The advent of the Ice Age marked the dawn of a new world.
Unknown phenomena began to take root, and transformations beyond human comprehension quietly reshaped the earth.
The three drove home, and Isaac hurried off with two packs of milk in hand.
Ever since Lena and her child moved in, Isaac, who had endured thirty barren years, finally tasted the bloom of life again. He treated the child as his own, lavishing care and attention on him.
"Isaac seems completely enraptured," Miles remarked.
Having never married, Miles couldn't grasp the beauty of familial love.
Ryan, on the other hand, though a lifelong bachelor, was in his forties and felt its appeal more keenly than Miles.
Staring wistfully out the window, Ryan chuckled.
"True enough. A warm bed, a loving wife, and a child—what godly existence could ever compare to that?"
"Why don't you find someone, then?" Miles teased.
"There's no shortage of housewives in the neighborhood—seasoned, charming, and elegant. Pick one to keep you warm at night, but don't get too attached. In times like these, emotions can be fatal."
Ryan's eyes sparkled with hope but dimmed just as quickly. He shook his head.
"I'll pass. Nobody's trustworthy these days. The last thing I want is to wake up and find myself betrayed again."
It was clear Zeki's betrayal still weighed heavily on him.
Miles smirked.
"There are good women out there; you're just going about it wrong. Don't just treat her well—show her your worth. Make sure she knows betraying you isn't an option."
When they returned to the villa, Lisa had just finished preparing lunch.
"You're back," she said warmly, removing her apron. She helped Miles out of his protective suit, then knelt to put slippers on his feet.
"I've heated some water. Would you like to freshen up first?" Lisa asked, her smile radiant.
"Let's eat first. What's for lunch today?" Miles settled into his seat, relaxed and content.
Lisa quickly served a bowl of rice, placing a piece of wagyu steak on top.
"I tried my hand at wagyu steak today. Let me know how it tastes."
Being waited on like this, from physical comfort to emotional satisfaction, was an intoxicating luxury.
Lisa, a woman who mastered the art of subtlety, made every gesture, every expression, an invitation to delight.
Miles set down his bowl, pulling her into his arms.
Feeling the softness against him, he chuckled, burying his face in her shoulder.
"The wagyu is great, but this… this is perfection."
Snap.
His hands moved with practiced ease, undoing the clasps. With their constraints gone, the proud fullness spilled free…
"Stop it! We're still eating," Lisa murmured coyly, though her reluctance was feigned, her gaze a mix of shyness and allure.
"I am hungry," Miles grinned mischievously, "but I've decided to feast on you first."
Lisa gasped softly, her cheeks flushing crimson.
"Be gentle… you're squishing me…" she whispered, her voice trembling.
Miles swept her into his arms and carried her to the bedroom, tossing her onto the plush mattress.
What followed was a raw, uninhibited exchange of passion. When the barriers fell away, they faced each other with nothing but primal honesty.
Half an hour later, the room fell silent, save for the sound of labored breaths.
Then, soft sobs broke the quiet.
"Why are you crying?" Miles asked, his voice low.
Lisa buried her face in his chest, her tears dampening his skin.
"I miss my grandfather… and my family. I don't even know if they're still alive."
Miles paused, unsure how to respond.
Having grown up in an orphanage, he'd never known familial bonds, never felt the ache of such loss.
"Don't worry," he murmured, pulling her closer.
"If they're still alive, we'll find them someday. And if we do, I'll make sure they're cared for."
"Thank you, Miles," Lisa whispered, her tears flowing freely now.
"I know you're not a cold-hearted man. You just bury your emotions deep, afraid of betrayal… afraid of being hurt by those closest to you. But I love you, Miles. Truly. Even if you had no villa, even if we were starving in the wilderness, I'd still love you."
Miles stroked her hair gently, offering a soft smile.
"I understand," he said simply.
He rose, made his way to the living room, and downed a glass of water.
As he set the glass down, a sudden scream pierced the stillness.
He moved to the window and saw a gaunt man collapsed in the snow, his blood staining the icy ground.
It was the large woman.
The dead man was her skeletal husband, now reduced to a grisly spectacle.
Miles watched as she raised a cleaver, hacking at the corpse with ruthless efficiency.
Soon, an arm was severed.
The woman brought it to her lips, her mouth greedily sucking the still-warm blood.
Like a feral beast, she tore off another limb, savoring the warmth while her breath billowed white in the icy air.
Once done, she dragged the dismembered body away, leaving only a round, rolling head in the snow.
"Ah!"
Lisa's scream startled Miles.
She had arrived at the window just in time to witness the gruesome scene.
"She… she…" Lisa stammered, her face pale with horror as she stared at the woman's retreating figure.
Miles felt his stomach churn.
Suppressing the nausea, he sighed heavily.
"It's not surprising. Hunger drives people to unspeakable acts."
"She's… going to eat him?" Lisa asked, her voice trembling.
Though she had seen her share of grisly scenes in her medical career, this was different. This wasn't saving a life—this was consuming one.
In his previous life, Miles had never witnessed cannibalism firsthand but had heard whispers of such acts.
In this life, despite bringing back an unimaginable cache of supplies, he still couldn't escape the ugliest truths of human nature.
While he had managed to stave off the worst for many of the estate's residents, ensuring they hadn't devolved into beasts, this act of savagery struck a sobering chord.
It was a bitter reminder.
Saving a life was one thing; saving a soul was another.
No matter how many resources he had, when humanity's veneer cracked, the beast beneath was always waiting.