Chapter 1 Return To 15 Days Before The Apocalypse

'Flu outbreaks have been frequent lately. Everyone is urged to take precautions—limit visits to crowded areas, skip unnecessary gatherings, and dress warmly…' "Theresa! Are you even paying attention?" Snapped out of her trance, Theresa flinched, her gaze darting around in disbelief at the scene before her as though it were something out of a dream. She was in a cramped living room, around 323 square feet with outdated decor. The space was filled with middle-aged men and women perched on an old couch. At the center of it all sat an elderly woman in her sixties or seventies, her gray hair disheveled and her round face heavy with years. She was glaring daggers at Theresa, and her plump, sagging cheeks trembled with visible irritation. Theresa froze as she took in the chaotic scene unfolding before her eyes. Wasn't this the exact moment, two weeks before the apocalypse, when my so-called "loving grandmother," "caring father," and "devoted stepmother" had cornered me, trying to strong-arm me into giving up my home? Yet I had just been battling a sea of zombies at the Eastern Camp. How could I be back here again? "Theresa! Ever since your mother passed, your stepmother has treated you like her own flesh and blood. Everyone praises her kindness! And now your brother's getting married and needs your house—what's the big deal? Stop being so miserly! You're nothing but an ungrateful, thankless brat!" the elderly woman spat. "Mom, Theresa isn't ungrateful," chimed in the overweight woman beside her, putting on an exaggerated show of diplomacy. "She'll understand and appreciate everything we've done for her." The elderly woman let out a sharp, dismissive snort. "Enough! Clear out of the house already! Your brother says it's been rented out too long, and the furniture is falling apart. How can he get married in a place like that? You'll cover the new furniture costs too—he's your elder brother, after all! Isn't it your duty as his sister to help with the wedding?" Standing amidst the crowd, Theresa suddenly burst into laughter, her voice sharp and bitter. They wanted my house—and on top of that, they expected me to pay for brand-new furniture? The sheer absurdity of it all was almost too much to believe. What was even more laughable, though, was the memory that flashed through her mind—because, in her previous life, she had actually gone along with this insanity! Back then, her mother had passed away in a car accident when she was just fourteen. Not long after, her father remarried, bringing a stepson into the family. Her stepmother, Lila Warren, had perfected the art of putting on a show, treating her with a facade of care and attention that seemed almost flawless. At that time, Theresa had been in the throes of teenage rebellion, lashing out at everyone like a cornered animal. Yet, beneath that prickly exterior, she had craved the comfort and connection of family, even if she refused to admit it. Lila had played her role brilliantly. Her gentle demeanor and feigned understanding had completely disarmed Theresa. She had pretended to support Theresa unconditionally, never scolding her for her behavior, and it worked—Theresa fell for the act. For a while, she genuinely believed Lila cared for her, and she even saw her as a maternal figure. She gave them everything they wanted without question, thinking it was her way of earning love. Even the house her late mother had left her—the only thing tying her to the past—was handed over with barely a second thought. However, when the apocalypse struck, their true colors were laid bare. Time and again, they cast her aside without hesitation. And when the opportunity to board the rescue vehicle came, they didn't hesitate to shove her out of the way, using her as a stepping stone for their own survival. That was when Theresa finally grasped the meaning of false affection. So, this was what they called family? From the very beginning, she had only been a tool for them to use—a piece of meat on their table, a source of sustenance to be drained dry. The moment she ceased to be useful, they discarded her without a second thought. None of them had ever seen me as family. Not in any meaningful way! She burned with regret, the urge to reach back through time and slap the naive, foolish version of herself from that time—her trust and love wasted on people who never cared! With a loud crash, she swept several bags of cheap fruit from the old coffee table into the trash can and planted herself firmly in front of them. "What the hell are you doing, Theresa? Those apples were imported, specially picked out by my mom because she knows you love them. How could you throw them away like that?" The young man, who had been absorbed in his phone on the small couch, immediately put it down and shot her an angry look. She sneered. I love apples? It was news to her. Without a hint of warmth, she fixed her gaze on her so-called brother. "And you think you have any right to talk to me about the house?" Her eyes, cold and filled with venom, locked onto his, and for some reason, Oliver felt a shiver run down his spine. He couldn't bring himself to meet her gaze. Those eyes weren't just cold—they were the eyes of someone who had fought tooth and nail for survival in the apocalypse, who had been betrayed and left to fight for survival for ten long years. They were eyes that carried the weight of a killer's resolve! Oliver immediately shrank back, his bravado crumbling. At that moment, Lila, her stepmother, quickly stepped in to smooth things over. "Theresa, what's going on with you? Are you feeling unwell? We can visit another time. I know you're upset, but remember, Oliver is your brother, not some stranger! His wife's family is asking for a house in the city center, and nowadays, even with money, it's nearly impossible to buy one there—you have to draw lots!" With a dramatic sigh, she added, "I'm asking you as a mother. Please help your only brother. When you get married, we'll find a way to get you a house too! We'll take care of it for you..." "Take care of it?!" Before Theresa could respond, her father, who had been silent up until now, spoke up with a thunderous voice. His glare was filled with anger. "Do you honestly believe this house is yours? What use does a young girl have for a house like this? It's meant for your brother! When you marry, your husband will be the one to buy you a place. Why are you even arguing with your brother about it?" Upon hearing his words, Theresa felt no more anger, only a cold sense of indifference. In her past life, she had wondered why her father treated her so coldly while showering his stepson with affection. Now, the answer was painfully clear—Oliver was his biological son, his true heir! Prior to marrying her mother, he had been wed to Lila back in his hometown, where they had a son together. To him, she was nothing but an inconvenience. And after the apocalypse, his true nature only became even more repulsive! Theresa lifted two fingers with a chilling expression. "Two million." The room fell silent with everyone caught off guard and confused. "Theresa, what are you talking about?" She coldly responded, "This house was my mother's property before marriage, and it was legally transferred to me afterward. The deed is in my name. If you want it, you'll have to pay. I'm even offering a discount—two million." They were shocked. "You're selling the house to us? Are you serious? We don't have that kind of money!" Without missing a beat, she raised her wrist, showing her digital watch. "You have five seconds to decide. If you refuse, I'll find another buyer. Five." "Theresa, we're your elders! How can you talk about money with us?" her grandmother snapped, furious. "Four," came Theresa's unyielding voice. "You ungrateful brat! I'll give you a beating!" Theresa looked cold at the elderly woman, then continued her countdown. "Three, two…" Her father jumped up, his fury boiling over as he attempted to strike her. "How dare you!" With a swift motion, she delivered a swift kick, sending his chair flying and watching as he tumbled to the floor in a heap. Her gaze remained icy as she uttered a single word, "One." "Theresa, you've lost your mind! How dare you lay a hand on your father!" Unmoved by their outrage, she reached into her pocket, pulled out her phone, and dialed without a second thought, ignoring the chaos. "Mr. Angus, I'm putting the house up for sale. Two million." The property had been under the management of an agency for renting until she turned eighteen, at which point she could finally take possession of the keys. That was the only reason the house had remained in her name all this time. "You want to take it off my hands?" She flashed a sly smile as she glanced in her family's direction. "Alright, then I'll..." "Enough, we agree!" Lila, seeing the situation slipping through her fingers, rushed to say. "Theresa, just sell it to us!" This is no joke! The house was valued at three million in the market! Getting it for just two million? That is a steal! With all the limitations on new homes in the city—needing proof of residency and drawing lots—this property was a hot commodity! Even though things weren't unfolding exactly as they had hoped, the key was ensuring no one else snatched up the deal! At that price, we could easily flip it and pocket a tidy profit! We have to make the deal now! Theresa's lips curled slightly as she watched Lila's panicked agreement. With a casual flick of her finger, she ended the call. Perfect. I'd let them have it. Sure, two million wasn't the ideal price—she'd take a bit of a hit—but selling quickly mattered more than squeezing out every penny. Time was a luxury she couldn't afford to waste, and right now, she needed both time and cash. The real advantage, however, was what came next—once they bought the house, they'd be flat broke. The deal would leave them completely drained. She had calculated everything. Their entire fortune amounted to two million, nothing more. And with the apocalypse drawing nearer—and the government issuing warnings to stockpile supplies during the final three days before it hit—she wondered how they could possibly prepare for the storm when their pockets were empty. Let them figure that out. She'd already made her move. … Beep! 'Your account has been credited with two million.' Thirty minutes later, Theresa stood at the bank counter, watching as her account balance reflected the freshly deposited two million. Lila and her crew, though visibly displeased, had no choice but to hand over the money. Their reluctance was palpable, but their hands were tied. Mr. Angus' incessant calls had been bombarding Theresa's phone the entire time. Though clearly frustrated, Lila dared not voice her annoyance, terrified that Theresa might turn around and finalize the deal with another buyer. "The Housing Department is closed for the holidays. Once they reopen, I'll go with you to process the ownership transfer," Theresa said nonchalantly, her expression calm but unreadable. Lila's fox-like eyes immediately narrowed into a sugary smile, her tone dripping with false warmth. "Oh, no need to rush, Theresa! We trust you completely! Whenever it's convenient for you. We'll let you know once we're ready to finalize everything." Her demeanor radiated an air of generosity, but Theresa could see right through the facade. This wasn't trust—it was vigilance. Lila wasn't worried about Theresa's integrity—it aimed to keep her soon-to-be daughter-in-law from getting her name on the deed! For now, with the property still under Theresa's name, Lila could use it as leverage, delaying the transfer while pretending everything was under control! Theresa's smile grew sharper, a flicker of amusement dancing in her eyes. Could this get any better? Just then, Oliver, puffed up with self-importance, slammed his opportunity to assert dominance into the air. "Theresa! Now that we've paid for the house, pack your stuff and get out! I don't want to see a single piece of your worthless trash cluttering this place. None of it is worth keeping! I'm bringing my wife over later to redecorate and pick out proper furniture!" His tone had transformed, dripping with entitlement, as if handing over money had crowned him king. "Oliver," Lila interjected, feigning concern, "don't be so cruel to your sister. She'll need some time to sort herself out. You know how thoughtful she is—she might even give you a little extra for storage and help replace the furniture. As her older brother, you should show some understanding." He snapped, his face contorted with disdain. "Mom, stop coddling her! That money-grubbing leech doesn't deserve an ounce of kindness! She needs to clear out immediately! And that filthy mutt she keeps in her room? Make sure she takes it with her. If it's still here when I get back, I'll turn it into stew myself!" Filthy mutt… The insult struck Theresa like a thunderclap, her mind freezing for a split second before a realization slammed into her. Her breath hitched. Could it be true? Could my Summer still be alive? Abandoning all pretense of dealing with those vile people, she turned on her heel and dashed toward her house, her pulse pounding in her ears. Throwing open her bedroom door, she froze. There, pacing silently in the confined space, was a sleek Generic shepherd. It leaped into her arms with unrestrained joy when it saw her. Woof! Woof! "Summer!" Tears threatened to spill as she dropped to her knees and clutched the dog tightly, her voice breaking with emotion. Her Summer was alive! This wasn't just any dog—it was her most precious companion. A retired military dog, Summer had been a birthday gift from her mother when she was ten years old. Intelligent, loyal, and deeply attuned to her emotions, the dog had been her anchor after her mother's untimely death, standing by her side through every storm. And now, against all odds, it was still here, her steadfast protector in a world gone mad. Her stepmother's family had always harbored a disdain for Summer. On more than one occasion, they tried to abandon the dog, yet no matter how far they went, Summer always managed to return home. Eventually, they attempted to give it away entirely. Theresa, however, refused to back down. She fought fiercely to keep her loyal companion, even at the cost of fracturing her already strained relationships. In the end, Lila, concerned about maintaining her image as a stepmother, begrudgingly allowed Summer to stay. But the dog's life was confined to Theresa's room, a prisoner within its own home. It wasn't until she moved into the house her mother had left her that Summer finally experienced some freedom. However, that freedom was short-lived. Whenever Oliver and his family showed up, Summer was immediately locked away again, hidden from their cruel eyes. In her past life, the memory of what happened to Summer haunted her. Not long after the apocalypse began, as resources dwindled and Summer's age began to show, Oliver's family seized the chance to commit an unthinkable act. While Theresa was out scavenging for food, they slaughtered and ate the dog! The guilt of failing to protect her most loyal companion became a weight she carried every day. It was a wound that never healed, a reminder of a betrayal she could never forgive. "Summer." Woof woof! Summer gently nuzzled Theresa's hand, its tail wagging softly. "Don't worry, Summer. I promise you, no one will ever hurt you again in this lifetime!" Woof woof woof! Summer barked as if understanding every word. Once she had made sure Summer was comfortable, she turned her attention to packing. The house had been rented out for years, and its condition had deteriorated over time. Yet, the furniture—each piece carefully chosen by her mother—remained. Those items had been bought at a high price, and during her mother's life, this was their home. Though the things held little practical value now, they held a treasure trove of memories. As she stood there, preparing to leave, a deep sense of nostalgia washed over her. The thought of parting from this place filled her with a quiet sorrow. At that moment, a voice echoed in her mind. 'Ding! Ultimate Leader System activated! For every item worth over a thousand you carry within the next hour, you'll receive a reward of 100 cubic feet of domain!' Theresa froze in disbelief. The moment had arrived—my ability! 'Countdown—59 minutes and 59 seconds remaining!' In awe, she watched as the words settled in her mind. On a whim, she grabbed the phone from the table and tested it. 'Ding! Phone detected, worth 4999! Reward! 400 cubic feet!' In an instant, she saw a vast, empty space materialize in her mind, exactly 400 cubic feet in size. The phone in her hand blinked out of existence, reappearing within that very space. It's happening. The domain... is real!