Chapter 1

I snapped my eyes open, gasping frantically for air as the agonizing sensation of my carotid artery being violently ripped apart lingered in my neck.

I couldn’t shake the memory of Chloe Mercer and her foster brother, Boyd Brooks. They hadn’t just stolen the last moldy piece of bread I had risked my life to find; the exact moment the zombies smashed through the security door, they had grabbed my arms from both sides and ruthlessly shoved me into the horde.

“Ethan, Boyd is in poor health,” Chloe had screamed. “Block them for us, and I’ll remember your sacrifice forever!”

I clenched my fists until they hurt, using the sting to remind myself that my regression was entirely real.

Throwing off the blankets, I stepped out of bed and walked into the living room, where the screen of Boyd’s iPad was still glowing on the coffee table. Looking at the chat interface on the display, a cold smirk curled the corners of my lips.

The next morning, inside a luxury private hospital room.

I stared coldly at Boyd, who was lying in bed pretending to be frail, while Chloe hovered over him with endless warmth and concern.

“Doctor Evans, cancel the surgery,” I announced flatly. “I’m not donating.”

Chloe whipped her head around, her face masked in utter disbelief. “Ethan, have you lost your mind? Boyd’s uremia can’t be put off any longer. For you to back out now—are you playing us for fools?”

Boyd immediately cast his eyes downward, his tone dropping into a pathetic whine. “Chloe, don’t blame Ethan. It’s just my bad luck... Let’s forget the treatment. Just let me die.”

“Shut up! As long as I’m here, I will never let you die!”

Chloe squeezed his hand tightly, filled with heartache, before turning to glare at me with pure venom. “Ethan, I never realized you could be this cold-blooded! The match was successful, and you back out at the absolute last minute? Are you even human?”

Watching her act so righteous and indignant made my stomach churn with disgust.

“Yeah, I’m cold-blooded,” I sneered. “Since you think I’m so heartless, let’s get a divorce.”

Chloe froze, clearly caught off guard by the fact that I was the one bringing up a split. A flash of uncontrollable ecstasy washed over her eyes for a split second, but she quickly masked it, stiffening her expression to feign deep heartbreak.

“Fine, a divorce it is! I can’t spend another day with a selfish, spineless man who watches someone die without lifting a finger!” she spat. “But don’t expect to get a single dime from me. That luxury penthouse downtown is my pre-marital property. You leave with nothing!”

Without a shred of hesitation, I threw the word right back at her. “Deal.”

The very next day, I arrived at the hospital carrying the drafted divorce papers.

As I approached the door of the private room, Boyd’s smug laughter echoed out from inside.

“He’s so stupid,” Boyd bragged. “I just whipped up a random screenshot and he bought it completely. Now, we can finally be together out in the open.”

Chloe let out a soft, pampering laugh.

I pushed the door open and hurled the divorce agreement right in front of Chloe’s face. “Sign it.”

She gnashed her teeth and rapidly scribbled her name across the paper.

Clutching the document, I turned around and left the hospital without casting a single glance back.

Let them have the penthouse. I knew something they didn’t—the zombie apocalypse was hitting the city in exactly three days.