Chapter 2

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

Natalie reached into her pocket and took out a box of medicine. It was Tyler's backup fever medication.

"Hayden, keep this with you, just in case." She pressed the medicine into Hayden's hands.

I'd begged Natalie to bring that medicine home. Not only had she never come back, but she'd given our son's life-saving medication to someone else.

But it didn't matter anymore. Tyler was already beyond saving.

"Director Strickland, the water level around Building Three has risen again." One of the logistics coordinators, Megan Carter, hurried over, looking flustered. "The first floor is completely underwater now. Should we send another team to check on them?"

Natalie's brow furrowed, a trace of irritation flashing across her face. "I already said Building Three isn't our priority. Emerson knew the water would rise. He's perfectly capable of getting Tyler up to the second-floor landing."

Megan hesitated. "But I just tried calling Emerson. His phone's unreachable."

"He turned it off on purpose because he's mad at me." Natalie let out a cold laugh. "He pulls this stunt every time work keeps me busy. He's a grown man, but he's more petty than anyone I've ever met.

"Just ignore him. The more attention you give him, the worse he gets."

Then she turned toward Hayden, her voice instantly softening. "Hayden, are you hungry? I'll have someone bring us a couple of meal boxes."

Hayden shook his head, looking as considerate as ever. "I'm fine. Supplies are limited. Save them for the people who need them more. You're the one coordinating the rescue. You should eat."

Approval flickered across Natalie's face. "See? If Emerson were even half as thoughtful as you. All he ever cares about is his own little world. He never thinks about the bigger picture."

Megan frowned. She opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something, but in the end, she swallowed the words.

Tyler and I stood right in front of them. He reached out his tiny hand, trying to touch Natalie's face.

"Mommy, Daddy wasn't mad. His phone fell into the water."

His hand passed straight through her body, touching nothing.

Tyler froze. He stared at his own translucent hand as tears rolled silently down his cheeks. "Daddy, Mommy can't hear me."

I gently pulled him back and wrapped an arm around him. "It's okay. We don't need her anymore. I will take you away."

Just then, the phone on the command desk rang.

"Director Strickland, one of our patrol teams found a cell phone near Building Three. There's a family photo of you and your husband on it. We think it belongs to Emerson."

Natalie's expression darkened. "Where did you find it?"

"Outside the first floor of Building Three. It was caught on the security bars in a tree branch."

Natalie was silent for two seconds before letting out a dismissive scoff. "So he's really committed to the act. He even threw out his phone just to lure me back? Forget about him. He's probably watching you from the second floor.

"Send the patrol boat to Building Eight instead. There are still several elderly residents waiting to be evacuated."

She hung up.

Rubbing her temples, Natalie looked exhausted.

Hayden walked behind her and gently began massaging her shoulders. "You're worn out, Natalie. Why don't you take a break?"

"I'm fine." She patted the back of his hand. "As long as you and Aviana are safe, a little hard work is nothing."

Watching the effortless intimacy between them, I felt... nothing.

There was a time when scenes like this would've started another fight between us. She always accused me of being unreasonable. She'd remind me that Hayden was a struggling single father and tell me to be more understanding.

Now, I never had to waste another ounce of myself on any of it again.

"System, how much time do we have left?"

[Forty-six hours remain.]

I nodded and took Tyler's hand before leading him to a quiet corner to sit down.