3

Four Days Until the Apocalypse

Early in the morning, Evan Alaric and the other three packed up and left without even telling me.

But that didn't matter. It was actually for the best that they were gone.

That same morning, I called a moving company and had them pack up everything in the house—all the food, supplies, and clothes—and take it back to my old home.

I even had the air conditioners and other appliances uninstalled and sold them for cheap.

Looking at the room, now stripped down to its load-bearing walls, I nodded in satisfaction.

But then, an idea popped into my head.

I went downstairs, bought a bag of crackers, and hid it in a cabinet in the study. Then I quickly arranged for someone to install a few security cameras in the apartment.

Only after all that was done did I take a taxi and hurry home.

When I arrived home with my daughter, my parents were clearly not expecting us.

"Honey, what are you doing back here?"

My mother looked confused. I usually lived in the city and rarely came home.

Before, I had dedicated almost all my time and energy to my Husband's family, only to be met with heartless betrayal.

I didn't even get to see my parents one last time before I died.

Seeing them again now, I couldn't stop the tears from streaming down my face.

"What's wrong? Did they mistreat you over there? I'll go find them!"

My father has a fiery temper, and seeing me like this, he probably already guessed what had happened.

I quickly pulled my father back.

"No, it's nothing like that. I just haven't seen you in so long, I missed you."

My eyes were filled with tears, but I managed a smile.

Perhaps not expecting me to say that, my father froze for a second before a smile spread across his face as well.

"You silly girl, come on in. Rosie Alaric is so big already? Come here, come here, let Grandpa Sterling hold you."

Rosie Alaric rarely visited my parents' home and was a little unfamiliar with them, but the blood flowing in her veins gave her a natural affinity for the two elders.

Before long, she had warmed up to them, calling them "Grandpa Sterling" and "Grandma Sterling" as sweetly as could be.

Since my daughter and I had made a rare trip back, my mother prepared a lavish lunch for us that day.

When I tasted that familiar flavor, my useless tears started flowing again.

It had been a long time since I'd come home, a long time since I'd seen my parents.

But this was my true home, the place where my roots were.

After lunch, I told my parents about my idea to fortify our old family house.

Although they were confused about my reasons, they didn't press the issue after seeing the serious look in my eyes.

This is what parents are like! They'll always support their children unconditionally!

That day, my parents and I made a shopping list at home, writing down everything we could possibly need, ready to go shopping in nearby Oakhaven the next day.

That night, I slept in the room I'd grown up in.

The room was spotlessly clean. Even though they never knew when I might return, my parents worried that if I suddenly came back, they wouldn't be able to provide the best environment for me.

So, even though it was a lot of work, they kept doing it.

That night, I slept more soundly than I had in a long time.