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.