A huge weight had finally been lifted off my heart.

But the bedroom door did not open again.

Sebastian stayed in the living room. He had a long discussion with Vivien about the problems of the apocalypse.

I could already imagine the excuses he would give if I stepped out.

It would be either a scientific discussion or teacher-student communication.

I had heard it too many times. It was the same old stuff.

I did not even have the strength to open the door.

I decided to let it go. It was the apocalypse. In this heat, every surge of anger felt like heartburn.

I needed to conserve my strength to get my mother out alive.

When life and death were at stake, love did not seem so important anymore.

Eventually, I fell into a deep sleep.

The next morning, Vivien was still there.

She was sitting at the dining table, eating breakfast off my plate.

When she saw me, she stood up stiffly and bowed politely.

“Good morning, Rose. My… my air conditioner broke. I came over only this morning. If I disturbed you, I’m sorry.”

I forced a thin smile. Her blanket on the sofa was not even folded yet.

They had not bothered to explain. Or perhaps they simply did not think I deserved an explanation.

“Rose, let’s have breakfast.”

It was rare for Sebastian to cook. Today, he played the role of the considerate husband in front of Vivien.

Vivien picked up her cutlery again. My gaze fell on the plate in her hands.

Sebastian and I handcrafted that plate on Valentine’s Day five years ago.

He had even carved his vow to be with me forever at the bottom of the plate. This plate was like our token of love.

But it was now being used by another woman.

When Sebastian noticed my gaze, he casually said, “Oh, she likes it, so I let her use it.”

I was furious. I grabbed the car keys and headed outside to pick up my mother.

Sebastian grabbed me. He coldly asked, “Where are you going? It’s 158 °F outside. Even if you’re angry at me, don’t risk your life.”

Vivien chimed in softly with her eyes red, “Yes, Rose. The asphalt is melting. It’s dangerous even to drive.”

I let out a breath. “I’m going to pick up my mother. Let go of me!”

In the struggle, the plate slipped from Vivien’s hands.

It shattered on the floor. The vow carved into its base broke into unrecognizable fragments.

Sebastian froze, as if something had struck his chest.

I pushed past him and stepped into the heat.

In the apocalypse, even the stray cats and dogs on the street had disappeared, leaving only dead, oppressive silence.

I picked up my mother as quickly as I could. Her air conditioner could fail at any moment.

When we returned home, I felt Sebastian’s judgmental gaze on me.

He hid his emotions very quickly before he took over my mother’s suitcase and said respectfully, “Madam Ziegler.”

My mother flashed him a motherly smile.

After settling her in, Sebastian pulled me aside.

He looked at me with a dark face. “Rose, I must remind you of something. This is an apocalypse, and we lack resources. The remaining food in our house is not sufficient.

“Four people might be a bit too many.”

I stared at him. I could not process what I had just heard.

He actually thought my mother was the burden.

I stared at him in disbelief. I felt so disappointed that my heart broke in that instant.

“Sebastian Jenkins, she’s my mother! Must I remind you that she supported you for six years?!

“How could you say something like that?”

Sebastian pushed his glasses up and said indifferently, “Rose, I meticulously calculated every ration. I’m just stating the facts.”

There it was again, that rational, detached expression. It was as if my anger were merely emotional noise.

But I could not put up with him anymore.

“Sebastian, then you should make Vivian leave. How dare you treat my mother as unimportant and disposable? Have you completely lost your conscience?”

When I mentioned Vivien, he immediately raised his voice.

“That’s why I’m discussing it with you!”

Sebastian threw a plan at me.

“Smaller portions, more frequent meals. It will last until Vivien and I leave in three days. After that, you’re on your own.”

I tore the paper into pieces without looking at it.

Outside the room, my mother was studying Vivien in confusion.

She asked me anxiously, “Rose, this is…”

For once, Sebastian looked nervous.

He instinctively moved closer to Vivien as if shielding her.

I watched him in disappointment.

For me, Sebastian was as distant and detached as a faraway star.

It seemed at present that the star would never shed its light on me.

I did not want to make my mother worry, so I forced out a smile.

“Mom, this is Sebastian’s student.”

My mother sighed in relief and smiled.

“She looks smart.

“Are we all leaving together in three days?”

My mother was sensible. She looked at Sebastian for an answer.

When he heard her, he froze.

I answered on his behalf, “Mom, go and pack your suitcase. Don’t pack too many things. Each person is allowed only 22 pounds.”

My mother grinned, and she patted the back of my hand.

“You pack too. It’s best if we leave together.”

I nodded and headed for the bedroom. Sebastian followed.

The door shut heavily behind us.

Sebastian ran his fingers through his hair in frustration.

“Did you tell her we’re leaving together? How am I supposed to fix this? Where do you expect me to get two more tickets?

“Rose, you’re lying to her.”

I smiled. I had not lied to my mother.

We were leaving.

And once we did, we would have nothing to do with him ever again.

Sebastian frowned.

“Rose, what are you smiling at?

“Are you trying to put me on the spot so I’ll have no choice but to take your mother along?”

I opened the suitcase without looking at him.

“Don’t worry. My mother and I won’t affect your spots on Noah’s Ark.”

I began emptying drawers into the suitcase, then swept the souvenirs from the cabinet straight into the trash.

When the apocalypse was here, everything became garbage, including love.

Sebastian picked up a souvenir toy from the trash bin, and his face darkened.

I did not want to talk to him anymore. I just moved my things to the guest room where my mother was staying.

Over the next three days, supplies grew tighter. Each meal came with only a single glass of water.

On the second day, I woke up at night. I saw Vivien pressing ice cubes on her face.

I said nothing.

Her eyes instantly reddened. “Rose, my skin is too dry. I just wanted to cool it down. I’m sorry. I won’t do it again.”

When Sebastian heard the noise, he rushed over. He said indifferently, “Rose, she’s still young. Why are you being so strict with her?”

I felt baffled.

Yesterday, he had called my mother a burden. Today, he was saving resources for Vivien.

When my eyes met Vivien’s, the hurt lingering at the corners of her mouth slowly hardened, then curved into a subtle, knowing smile.

I was too tired for this. Without a word, I gathered the supplies allocated to my mother and me and went back to our room.

Sebastian reached out as if to stop me, but his hand fell midway. Frustration flickered across his face.

Soon, it was the third day. I held my mother’s hand and carried our suitcase to the door.

When Sebastian saw us, he immediately pulled me aside. His voice was tight with irritation.

“Rose, are you really planning to leave with me?

“I told you. You and your mother will go in the second batch. Do you understand me?

“Even if I gave up Vivien and chose you, would you abandon your mother? I’m doing this for your own good!”

He was saying all this for her.

I gave him a faint, mocking smile. “Who said I was leaving with you? I already told you. You don’t have to worry about our tickets. I have my own way.”

Sebastian frowned and grabbed my arm.

“Rose, you haven’t worked in years. How could you possibly get tickets? Can you stop being irrational?”

When he said that, I nearly laughed out loud.

Back then, only one person could enter the research institute. I stepped aside so he could take that opportunity. The achievements he flaunted today existed because I had withdrawn.

I pushed his hand away. “Sebastian, don’t make me regret that I’ve been blind all these years.”

He stared at his empty hands, and his frown deepened. He shouted, “Everything I do is carefully considered! Why can’t you trust me just once?”

I did not want my mother to hear all this. I coldly took back my suitcase. “Mind your own business!”

Sebastian wanted to say more, but just then, a Noah’s Ark vehicle pulled up outside.

I helped my mother forward, but Sebastian’s voice rose sharply.

“Rose, are you crazy? Without a quota, are you trying to force your way in?”

Then, he turned quickly to Vivien. “Get in. Don’t let anyone take your place.”

Vivien smiled. But the staff member checked his list and stopped her.

“Mr. Cooper sent this vehicle to pick up Ms. Taylor and her mother. Please don’t interfere with official duties!”

In that instant, Sebastian’s expression darkened further.