Aries lifted her head, smiling as she retorted, "Boss, haven't I always been faithfully following you?"
Estrella sneered, abruptly pulling Aries toward her and fiercely kissing her lips. She showed no restraint, sucking and biting until the taste of blood filled their mouths. Only then did Estrella release her.
"If I catch you betraying me," Estrella's eyes held a mocking smile as she whispered in Aries's ear, "I will crush every bone in your body, mix you with your blood and flesh, and devour you."
The phrase 'if I catch you...' lingered in the air, carrying a dangerous signal.
Like a dangerous cat that noticed a mouse playing tricks under its paw, Estrella seemed calm but was eager to see what moves Aries would make.
Clearly, Estrella had sensed something.
Aries slightly lowered her head, avoiding direct eye contact. However, her trembling shoulders revealed the unrest within her.
Closing the door to the study softly, Aries stood in the corridor. After a moment, she licked her wounded lip, a hint of an excited smile playing on her lips.
Two days later, Aries drove alone to the supply station in District D. It wasn't time for distributing supplies yet, and the station's gate was tightly shut. Aries knocked for a while, and Miley answered impatiently, opening the door. He stared at Aries for a moment, his gaze landing on the collar around her neck. Wondering, he asked, "What kind of interest is this?"
Ignoring his question, Aries walked in and asked, "Is Jazlyn's due date approaching?"
Miley, distracted from the previous topic, didn't press further. Many people had peculiar habits in this post-apocalyptic world. He scratched his head in frustration when Katalina was mentioned. "It's been over eight months. We haven't been to the hospital. I don't know when she'll give birth. I've been on edge, not daring to leave her side."
"I'll take her to the hospital," Aries said.
"What?" Miley was stunned for a moment. "Are you planning to take her away?"
"Otherwise? In this environment of District D, aren't you afraid something might happen to her?"
Miley remained silent for a while. He took out a cigarette, put it in his mouth but didn't light it. After a few moments, he furrowed his brow and asked in a serious tone, "Do you have a plan?" Katalina's presence in District D was puzzling. A woman like her clearly didn't belong here, and even Miley didn't know about her past. Despite her mysterious background, Miley didn't care. He only knew that she was the woman he deeply loved.
However, just because Miley didn't care didn't mean others didn't. People who had been exiled and returned, once discovered, knew they wouldn't have a good outcome.
Miley couldn't leave District D. He was bound to this place for the rest of his life, and the only hope he had was Aries. If she couldn't guarantee Katalina's safety, how could Miley trust her to take the woman away?
"Take her to Heguang Hospital in District B; I've arranged things with someone there."
"With who?" Miley inquired.
"A woman named Erl."
"Erl? Why haven't I heard of her?" Despite his current situation, Miley had done well back in District A. He was familiar with almost everyone notable. Yet, he couldn't recall anyone named Erl.
"She claims to be from District D, and I once saved her life."
Miley looked at her as if she were insane. "Is your damn head cracked? How the hell can you believe that? I've saved people here too; where's my gratitude?"
"I don't know what she's up to. Maybe she just wants to get on Estrella's good side." Aries frowned. "District A is in the center of power, and every day is unpredictable chaos. Although District B is worse off than A, it's still better than handing Jazlyn over to Estrella."
The seemingly dominant Estrella family ruling the Safe Zones could change owners abruptly. In this cruel post-apocalyptic world, Aries wouldn't be surprised if that happened one day.
Moreover, even if Estrella were to help, Aries didn't want her to know about the closeness between her, Miley, and Katalina. It was a matter of personal interest.
"No way," Miley immediately rejected the idea without a second thought.
"Think about it in the next two days," Aries said, unwilling to waste more time on him.
She understood Miley's concerns, and she didn't want to pressure him. For the next two days, Aries stayed in District D with Katalina. Katalina was delighted and even personally cooked a couple of dishes despite her large belly. In the evenings, Aries kicked Miley out of the bedroom, sleeping with Katalina. This annoyed Miley, and he continuously demanded Aries to leave. The two of them bickered and argued daily, creating a lively atmosphere that made the time pass quickly.
On the night before Aries left, both Miley and Aries didn't sleep much. When it was barely dawn, Miley went around to his own bedroom, lightly tapping on the window.
Aries, hearing the sound, looked up and glanced at him, knowing he had something to say. She quietly got out of bed and walked out.
Miley had been smoking all night, and cigarette butts were scattered everywhere outside, forming small mountains when gathered. Aries, looking at his somewhat haggard face, knew that he had not had an easy night.
When Miley called Aries out, he didn't rush to speak. He remained squatting under the wall, smoking. Aries didn't rush him either, just wearing her coat and hood, arms crossed, leaning against the wall, looking up at the increasingly bright sky.
In the apocalypse, even the dawn was shrouded in a layer of gloom. Aries suddenly wanted to know what the sky was like in the old days.
"Girl, Miley was born tough. Back then, when they targeted me, even almost killed me, they threw me into this District D. From start to finish, I never asked anyone for help." After who knows how long, Miley suddenly said these words. When he spoke, he didn't lift his head; his gaze just fell on a stone not far ahead. His voice was low, hoarse, and somewhat seasoned. "Today, I'm asking you for one thing, just today. Can you send them back to me safe and sound? Can you do it?"
Aries didn't say anything else, just said, "Katalina is my sister."
Miley chuckled, took a drag of his cigarette, stood up, and rubbed her head vigorously. He messed up her hat, saying, "Little brat has grown up. Those years of feeding you ham sausages weren't in vain. I can finally bask in your glory."
"Get lost." Aries kicked him in the leg, picked up the fallen hat, put it back on, and turned back into the house.
During breakfast, Aries told Katalina about the plan and asked her to get ready to leave with her. Katalina was a bit surprised and gave Miley a glance while holding her bowl.
Miley looked happy, bluntly saying, "When you go, let the doctor check carefully to see if it's a boy or a girl." He paused and quickly explained to Katalina, "Ah, I'm not biased against boys or girls. I'll like your child no matter what. I'm just curious."
Katalina wasn't foolish, and she could be said to be a woman with keen insight. She calmly asked, "If you want to take me away, why did you only bring it up today?"
"Contacted today." Aries smiled and told her, "I didn't want you to get your hopes up for nothing. Jazlyn, don't worry about it. I've got everything arranged."
Katalina pursed her lips and didn't say anything more.
Both Miley and Aries felt a tightness in their hearts for a moment, and for a while, no one dared to make a sound. After a while, Aries asked cautiously, "Jazlyn? Don't you want to go?"
Katalina looked up at her, smiled faintly, and said, "No, just feel like I'll be troubling you."
"What are you saying?" Aries pulled her hand and held it. "I'm not polite with you, and you're still being polite with me?"
So, the matter was settled here.
After breakfast, Miley packed up and sent Katalina to the car. In fact, District D was so poor that there wasn't much to pack, but he worried about Katalina. He wanted to give her everything that could be used. He hastily gathered a pile of miscellaneous things, packed them, and stuffed them into Aries' car.
Aries was very disgusted. "Don't put your junk in my car. Buy new things when we get there. It's better than these."
"Nonsense! These are all things you, Jazlyn, are used to. Bought new ones because you're afraid she won't get used to them." The two stood in front of the car, puffing on their beards, and Katalina, somewhat helpless, said, "Alright, alright, you two, can't you stop at this point?" She turned around, raising her hand to straighten Miley's collar, saying, "I know you're worried, but really, there's nothing major. I'm just going to have a child. After giving birth, I'll come back. During the time I'm not here, take good care of yourself. Smoke and drink less, remember to eat on time."
"Hey, I'm a man, how did it come to this." Miley's eyes were a bit red. They say women go through a life-and-death experience when giving birth, and he hated that he couldn't be by her side. He grabbed Katalina's hands, holding them in his palms, and said in a deep voice, "You and the child must be safe and sound. I'll be waiting for you two to come back."
Aries, a bit impatient, interrupted him, "Miley, are you disgusting? Why are you making it sound like a farewell to life and death? This is my Jazlyn; can I let her suffer?"
Miley, with widened eyes, was about to scold back, but Katalina, with some helplessness, said, "Alright, the time isn't early. Let's go now." Saying this, she patted Miley's arm, "Don't worry."
Miley still wanted to hug Katalina, but Aries was watching. He didn't want to be too sentimental, so he just lowered his head, grunted, and helped Katalina into the car.
As the car just started moving, Aries glanced in the rearview mirror. Seeing Miley standing there like a stone statue, staring, she pressed down the window, stuck her hand out, and raised a middle finger. Miley, infuriated, bent down to pick up a stone on the ground to throw, but when he thought that his wife was still in the car, he angrily threw the stone away, cursing as he turned to leave.
"You two are really like enemies. Every time you meet, you have to argue a bit." Katalina smiled wryly.
"We're like that, can't stand each other at first sight." Aries closed the car window and said to Katalina, "If you're uncomfortable anywhere, you must tell me."
"You two are just too nervous." As if she wasn't carrying a child in her belly, but rather a bomb.
Aries opened her mouth, but didn't know what to say. Even though she was a woman herself, she knew nothing about pregnancy. In the environment of District D, giving birth was very casual. Both she and Miley had no concept of prenatal care or postnatal care.
But Katalina deserved the best, so the two of them could only be awkwardly careful.
On the way back, Aries drove cautiously to avoid bumps. They chatted casually for a while. Suddenly, Katalina asked, "Xiao Qing, are you still okay at Estrella's house?"
This was the first time Katalina asked about her situation at Estrella's house. Aries was somewhat surprised but still smiled and said, "The entire safe zone is under the control of the Estrella family. What's not good about being in the Estrella family? Jazlyn, why do you suddenly ask about this?" She spoke and looked at the rearview mirror. Suddenly, she met Katalina's calm and watery gaze. She hesitated for a moment and asked again, "What's wrong, Jazlyn? What are you worried about?"
"What's on your neck?"
Aries's smile froze on her face, and she replied dryly, "It's just an accessory."
Katalina nodded in agreement, saying with a serious tone, "Ari has grown up, even engraving other people's names on accessories."
Aries' smile suddenly turned into a wry one, pleading, "Just spare me."
"What exactly is going on?" Hearing Katalina's serious tone, Aries gave up her playful demeanor. She couldn't believe that Aries willingly wore something that obviously carried insulting implications. How would others perceive her?
"Estrella has been good to me." Aries drove, reminiscing about the few encounters with Estrella in District D during her childhood, her face showing a nostalgic expression.
Sitting in the back seat, Katalina couldn't see Aries' expression, but she listened to her tone and asked with some surprise, "You... and her?"
Aries didn't answer, letting Katalina imagine for herself. Regardless of how the other party perceived it, Aries had accepted it. However, after a moment, she heard Katalina say somewhat seriously, "Ari, don't lie to me."
Aries sighed inwardly. Women were much more perceptive than men. She spoke, "It's okay. I've been with Estrella for so many years, and she won't harm me, even if she's not the best."
Katalina frowned. "But she..."
"She's actually sentimental." Aries looked ahead and continued, "She's not even aware of it."
Katalina fell silent. Indeed, Aries had been with Estrella for many years, and her understanding of Estrella was far greater than hers. With the conversation at this point, she didn't feel it was appropriate to interrupt.
"Take care of yourself."
Aries knew that Katalina cared about her. Such warmth was precious in the cruel world of the apocalypse, and it was difficult to let go. She sighed inwardly, and with a softened tone, she said, "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."