Chapter 3The Scorch: He Gave His Ticket to a Student and Watched His World Burn

A massive weight lifted from my shoulders.

But that night, the bedroom door never opened again.

David stayed in the living room, talking with Chloe late into the night about the challenges of the Scorch. I could already imagine his excuses if I were to walk out there. Academic discussion. A mentor-mentee exchange.

I'd heard it all before. It was his tired, old refrain.

I no longer had the energy to push open that door.

What was the point? In this heat, every burst of anger felt like it was burning a hole through my chest. I needed to conserve my strength. For my mother. For our escape.

Besides, in the face of survival, love and betrayal suddenly seemed so trivial.

With that thought, I finally drifted into a deep sleep.

To my surprise, however, Chloe was still there the next morning.

She sat at our dining table, brazenly using my plate for her breakfast.

When she saw me, she gave a timid little bow, her manners impeccable. "Good morning, Mrs. Blackwood. My AC is still out… I hope you don't mind me being here. I apologize for the intrusion."

I gave her a sarcastic smile. The blanket on the sofa was still unfolded.

They weren't even going to bother with an explanation. Or rather, they were too lazy to invent one for me.

"June, come eat," David said. He had actually cooked, playing the part of the perfect, caring husband for Chloe's benefit.

As Chloe picked up her knife and fork, my eyes locked onto the plate in front of her.

We had made it ourselves at a pottery class, five years ago, for our anniversary. Etched into the bottom, almost invisible, was the promise of a lifetime he had sworn to me when we were young. That plate was a symbol of our love.

And now, it was being used by another woman.

Noticing my stare, David said casually, "Oh, the girl likes it. Just let her use it."

My appetite vanished. I grabbed my car keys, intending to go pick up my mother.

David shot up and grabbed my arm, his voice sharp. "Where are you going? It's 150 degrees out there. If you want to throw a tantrum, don't risk your life to do it."

Chloe's eyes welled up with tears. "She's right, Mrs. Blackwood. The asphalt is melting. It's dangerous even in a car…"

I let out a heavy breath. "I'm getting my mother. Let go of me!"

In the scuffle, my arm knocked against the table. The plate in front of Chloe slid to the floor.

It shattered into a thousand pieces, taking the vow etched into its surface with it.

David froze, a strange tightness seizing his chest.

I shoved him away and walked out into the oppressive, searing heat.

The streets were dead. The stray cats and dogs that once roamed the neighborhood were long gone. A blanket of silence hung over the world.

I rushed to my mother's small house in the countryside. Any later, and her old air conditioner would surely fail.

But when we returned home, I was met with a scrutinizing glare.

David quickly masked his expression, taking my mother's luggage with a respectful nod. "Mrs. Lane."

My mother smiled warmly at him.

After she was settled, David pulled me aside.

His face was a thundercloud. "June, I need to remind you of something. This is an apocalypse. Resources are scarce. Our food supply won't last forever with an extra person."

His voice was low, but every word was a blow. "Four mouths to feed is… a lot."

I stared at him, unable to believe what I was hearing.

He… how could he? He was complaining that my mother was a burden.

Disappointment twisted into a sharp pain in my chest. "David, she's my MOTHER! She's the woman who sponsored you for six years, who treated you like a son!" My voice cracked. "How could you say something so heartless?"

He adjusted his glasses, his face a mask of cold logic.

"June, I've calculated every single ration. I'm just stating a fact."

There it was again. That infuriatingly calm, rational expression. My anger felt like punching a pillow.

But I couldn't take it anymore.

"David! Then tell Chloe to leave! Why is my mother the 'extra' one? Have you lost your conscience?!"

At the mention of Chloe, his voice suddenly rose.

"THAT'S WHY I'M TRYING TO DISCUSS IT WITH YOU!"

He thrust a piece of paper at me—a schedule.

"Smaller meals, stretched out over the next three days. After Chloe and I leave, you and your mother can figure out the rest on your own."

I didn't even look at it. I snatched the paper from his hand and ripped it to shreds.

In the other room, my mother was looking at Chloe with a puzzled expression.

"Honey," she asked me, her voice laced with uncertainty. "Who is this young lady?"

David’s posture tensed. He instinctively moved to stand slightly in front of Chloe, a silent, protective gesture.

I watched them, a profound weariness settling over me.

To me, David had always been a distant star—cold, remote, and untouchable. But now I saw the truth. His light just wasn't meant to shine on me.

Not wanting to worry my mother, I forced a smile.

"Mom, she's one of David's students."

My mother visibly relaxed, her face breaking into a relieved grin.

"Oh, what a lovely girl." She looked from me to David. "So, in three days, we're all leaving together, right?"

Her question, so innocent, hung in the air. I saw David's expression freeze for a fraction of a second.

I answered for him. "Mom, go pack your things. Don't bring too much. Ten kilograms per person is the limit."

My mother beamed, patting my hand.

"Alright, alright. You should get packing too, dear. I'm so glad we can all go together. That's just wonderful."

"Yeah," I mumbled, turning toward my bedroom. David followed me in, closing the door heavily behind us.

He ran a hand through his hair in frustration.

"Did you tell your mother she's coming with us? How am I supposed to solve that, June? Where do you expect me to get two more tickets?"

His voice rose. "You're lying to her, you know that."

I just smiled. It wasn't a lie.

We were leaving. And after that, we would have nothing more to do with him.