The Spare's Second Chance in Apocalypse-Chapter 89: Ch : The Meeting- Part 1

Selene raised an eyebrow as Ethan lounged on her bed, the book in his hand now resting on his lap.

The towel wrapped around her body felt suddenly too small, and she tightened her grip on it.

She had asked Ethan to turn around once already, but it seemed as if Ethan was going to ignore her. So she tried again, her voice louder this time.

"Ethan, turn around. I need to get dressed"

Selene said, her voice holding a dangerous edge.

Ethan leaned back, a playful smirk on his face.

"There’s no need to be shy, Selene. We’re all friends here, aren’t we?"

Her fingers twitched toward the metal tray on her bedside table—a simple, unassuming object, but heavy enough to serve as a decent makeshift weapon.

She picked it up, the metal cool against her palm, and leveled it at him like a sword.

"Out."

She said, the word sharp and uncompromising.

Ethan’s smirk faltered. He threw his hands up in mock surrender, eyes wide and exaggeratedly hurt.

"Whoa, whoa! No need for violence. I’m going!"

They both knew the tray wouldn’t so much as bruise him, but they played along, an unspoken agreement not to cross this line.

Ethan slid off the bed, taking deliberate, slow steps toward the door, peeking back over his shoulder as if expecting Selene to strike.

She rolled her eyes, keeping the tray raised until he slipped out and shut the door behind him. Only then did she breathe out, the tension draining from her shoulders.

’Finally, he’s gone. Thank god he did not comment on how red my face is. I felt like I was about to combust back there.’

It was tough to control herself, but Selene somehow managed to will her blush away and take a few deep breaths. freewebnøvel.com

She dressed quickly, pulling on a plain gray t-shirt and dark jeans. Her hair was still damp as she ran a brush through it, and her mind raced ahead to the plans for the day.

When she descended the stairs, Ethan was already seated at the dining table, his playful demeanor replaced by something more serious.

Zara and Orion sat beside him, mugs of tea in hand, their expressions curious.

Selene sat down, her fingers lacing together on the table.

"It’s time to open the support center. We need to get started before another organisation steps food into this field before us."

The room seemed to hold its breath.

Zara’s face split into a wide grin.

"Finally! I was wondering when you’d decide to do it."

Orion nodded, his usual quiet demeanor filled with a subtle approval.

"It’ll make a difference. A lot of people need a place like that."

Ethan leaned forward, his elbows on the table.

"When are you going to the government office?"

"This afternoon. I need to make sure those bureaucrats understand that this is non-negotiable. They might try to twist things or delay the process, but I’m not giving them the chance."

Selene replied.

Ethan’s expression shifted, concern clouding his features.

"Then I’m coming with you. I don’t feel comfortable sending you there alone."

"No."

Selene’s response was immediate, firm. She needed to stop depending on Ethan, so she wanted to do this alone.

He scowled.

"It’s not safe for you to go alone. You can’t protect yourself—"

"I’ll be fine. Besides, I need you elsewhere."

She interrupted. Selene had a plan prepared for the day.

"Where?"

"The dungeon. We need to keep the momentum going. The sooner we clear it, the better our chances of maintaining stability. The Plentiful Collections may have solved the food shortage, but that doesn’t mean we can relax."

She said.

Ethan’s fingers tightened around his mug.

"You’re putting the dungeon conquest above your own safety? Above your own life?"

Silence fell over the table. Zara’s expression shifted, her earlier excitement giving way to a weary resignation.

"Selene, you can’t keep treating your life like it’s expendable."

"I’m not—"

"Yes, you are. You say your life matters, but your actions say otherwise. You constantly put yourself at risk, and for what? To prove a point?"

Orion cut in, his voice uncharacteristically sharp.

Selene’s jaw tightened.

"I’m not trying to prove anything. I’m just doing what needs to be done."

Ethan stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. His expression was a storm—anger, fear, betrayal.

"I can’t listen to this."

He strode out of the room, his footsteps echoing down the hallway.

Zara let out a long breath, rubbing her temples.

"You know he’s right. You keep pushing yourself to the edge, and it’s not healthy."

Selene’s shoulders slumped.

"I just... I need to make sure things are secure. That I’m doing everything I can."

"And if you die in the process? What then? What good will you be to anyone if you’re gone?"

Orion asked quietly.

A heavy silence hung in the room.

"I won’t die,"

Selene whispered, more to herself than to them.

"But you don’t control everything. No one does. You need to start valuing your life as much as you value everyone else’s"

Zara said.

Selene’s lips pressed into a thin line.

"I’ll be careful. I promise."

"Promises don’t mean much if you don’t change. We care about you, Selene. Even if you don’t see it."

Orion said.

Her chest tightened. The walls she had built around herself felt fragile, the weight of their concern pressing against the cracks. She wasn’t used to this—to people caring, to people wanting her safe.

"I... I’ll try. I’ll try to do better."

She said finally.

But from the looks she was getting, it did not seem as the others believed her. In the end, Selene had no choice but to give in.

She had lost her family once, she did not want to argue and lose this one either.

’Fine! I will give in this time. But I need to make sure to hold my ground next time. I cannot let myself be dragged around like a burden forever. I need to start pulling my weight here.’