Chapter 5 The House she Choose

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Evelyn arrived at the property shortly after nine the next morning.

The house looked less impressive in daylight than it had during her first visit, but she preferred it that way. The walls were plain, the yard was small, and the iron gate showed signs of rust. Nothing about it attracted unnecessary attention.

The property agent, a middle-aged woman named Mrs. Cole, unlocked the front door.

“As I mentioned yesterday, the landlord prefers tenants who can pay several months in advance,” she explained. “He doesn't want trouble with late payments.”

Evelyn stepped inside, inspecting the rooms carefully.

The house had two bedrooms, a modest kitchen, and a small storeroom beneath the staircase. The windows were narrow enough to secure with additional bars, and the back door opened into the enclosed yard.

She checked the taps. Water came out, though the pressure was weak.

“Does the water supply stop often?” she asked.

“Occasionally. That's why the landlord installed the rooftop tank.”

Evelyn walked outside and examined the gate. It was sturdy but would need a better lock. The surrounding street was quiet, with a grocery shop at one end and a mechanic's workshop farther down.

It wasn't perfect. Few places would be.

But with some repairs, extra water containers, and careful planning, it could become a reasonable shelter.

“How much does the landlord want?” she asked.

Mrs. Cole named the price.

Evelyn negotiated. She pointed out the repairs the property required and asked whether the landlord would allow her to install additional locks at her own expense.

After several minutes, they agreed on a reduced deposit and a shorter initial lease.

Evelyn did not sign immediately. She reviewed the agreement, checked the landlord's details, and confirmed the property agent's authority to rent the house.

Only after everything appeared legitimate did she pay the deposit and receive a receipt.

The decision left her savings smaller, but it gave her something valuable: a place she could prepare without Nicole watching her every move.

On the journey home, she stopped at a hardware shop.

She bought two strong padlocks, a flashlight, a basic tool kit, and a small set of door alarms. She also asked about installing window bars and improving the back gate.

The shopkeeper promised to arrange a worker for the following afternoon.

Evelyn made a note of the appointment.

She was learning that survival would depend on more than the system. If she wanted to live through the coming disaster, she needed ordinary skills, dependable equipment, and the ability to make decisions without rushing.

By midday, she had returned to her apartment.

She was sorting through her wardrobe when her phone rang from an unfamiliar number.

“Evelyn?”

Nicole's voice.

She nearly ended the call.

“How did you get this number?” she asked.

“Don't be ridiculous. You haven't changed your number.”

She glanced at the screen. He was calling from another line.

“What do you want?”

“We need to talk about our marriage.”

Evelyn went still.

In their previous life, Nicole had rarely used the word marriage unless he wanted something from her. Hearing it now made her suspicious.

“I'm listening.”

“You've been behaving strangely. Refusing to help me, questioning my spending, and avoiding my calls. People will start asking questions.”

“Let them.”

“Evelyn, I'm trying to be reasonable.”

She almost laughed at the familiar phrase.

“What would you consider reasonable?”

“A fresh start. We can put this behind us if you stop making accusations and transfer the money Vanessa needs.”

There it was.

Even his attempt at reconciliation came with a price.

Evelyn sat on the edge of the bed.

“Nicole, do you love me?”

The question seemed to catch him off guard.

“What kind of question is that?”

“A simple one.”

He hesitated. “Of course I do. You're my wife.”

“That wasn't what I asked.”

His voice sharpened. “Why are you doing this to me?”

Evelyn closed her eyes briefly.

She had asked him the same question in another life, after discovering messages between him and Vanessa. He had accused her of being insecure, and she had apologized for doubting him.

She would not repeat that scene.

“I think we should separate,” she said.

Silence filled the line.

Then Nicole laughed, but there was no humor in it.

“You're threatening divorce because I asked you for money?”

“No. I'm considering divorce because I no longer trust you.”

“You can't just walk away from this marriage.”

“Watch me.”

She ended the call.

Her hands trembled, and her chest felt painfully tight. She had expected relief, but grief arrived alongside it. A part of her still mourned the marriage she had believed she had, even if that marriage had never truly existed.

She allowed herself a few minutes to cry.

Then she washed her face, drank some water, and returned to work.

There would be time to grieve later. Right now, she needed to prepare.

She began packing clothing, documents, and personal necessities into labeled bags. Anything valuable or irreplaceable went into a separate box. She would move the first load to the new house the following morning.

As she stored the smaller items, a notification appeared.

**Storage usage: 1.12 cubic meters.**

Evelyn studied the number.

She had gained a little more experience with the system, but its capacity remained limited. She would need to prioritize carefully.

That evening, she wrote three rules at the top of a fresh page.

**Protect the money. Secure the shelter. Trust actions, not promises.**

She looked at the words for a long time.

Outside, a motorcycle passed, followed by the distant sound of music from a neighboring apartment. The world continued as though nothing would ever change.

Evelyn knew better.

She had twenty-seven days left.

And for the first time since her rebirth, she had somewhere that belonged to her alone.

It wasn't a fortress. It wasn't a miracle.

It was simply a beginning.

For now, that was enough.