Miles lay back comfortably in his 25-degree room, wrapped only in a thin robe. He turned on the TV, flipping to the news. Astonishingly, it was still broadcasting; a few news anchors, bundled up like mummies, were trying to reassure the public.
At this point, it was only those in official positions who still enjoyed even basic security. The rest of society was descending into chaos.
On screen, a newswoman, her voice clear but tinged with strain, declared, "Rest assured, citizens. The government has mobilized every resource. Together, the American people will overcome this catastrophe!"
"The state is working tirelessly to restore energy to our major cities…"
"A large supply of provisions has been dispatched…"
Miles couldn't help but laugh. As the newswoman spoke, the camera accidentally captured the frantic scene behind her: crew members scrambling to seize a single pack of rationed biscuits.
This disaster had clearly spiraled beyond anyone's control.
While officials continued to preach resilience, such hollow reassurances only heightened the public's sense of betrayal. The universe, in all its unyielding might, had unleashed a force that reduced every human effort to vanity.
Though the world's most powerful nations had managed to prevent the GH asteroid from colliding with Earth, they were powerless to halt its aftermath. Earth's ecosystem lay in tatters, ravaged by consequences no one could foresee.
To heal the damage wrought would take decades, perhaps centuries… or perhaps an eternity.
...
Ding!
Just as Miles was reflecting on the uncertain future, his phone buzzed with an unexpected message.
"Miles, I'm sorry…"
A familiar phrase from a long-lost face. It was Ella.
Miles, somewhat surprised, responded, "Well, well, still alive?"
On the other end, Ella lay huddled under a pile of blankets, trembling with cold and stomach twisted in hunger. Seeing Miles' reply, a glimmer of relief crossed her face, though she stifled a cough, shivering even harder.
"Jerk!" she muttered under her breath. But her voice took on a sweet, pleading tone: "I'm so sorry, Miles. I know I was wrong… Can we put the past behind us?"
Since the first day of the blizzard, power had been cut off in Ella's building. At first, she hadn't thought much of it. But as days passed, even the water system failed, and by then it was too late.
When power briefly returned for half an hour, her first instinct was to reach out to Miles.
After all, his neighborhood was leagues ahead of her own. And just minutes before, she'd seen a striking piece of news: a certain "Miles" had bought out an entire supermarket before the crisis hit.
The revelation had set her seething. So that was why he had desperately gathered cash, not because of some bogus "gambling debt," but because he'd known the end was coming and had been hoarding supplies all along!
And more galling still, at least nine million of that had come from her.
But now, Ella was more cautious; having learned her lesson with Zeki, she decided to play her emotions to win him back.
"To put me through this again? You'd love that, wouldn't you?" Miles scoffed but soon found himself scheming. If she'd survived this long, she'd played right into his hands—how could he miss this chance to settle old scores?
He replied, "And how would that work? Just for you to betray me again?"
"No, no!" Ella hurried to reply, catching the hope in his tone. "That wasn't my fault… they spiked my drink, and they were too many… I fought them, really, I did."
Miles laughed bitterly at her audacity.
"What were you doing out in the first place, if you didn't want trouble?" he replied, feigning anger. "You expect me to forgive you?"
Ella had anticipated this reaction. She replied with a soft sob, "I didn't mean to, Miles. I was drugged… it was just an accident, and I really did try to resist."
"But after everything… how am I supposed to forgive you?"
He layered his tone with weary resignation.
Ella sneered inwardly, sensing victory. "I know, Miles, I know I've hurt you. But haven't you forgotten how close we used to be?"
"Have you forgotten you once said you'd love me, only me, for this whole life?"
"Have you forgotten all the good times we had together?"
"Oh, Miles, I miss you so much. I just want to be with you again. I know you'd never let anyone deceive me again…"
"And Miles… I'm so cold… Can't you just hold me?"
The syrupy messages nearly made Miles lose his lunch.
"But I'm not cold."
He sent a photo in response—a spread of fine foods on his table. Beer, wine, steak, caviar, sushi, ham—the display was lavish. And above it all, the thermostat on the wall read a cozy 25 degrees.
Ella's eyes widened in disbelief.
Just how much had he hoarded?
And to still have power—and to indulge in such luxury...
She shot back eagerly, "Miles, I miss you so much! Let's get back together."
"And what about that money I owe you?" Miles replied.
Ella hesitated.
Nine million was no small sum. Her family's entire worth didn't come close.
But facing this brutal reality…
She hardened her resolve. "Yours, mine—does it really matter now? I know you borrowed it to stock up; it's not like you aren't using it now."
Cunning woman. Ella knew life was more precious than money and was subtly implying that half of what he'd stored was rightfully hers.
Miles chuckled. Sure, take half—if you survive long enough to claim it.
His next message was brief. "Fine. Then come on over…"
Ella's heart leaped. She pouted a bit and replied, "But can you pick me up? It's freezing out there. I might die trying to get there."
"I can't leave right now."
"But…"
"No buts. Come or don't. Your choice."
Miles's tone was impatient as he left her on read.
After sending a flurry of unanswered messages, Ella, seeing her phone's battery dip to 5%, clenched her jaw and threw off the blankets.
Fine, I'll go!
Better to risk the journey than sit here and freeze or starve to death.
His tone still held a hint of fondness, she assured herself. She was confident that once she arrived, she'd win him back.
Once under his roof, she'd take control of his resources. And when the time was right, she'd bring her parents and brother over. Their family would be secure in his fortress.