Three months.
That was all the time I had before the world collapsed into chaos.
And this time, I would be ready.
Kevin arrived at the office with his usual charming smile, holding a cup of coffee for me.
"Morning, Mia," he said softly. "You worked late again, didn't you? You should take care of yourself."
His voice was gentle. His eyes looked loving.
But now I could see it clearly.
Calculation.
Kevin didn't love me.
He loved power.
He loved money.
He loved the future position he believed he could secure by staying by my side.
Our company specialized in constructing high-rise buildings, luxury hotels, and disaster-resistant homes across the country.
My father, the chairman, built it from nothing. It was known for its strength, innovation, and integrity.
And Kevin wanted it.
Only a few people knew the truth—that I was the chairman's daughter. I chose to start from the bottom, working harder than anyone else to prove I deserved my place.
No special treatment.
No privileges.
Except Kevin knew.
And he hated it.
He hated that I was smarter in meetings.
He hated that I solved engineering problems faster.
He hated that even without revealing my identity, I was being noticed by executives.
But he smiled anyway.
"I'm proud of you," he would say.
Liar.
This time, I smiled back.
"Kevin," I said sweetly, touching his arm, "after work, let's have dinner. I miss spending time with you."
His eyes flickered with satisfaction.
Of course he did.
The more I loved him, the easier it would be for him to manipulate me—or so he thought.
Let him believe that.
At night, while Kevin thought I was resting, I began my real work.
Preparation.
I started studying global news patterns, tracking strange reports of violent outbreaks overseas. I remembered the timeline from my previous life—the virus would first appear as "mass hysteria" and "drug-related violence."
Within weeks, cities would fall.
I secretly redirected some company research funds into developing stronger modular housing systems—homes reinforced with steel cores and solar-powered backup systems.
I pitched it as a "disaster-resilient housing innovation project."
My father approved it, impressed.
He didn't know I was designing future zombie-proof shelters.
I also quietly began purchasing supplies—medical kits, water filtration systems, long-lasting food storage.
I rented a warehouse under a private name.
No one questioned it.
I even enrolled in self-defense classes.
The first time I held a weapon again, my hands trembled.
But I forced myself to remember the pain of being bitten.
Never again.
Meanwhile, Kevin grew more ambitious.
One evening, I overheard him talking on the phone in the parking garage.
"She trusts me completely," he said, his tone cold. "Once I marry her and secure a higher executive position, the company will practically be mine. The chairman is getting older anyway."
My blood ran cold.
He continued.
"Mia works too hard. It's annoying. But that's fine—I'll let her build the empire. I'll enjoy it later."
I stepped back into the shadows before he saw me.
So that was his plan.
Marriage.
Inheritance.
Control.
In my previous life, I would have confronted him.
This time?
I smiled the next day and wrapped my arms around him.
"Kevin," I whispered, "I've been thinking about our future."
His eyes sparkled with greed.
Perfect.
Two can play this game.
While he planned to use me for wealth…
I would use him as bait.
In three months, when the outbreak began, the city would descend into chaos.
Panic.
Riots.
Death.
And Kevin?
He would once again choose himself over everyone else.
But this time, I would be ready.
I would secure my parents in a hidden reinforced facility.
I would activate the emergency housing project and turn it into a survival fortress.
And Kevin..
When the world starts burning…
Let's see how well you survive without me.