I called the real estate agent right away.

"I need to rent a place immediately. I need to sign the lease and move in today," I said, my voice hurried but clear.

"Ma'am, that's really short notice. We usually need at least 24 hours to schedule a showing."

I let the right amount of tremor and desperation creep into my voice. "My fiance cheated on me, and I need to move out immediately. Money isn't an issue. I can pay any additional fees."

There was a brief silence on the other end of the line. "Alright, I can see what I can do. Do you have any specific requirements?"

"I want the vacant third-floor unit at 1247 Maple Street."

"How do you know that unit is available for rent?"

I told a flawless lie. "I noticed it when I passed by earlier. There was a "For Rent" sign on the door. Please contact the landlord immediately. I need to sign the lease within the hour."

…

An hour later, I stood inside the vacant apartment. The view couldn't have been better. I had a clear line of sight to Leo's place.

The landlord, Sarah Olsen, was a military veteran in her 40s, with cropped hair, sharp eyes, and faded military tattoos running down her arms. She sized me up like she was still on duty.

I got straight to the point and pulled up the transfer. "I'll pay six months up front."

Sarah raised an eyebrow. "So, you met a cheating jerk?"

I held her gaze and caught the concern there. I decided to warn her.

"Something worse than a cheating jerk. Sarah, if you trust me, secure your doors and windows today and stock up on food and water. Things could go very wrong tomorrow."

She frowned. Her instincts, honed by military service, kept her from dismissing my words outright. "What do you mean?"

My tone stayed sincere and firm. "I can't say much more than that, but trust me or don't. It's your call. I have seen certain… signs. If you trust me, do what I said."

Sarah went quiet for a few seconds, then nodded slowly. "I've seen too much war and too many disasters. I know when to listen to a stranger's warning."

After the lease was signed, I immediately contacted a 24-hour physical security contractor.

"I need emergency service. I need you to install the best security doors you have and bulletproof glass today."

"Ma'am, that will require an additional emergency service fee, and the installation of bulletproof glass—"

I cut him off. "Money isn't an issue. I want the best protection. I want the strongest locks and privacy film. I want a clear view outside, and I don't want anyone looking in.

Rapid keyboard tapping came through the line. "Alright. We'll be on site within three hours. The total cost will be approximately 25 thousand dollars. Are you sure?"

"I'm sure. Start immediately."

I also contacted a professional surveillance systems company and requested high-definition cameras and listening devices.

"I need equipment that can monitor the building across from me. The video has to be clear, and the audio has to be clean."

"Ma'am, there are privacy laws—"

I lied again. "This is for a property I own, so it's completely legal. I suspect illegal activity is happening there."

Just then, another call came in. The screen flashed the number for the "remodeling contractor" Leo had lined up.

"Ms. Covey, are you available to sign the contract now?"

I sounded exhausted. "I'm sorry, something urgent came up. I have to run out and deal with a bank card issue. I'll call you back in about an hour. Is that okay?"

"Of course. No problem."

After I hung up, I let out a cold, humorless laugh. Time was tight, but everything was going exactly the way I wanted it.

Leo and Jessica thought they were hunting a lamb. They didn't realize the lamb had already turned into a wolf, hungry and vengeful, working off a plan that couldn't fail.

I stared out the window, imagining the look on their faces by this time tomorrow, when the zombie outbreak would hit.

They would be desperate and terrified, and they would regret everything. But it would already be too late by then.

The remodeling contractor called again. "Ms. Covey, are you available right now?"

I checked my watch. Workers from the security contractor were about to arrive.

"I'm sorry. Give me another hour. I'm tied up right now."

I ended the call with the remodeling contractor and picked up the bank card that held 150 thousand dollars.

Time was running out, but I still had to get everything bought today and pile up supplies before the zombies hit.

In my past life, Leo swindled me out of that money. In this life, it had to stay my lifeline.

I rushed to the nearest warehouse club, grabbed a cart, and headed straight for the food section.

I told the staff, "I need to buy in bulk. It's for a big company team-building event."

I wiped out the canned-food aisle, grabbing every can of tuna, ham, and beans I could find. I also took anything that would keep, including hardtack, energy bars, and nuts.

I bought 50 boxes of pasta, 30 bags of flour, and 20 bottles of cooking oil.

The cashier stared at me. "Ma'am, are you sure you need all of this?"

I swiped my card. "It's for a company retreat outside the city, and we've got a big headcount. I need rush delivery. It needs to arrive this afternoon."

Next, I made a pass through the outdoor aisle and grabbed a solar generator, a water purifier, and a couple of portable stoves. Then I stopped at the counter and arranged delivery for a chest freezer.

After that, I headed over to sporting goods and added a compound bow, arrows, machetes, and stun batons.

"Are these also for the team-building event?" the cashier asked, clearly confused.

"It's wilderness survival training. Our company has very strict requirements," I said without blinking.

One cart was no longer enough, so I grabbed two more and loaded them with cases of bottled water, first-aid kits, flashlights, batteries, ropes, and gas masks.

Every single item was essential for surviving the apocalypse.

The remodeling contractor called again, his voice sharp with anger, as if he were ready to come over and take a swing at me.

"Ms. Covey, we've already been waiting two hours."

"I'm so sorry! My bank card got hit with fraud, and the bank froze it. They won't unfreeze it until tomorrow, so I can't pay today," I said, rushing the words.

"Are you—"

I cut in before he could go off. "I'll add five grand for the time you lost. I guarantee you'll get the full payment tomorrow at 10:00 am."

There were a few seconds of silence before he said, "Alright. We'll come back tomorrow."

After I hung up, I finally let out a breath. Now I had the whole night to finish the final preparations.

At checkout, the cashier froze when the total popped up. "Ma'am, your total comes to 138,742 dollars."

I tapped my card without hesitation. All of it was survival gear, and I didn't care what it cost.

"The rush delivery fee is extra, and we can get everything to you by 6:00 pm today."

"No problem."

After I left the warehouse club, I stopped at a military surplus store and bought a bulletproof vest, night-vision goggles, tactical gloves, and combat boots.

The owner eyed me. "Are you law enforcement?"

I flashed a forged ID. "Private security. My client has high standards."

When I got back to the new apartment, workers from the security contractor were installing bulletproof glass.

"Ma'am, this level of protection is usually for banks or government buildings," the foreman said.

I lied smoothly. "My ex-husband has a violent streak, and he has ties to organized crime. I'm terrified he'll show up and start something, so I really need the highest level of protection."

After that, the foreman stopped pushing. A violent ex was reason enough.

The privacy film let me see out just fine, but nobody outside could see in. The security door was almost two inches thick and bolted three ways.

At 6:00 pm, the warehouse club delivery truck pulled up right on time. The workers carried box after box into the apartment, and the place filled up fast.

As I looked at the supplies, I felt safer than I ever had.

Canned food was stacked in piles, and cases of bottled water covered an entire wall. The solar generator sat on the balcony, and the freezer hummed steadily.

The compound bow was mounted on the wall, with arrows lined up neatly beside it. The machetes and stun batons stayed within easy reach.

This was my apocalypse shelter, the place that would keep me alive when the zombies hit.

Night fell while I organized the last of the supplies, and my phone rang. A familiar name flashed on the screen.

Jessica.

I stared at it and smirked.

The real show was finally about to begin.

Jessica's voice came through the phone, rough with tears. "Chloe? Can I stay with you tonight?"

I took a deep breath and steadied my voice. "Jessica, what happened? Do you need help?"

She sobbed as she spoke. "I fought with Rex again. He was drunk and tried to hit me. I have nowhere to go right now."

It was exactly the same as in my past life. Jessica always came to me after fighting with her violent boyfriend, Rex Henderson, and I always took her in without hesitation.

I'd never had many friends, and she had been the only one who'd treated me kindly since college.

In my past life, I truly thought of her as a friend, and whenever she had a problem, I did everything I could to help. I didn't realize that every time she came to me, it was so she could sneak around with Leo.

I made my voice sound shocked and sympathetic. "That's horrible. How could he do that to you? Of course, you can come over. I'll come pick you up."

Relief softened Jessica's voice. "Really? You're the best. I'll wait for you at the downtown cafe."

"I'll be there soon."

After I hung up, I slipped on my coat and grabbed my car keys.

It was time to set the last piece into place.

As I drove downtown, my thoughts drifted back to that night in my past life.

Jessica had cried as she told me Rex had hit her again, and I'd taken her home, my heart aching for her. Leo had looked concerned, but underneath it, he'd been thrilled.

I'd been a complete idiot. I'd offered to sleep in the guest room and given Jessica my bedroom.

Then, in the middle of the night, I realized Leo wasn't beside me anymore, and I heard their low, restrained breathing.

Back then, I'd lied to myself. I told myself I must've imagined it. Looking back now, I realized how stupid I'd been.

At the cafe, Jessica sat in a corner booth, her eyes swollen and red, her makeup slightly smudged.

When she saw me, she rushed over and hugged me. "Chloe, thanks for letting me stay with you."

I patted her back. "Don't say that. We're best friends. You should've left that asshole Rex a long time ago."

Jessica bit her lip. "I know, but… I'm scared of being alone."

I held her hand. "You're not alone. You still have me. Come on, let's go home."

In the car, Jessica kept ranting about Rex's violent streak. "He said I was his property, and he wouldn't let me talk to other men. He even meant Leo. He said the way Leo looked at me was wrong."

I almost laughed.

Rex wasn't wrong. Leo really did want his girlfriend, and Jessica was just pretending she didn't notice.

When we got back to Leo's apartment, I unlocked the door with my key.

Leo was sitting on the couch watching TV. When he saw Jessica, surprise flashed in his eyes, but concern took over right away.

He stood up. "Jessica? What happened? You look upset."

Jessica wiped at her tears. "Rex went crazy again. If it weren't for Chloe, I wouldn't even know where I'd go."

Leo walked over and gently touched Jessica's shoulder. "Don't worry. You're safe here."

I watched the way they moved around each other. That easy closeness between them made me feel sick, but I had to keep up the act.

I spoke gently. "Jessica, go take a shower first. I'll get you some pajamas. Leo, can you stay with her for a bit? I'll go make something to eat."

Leo nodded, and something flickered in his eyes. "Of course."

In the kitchen, I could hear their voices drifting in from the living room.

"Is she okay?" Leo asked.

Jessica gave a soft laugh. "She's still so naive. She has no idea about us—"

"Keep your voice down," Leo warned.

I clenched my fists and forced myself to stay calm.

Before long, Jessica came out of the shower wearing my pajamas.

I pretended to yawn. "I'm kind of tired tonight. You two can keep talking. I'm going to bed. Jessica, call me if you need anything."

Jessica hugged me. "Thanks, Chloe. You're the best friend anyone could ask for."

I went back to the bedroom and quietly closed the door.

Then I pulled a tiny listening device out of my bag. I'd gotten it earlier that day from the surveillance systems company.

I crept into the living room and, while they weren't paying attention, stuck it under the couch.

Back in the bedroom, I put on my headphones and adjusted the receiver. Before long, their voices came through loud and clear.

"Is she asleep?"

It was Leo's voice.

"She should be. She looked really tired today," Jessica answered.

"Then we…"

"Wait. Give it a little more time."

I listened with a smirk, and revenge kept twisting tighter under my ribs.

Good. Everything was going according to plan. Tomorrow, when the zombie outbreak hit, the sleazy pair would learn their good times were over.