Chapter 2
Listening to those two cheating scumbags, I closed the door with an expressionless face.
Then I threw the lock.
Time was running out. In less than half an hour, the temperature would plummet to -22°F.
I had to move fast.
I turned and made my way to the corner of the living room.
There was a basement entrance that used to be just for wine storage.
About six months ago, I had it remodeled into a temperature-controlled wine cellar.
Back then, I just wanted somewhere to stash the expensive bottles my clients gifted me, and honestly, it made me feel a bit more secure.
I even had a separate ventilation system put in, plus a blast-proof steel door nearly four inches thick.
Who would've thought this cellar ended up being my savior in this frozen apocalypse.
I rushed into the bedroom, grabbed every single down jacket, thermal underwear, and cashmere blanket from the closet, and shoved them all into a big suitcase without a second thought.
Except for Dulce's clothes.
I didn't touch a single piece of his clothing, not even that cashmere coat he adored. I left it right where it was.
I even tossed it straight into the trash.
As I passed through the living room, I saw a half-empty pack of cigarettes and a fancy lighter sitting on the coffee table.
Those were Dulce's prized possessions.
I grabbed them without a second thought and tossed them through the gap in the window, right into the ankle-deep snow outside.
Once I was done, I dragged the heavy suitcase into the basement.
When I opened the heavy blast-proof door, a rush of cozy warmth washed over me.
Inside, the place was packed with all the calorie-loaded snacks and meals I'd been hoarding, telling everyone I was stocking up for a baby.
There were self-heating hot pots, canned goods, chocolate, and dozens of jugs of purified water.
I stepped into the basement and yanked the blast-proof door shut with all my strength.
The bolt locking into place made a sharp, clear sound.
But that wasn't enough.
I pulled out the portable welding machine I'd stashed away ages ago.
In my last life, Dulce forced me to pick up all sorts of appliance repair and welding skills, just because he was too cheap to hire a pro.
Who would've thought those skills would end up being my ticket to survival?
I slipped on my goggles, and with sparks flying everywhere, I welded the door shut, sealing myself in for real.
I only left behind a discreet vent, fitted with a heavy-duty triple-layer filter.
Dulce, Aylin... your apocalypse started now.
The basement stayed at a steady 72°F.
I slumped onto the soft bean bag chair, cradling a cup of freshly brewed coffee in my hands.
The digital thermometer on the wall showed the outside temperature plummeting at a terrifying rate.
14°F
−4°F
−31°F
Just twenty minutes later, Dulce's angry shouts erupted from upstairs.
Even with the thick floor and blast-proof door muffling his voice, that cocky, domineering tone still cut through.
"Esther! Where the hell are you? Where did you go?"
Heavy footsteps stomped overhead, rushing back and forth.
"No one's in the bedroom... No one's in the kitchen either..."
"Shit! Where are my clothes? Where's my down jacket? Why the hell are they all gone?"
Finally, Dulce realized something was seriously wrong. He started tearing through the place, flipping everything upside down in a frenzy.
"Esther! Get your ass out here! Where the hell did you hide my clothes?"
For the first time, there was a trace of panic in his voice.
By now, the temperature inside had probably already dropped below 32°F.
The heating, which used to keep things cozy in 158°F, stood no chance against the extreme cold.
The pipes were probably already starting to freeze and burst.
"Dulce... what's wrong?" Aylin's weak voice piped up.
She even followed Dulce back to my place.
Well, her tiny apartment next door was probably frozen solid by now.
"Aylin, why'd you come over? It's freezing in here. Go back and bundle up under your blankets."
Dulce's voice instantly turned soft and sweet.
Aylin whimpered, "I... my heat's completely out, and the pipes burst. I'm scared... Where's Esther? Is she here?"
"Did she leave because I took the heating pads? Is she mad at me?"
Aylin's voice was trembling with tears, every word carefully chosen to push Dulce's buttons.
"She wouldn't dare! That woman is just petty and dramatic. If she really left in this weather, freezing to death is her own fault!"
Dulce snapped, "Just wrap yourself in this blanket!"
I heard the sound of a blanket being dragged across the floor.
It was just that flimsy throw from the couch, the kind one use to cover legs. In -58°F, it might as well be a piece of tissue paper.
"Achoo!" Aylin sneezed. "Dulce, it's cold...It's really, really cold..."
"It's all Esther's fault! When she gets back, I'll break her legs myself!"
"If I don't, don't call me Dulce Galvan!"
I took my time sipping my coffee, the warmth sliding down my throat and settling in my stomach.
It felt so good. I let out a lazy sigh and closed my eyes, totally relaxed.
Break my legs?
Yeah, you really did in my last life.