I'll take care of everything myself.” Greg muttered.

After ending the call, Arya turned her attention to the message from her lawyer confirming that the divorce papers were ready. She opened Ethan's earlier message.

Five years of marriage doesn't mean you can simply throw me away. You can't pretend I had nothing to do with the life we built or expect me to walk away without a fight. You can't just divorce me and take everything away.

Arya scoffed.

Even now, Ethan was more concerned about what he could take from her than why she wanted to leave. He genuinely believed he was entitled to a share of everything she had built.

He was about to discover how wrong he was.

Arya slipped her resignation letter into her bag. Lucian Hart had practically worn himself out convincing her to join his company, even tripling her salary to persuade her to accept the position. As her childhood friend, he had always believed in her abilities.

Now, she was preparing to walk away. She left the hotel and went straight to her boss's room at the office, placing the envelope on his desk.

“What's this?” he asked.

“My resignation letter.”

He read it, his eyebrows drawing together. “You're resigning? Arya, are you certain?”

“Yes, sir. I've made up my mind.”

After studying her expression for a moment, he sighed. “Alright. I won't force you to stay. I wish you well.”

“Thank you. I appreciate everything you've done for me.” Arya left his office and headed down the hallway. As she passed Lucian's office, she slowed.

Memories of her previous life came rushing back. During the apocalypse, Lucian had died protecting her, holding back the infected so she could escape. While Ethan had abandoned her, Lucian had willingly faced death for her.

She had never forgotten his sacrifice. But this time, she had a chance to change her future, and she intended to use it.

She continued downstairs, contacting suppliers for bulk purchases of food, bottled water, medical supplies, generators, and fuel. She also called her bank manager to arrange access to her available funds without unnecessary delays.

She had barely finished the call when she spotted Ethan and Chloe near the lobby entrance.

“Arya!”

She turned at the sound of Ethan's voice.

She had expected another confrontation after his earlier message, but he approached her with a smile and a flower in his hand, while Chloe walked beside him with a lunchbox.

Before Arya could ask what they were doing there, Chloe hurried forward and wrapped her arms around her.

“Bestie! I've missed you,” Chloe exclaimed, her voice sweet with affection.

Arya remained stiff in her embrace, caught off guard by the unexpected display of affection.

Ethan stepped closer and gently brushed a strand of hair away from her face.

“Babe, I know you've been working hard. I brought you this because I want you to take care of yourself.” He offered her the flower. “I don't want us to keep dwelling on what happened. Come home with me, and we can talk things through.”

Arya studied him, trying to understand his sudden change in behavior.In five years of marriage, Ethan had rarely shown her this kind of affection without wanting something in return. She had been the one making sacrifices, remembering special occasions, and doing everything she could to make him happy. Now, after betraying her and threatening to fight the divorce, he stood before her with a flower and a gentle smile.

For one brief moment, she wondered whether he had changed. Then she remembered who he was. She took the flower from his hand and dropped it onto the floor.

Ethan's smile faltered; Chloe quickly stepped between them, holding out the lunchbox.

“Come on, bestie. We don't have to have issues over things that aren't relevant. I promise I'll never do anything with your husband again. I brought you lunch because I know you've been busy and might be hungry.” Arya stepped back without touching it.

Around them, a few employees had begun to watch. Their curious glances moved between the flower on the floor, the lunchbox, and the couple trying so desperately to make peace with Arya.

Ethan reached for her hand.

“Come on, Arya. You don't have to be like this, okay? You know I love you so much. I could never cheat on you with Chloe.” He hesitated before adding, “Besides, she's pregnant. We could raise the baby together as ours.”

Arya struggled to process his words.

They had betrayed her, and now they expected her to accept their lies, forgive them, and help raise their child. They truly believed a little affection and a few carefully chosen words would make her forget everything.

Her palm struck Ethan's cheek; the sharp sound echoed through the lobby.

Gasps swept through the small crowd. Ethan clutched his burning cheek, staring at her as though he couldn't believe she'd dared to strike him in public.

“Arya! What has come over you?” he demanded. “Why are you acting this way? People are watching us! Why would you humiliate me like this?” Arya finally found her voice.

“I've given you two options, Ethan. Sign the divorce papers and never show your face in front of me again.” He reached for her arm, but she immediately stepped back, putting distance between them as she looked from him to Chloe.

For a moment, she felt foolish. She had almost let her guard down, wondering whether Ethan might behave differently this time. His sudden affection had caught her off guard, making her question what she already knew.

But neither of them had changed. They were still the same people who had betrayed her and expected her to accept it.

Perhaps they deserved each other after all.

Arya turned away and continued toward the exit, refusing to waste another second on them. She had barely stepped outside when a man collapsed on the road nearby.

Startled cries rose from the street, and Arya stopped. Across the road, a large electronic screen displayed a breaking-news report.

BREAKING NEWS:

Authorities are investigating a series of medical emergencies potentially linked to medication from a pharmaceutical laboratory. The facility has been ordered to suspend operations while the investigation continues.

Arya stared at the screen. She remembered this report from her previous life. She remembered what had followed, the way the situation had spread before anyone understood what was happening? It wasn't supposed to begin yet.

She had ninety days to prepare, to secure the island, and to ensure she would never again be caught helpless when the world fell apart. Why was it happening already?

A sudden movement at the corner of her eye made her turn.

A car was speeding straight toward her.

Arya's breath caught. She couldn't see who was behind the wheel, but the vehicle was moving too fast, and it was heading directly for her.

She tried to jump out of its path, stumbled backward, and fell hard onto the ground.

She landed hard on the pavement, her palms scraping against the rough ground as the car disappeared down the road. The people nearby watched in shock, but no one moved to help her.

Pain shot through her palms as she struggled to push herself up and looked after the disappearing vehicle, struggling to understand what had just happened. Then a familiar voice reached her.

“Are you okay, miss?” Arya slowly lifted her head, and her eyes fell on the man standing before her.

She froze. It felt as though the world had stopped moving. She opened her mouth to speak; nothing came out. She could hear him saying something without understanding a single word.

Slowly, she rose from the floor. Her hands trembled as she reached for his face, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“Lucian…” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “You're alive.”