Chloe noticed how guarded Ethan still was around her. Deep down, she couldn't help but think: No wonder this guy's still living so comfortably in the apocalypse.
"Sit."
Ethan motioned to the sofa beside him. His pistol was already back in hand, not that she saw when it happened.
Chloe obeyed, quietly taking a seat two meters away, hands folded neatly in her lap—just like a well-behaved schoolgirl.
Ethan's voice was cold and even.
"You're here because you have some value to me. But make no mistake—this is my home. You being allowed in is a favor, not a right."
"You will follow every command I give. If you disobey or make one wrong move, I'll kick you out—no hesitation."
"And if you ever try anything against me? I'll kill you without mercy."
As she listened to his blunt words, Chloe grumbled inwardly: What a cold-blooded bastard.
Sure, she knew why he had to be like this. Still, if he spoke a little gentler, she might actually feel touched or grateful.
But she didn't know—Ethan used to be warm. All that warmth had been betrayed and chewed up like garbage.
He gestured to one of the bedrooms.
The apartment had three bedrooms and a living room. One was his master, the other two were secondary rooms.
"You'll stay in that one. And let me make this clear—every corner of this house has surveillance."
"That means I see everything. You have no privacy here."
"The door is reinforced just like the main one. Not something you can bust down. I hold the only key. You come and go when I say so."
"If you've got a problem with that," Ethan jerked his chin toward the front door, "then leave. Now."
Leave?
No way in hell.
Chloe would never walk away from a warm, safe haven like this. Not even if his rules were brutal.
She nodded. "Okay. I'll listen to everything you say."
Her submissive tone pleased Ethan.
Smart girl.
Much better than those pampered princess types like Natalie or Claire, always crying, always causing trouble.
No wonder they were already dead in this hellhole.
Ethan holstered his pistol, adjusted the backup on his hip, then finally let a touch of warmth into his voice.
"You're smart. Makes things easier for both of us."
"You've seen what it's like out there. Hell on earth. Sticking with me is your only shot at survival."
"Now, let me tell you a secret. Listen carefully."
Chloe blinked in surprise.
"A secret? You… you're really telling me one?"
Ethan? The ultra-cautious lone wolf? This had to be big.
He nodded.
"I'm only telling you this to make sure you stay loyal. And even if you do blab—honestly, I don't care. No one out there has the balls or power to come after me."
"Everyone who tried to kill me? They're already dead. You saw that with your own eyes."
Chloe nodded, watching him with rapt attention.
"The snowstorm? It wasn't just climate change. You saw the online reports—supernova explosion, gamma radiation bursts."
"Radiation like that can mutate human genes."
"So now… I have a power. A storage dimension."
He said it so casually, like it wasn't the most insane thing she'd ever heard.
"The reason I'm living well? It's because I've got a hidden space loaded with supplies."
"You've seen this place. It's secure, sure, but it's not that big. There's no way I could've stocked all this without something extra."
"If I die, this house becomes just another empty shell. The supplies go with me. You'll still starve, just slower."
Ethan didn't fully trust her—no matter how kind she seemed.
He didn't trust people. He trusted mutual interest.
Because human nature? That bends real easy under pressure.
He had to make sure she understood: her life was tied to his.
Then, to prove he wasn't bluffing, he pulled a long sandwich right out of thin air and tossed it to her.
Chloe's eyes widened. He really has powers…
She stared at the bread, gulping, not daring to take a bite.
Just this one sandwich could get someone killed outside.
And she hadn't eaten in two days.
"Eat. It's yours," Ethan said simply.
That was all the permission she needed.
She wolfed it down like a starving dog. Ethan, watching her devour it, poured a glass of water and handed it over before she choked.
Chloe was crying as she ate. A damn sandwich had her in tears.
She hadn't felt full in weeks.
Meanwhile, Ethan laid out the rules.
"I still don't fully trust you. So don't wait for instructions—just do what needs to be done."
"Clean the place. Cook the meals. Don't make me repeat myself."
"The plumbing's frozen. For toilet business, use special bags. Dump them through the waste chute by the window. You're in charge of that too."
"In other words… you're my maid. You earn your food and safety with labor. Got it?"
Chloe nodded rapidly, her cheeks full, eyes sparkling.
"I understand… M–Master."
That made Ethan raise an eyebrow. Well now, isn't she cooperative.
No wonder she became a lead surgeon so young.
Seeing her finally full and satisfied, he leaned back and grinned.
He tapped his chin, eyes slowly drifting to her pale neck.
"You know, there's a reason I chose you out of everyone in the building—even though we barely knew each other."
Chloe swallowed, lowered her gaze.
"Because I'm a doctor."
"You've got everything else, but even you can't stop yourself from getting sick or injured."
Ethan nodded.
"That's one reason. Preventative measures. Always good to have a medic around."
He reached under the table, pulled out half a bottle of wine, then conjured two wine glasses from his storage.
He poured them each a glass and pushed one toward her.
"But the second reason... You know what it is?"
Chloe accepted the wine, sipped it, and her eyes flickered with realization.
There's no such thing as a free lunch.
"Because I'm a woman. A beautiful woman."
She was self-aware, at least.
Chloe set the glass down, stood up—and untied her bathrobe.
Ethan didn't pretend to be a gentleman.
It had been over two weeks since the world ended.
And tonight?
Yeah. Tonight was just what he needed.