Chapter 2Global Freeze, I Lead My Boyfriend's Family to Survival

Now, remembering those times, I hated myself for being so clueless, for not seeing through their lies.

Last time, to make a good impression on his parents, I paid for their tickets and even drove to the bus station to pick them up. I didn’t want them to get lost, so I made sure I got all of their dietary restrictions and preferences.

I acted like a servant catering to a master, trying to make them happy. But that family of entitled jerks treated me like I was beneath them. They ate my food, used my things, and constantly criticized everything I did. If they were unhappy about something, they threw a fit.

When the cold wave hit, they kicked me out of my own house because I didn't have enough food prepared for five people, they told me I wasn't allowed back until I found more food. No matter how much I pounded on the door and screamed for help, they wouldn’t open it. Meanwhile, they were laughing and carrying on like nothing was wrong.

["It doesn't matter how much money she has, my son tricked her. You have good taste, she is dumb enough to give him money and sex. You should marry Megan."]

["If we let her join our family, she’ll probably give birth to a dumb grandkid."]

Outside, I shivered from the cold and from the anger that was building inside. Chad had been cheating on me with Megan all along. They just saw me as a walking ATM.

I wasn't going to run away this time. I had been betrayed and tortured by the people I trusted the most, and I had died of starvation and exposure. They were going to experience the same pain.

I forced myself to calm down and answered the phone, acting excited. ["Really? Your whole family is coming?"]

My hand was shaking, my whole body trembling with rage.

["Don't worry, baby. I'll make sure your parents are happy!"]

I heard faint praise in the background.

["My son is so awesome! Just like his old man! He can just pick up any girl and she'll provide for them."]

I pretended not to hear it and kept up the perfect girlfriend act. ["When are you guys coming? I can't wait to meet your parents for the first time."]

Chad, emboldened by his family's flattery and my obvious eagerness, became even more arrogant, sure that he had me completely under his thumb. ["We'll be there in nine days. You better be ready, you hear? My parents already think of you as their daughter-in-law."]

I agreed, sounding like a dutiful wife.

After hanging up, I grabbed a banana and pretended it was Chad. I chopped it into pieces. After releasing my anger, I mixed the chopped fruit with yogurt and lay down on the soft couch, watching trashy TV and eating.

In this familiar, safe place, I drifted off to sleep. It was quiet and peaceful.

I woke up when the sun filled the living room with golden light. The long-lost feeling of comfort made me wonder if the apocalypse had all been a nightmare.

But then I looked at my phone, and saw the disaster warnings. My pain had been real.

The cold wave was coming, bringing power outages, no running water, and freezing temperatures. This wasn't a joke.

Luckily, I had nine days to prepare before Chad and his family arrived.

This time, I wouldn't let them get away with anything.