My parents were waiting for me in their safe house. Their table was piled high with food. They seemed to be doing just fine.
Before I could say anything, they launched straight into their accusations.
“Zayla, you really need to reflect on your decisions,” my father said. “Why would you give up your rescue spot for Lina? That
place was crawling with the infected. You could’ve been killed at any moment, and yet you threw away your chance at survival.”
“This isn’t the time to be selfless,” my mother added. “You’re not a child anymore. You need to start acting like an adult. As
things stand, we can’t trust your judgment.”
Not mature enough? Is that why they constantly went behind my back to talk to Oliver, ignoring my pain, pushing me to the
brink? Did they think Oliver was mature? That had to be the biggest joke I’d ever heard.
Not once did they ask me why I had chosen to give up my rescue spot.
“We don’t have time for your nonsense,” they continued. “Marry Oliver as soon as possible. You’re best suited to be a wife with
nothing to do.”
“What? No way.”
I didn’t care if they thought I was capable or not. The fact that I was still alive, still standing here, was proof enough.
I met their eyes, steady and unwavering. “I came back to tell you this–I’m calling off the engagement. I will never marry Oliver. I
swear on my life. Whatever deal you’re trying to secure through him, that’s your business. The world is ending. I am free. Don’t
try to drag me into this anymore.”
My father slammed something down in anger. Sometimes, I wondered if he was more like Oliver’s father than my own. They both
had a habit of throwing things when things didn’t go their way.
“Ungrateful bastard! Everything we’ve done has been for you. Oliver is outstanding. Even in times like these, he can protect you.
If you won’t marry him, then who will you marry?”
“That’s none of your business.”
We parted on bad terms, but I didn’t care what they thought of me anymore. All that mattered was that I was going to take control
of my own life.
The next day, they called me back.
They seemed calmer, though their expressions remained tense as they looked at me.
My father let out a cold laugh. “So you still haven’t changed your mind?”
“No,” I said.
“You-”
1/3
Chapter 6
+15 Bonus
“Enough.” My mother cut him off. She looked at me, troubled. “If you’re truly set on breaking off the engagement, we won’t stop you. But once it’s done, you’ll be on your own. You’ll have to survive in this world by yourself.”
She took my father’s arm, pulling him toward the door.
As she passed me, she said quietly, “Let’s go see Oliver.”
