Though he knew she might not want to hear it, Gordon Ford spoke up to explain. He couldn’t let it end as a misunderstanding!

They had been so close to getting together, but then this happened. He had been in a coma for almost half a year, receiving treatment overseas the entire time.

As soon as he woke up and heard from friends about what had recently happened to her, he immediately returned to the country. He just couldn’t get in touch with her.

「The next day, the blizzard arrived...」

At the words "car accident," Stella Sterling’s fingers twitched. Her eyes darted to Gordon Ford before she could even fully react.

Then, a smile of realization touched her lips. ’He’s talking about something that happened months ago. Since he’s standing here now, he must be fine.’

She calmed herself. Hearing his explanation stirred something in her, but it didn’t cause any major ripples in her heart.

To Gordon Ford, this had all happened just a few months ago. But for her, nearly eight years had passed.

The intense love she once felt had slowly faded away during her seven years of surviving the apocalypse.

’In those years, I was only concerned with survival; I couldn’t remember anything else. Now, listening to him, it feels like hearing a story about someone else’s life. It doesn’t move me at all.’

When she spoke, however, her tone was much softer than before. "I’m glad you’re okay. And congratulations on working for the military. You don’t have to worry about me. The average person wouldn’t dare mess with me now."

As she spoke, Stella Sterling showed him the large blade in her hand.

Her expression reminded Gordon Ford of the woman she used to be, no longer as guarded and cold as she was just moments ago. He chuckled softly, his voice as clear and gentle as a mountain spring.

"Yeah, very impressive!"

Gordon Ford praised her sincerely, his bright eyes fixed on her with a gentle warmth. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

After a long moment, he finally said, "Then... shall we—"

Stella Sterling looked up, her eyes crinkling in a smile. For a moment, she looked just like her old self, but the words she spoke made Gordon Ford’s heart sink. "Gordon, it’s all in the past."

This time, she hadn’t called him Mr. Ford, but her rejection was unmistakable.

’Seven or eight years have passed. Feelings fade.’

’Besides, this is the apocalypse, not like before. My only goal now is to stay alive. Anything else isn’t even a consideration.’

Gordon Ford’s hands stirred in his pockets. His mouth opened, as if he wanted to say something, but no words came out.

’It’s all in the past. Right. I had my reasons, but the fact remains that I vanished from her life for a very long time with no explanation.’

’A lot can happen in that amount of time. Besides, we weren’t a couple; she had no obligation to wait for me.’

’I made her sad, so it’s only natural she doesn’t like me anymore. I was forcing the issue!’

His hand went to his chest, and a pang of pain made his body recoil. The color drained from his face.

His fingers subconsciously clenched the fabric of his shirt. He stared blankly at Stella Sterling, his mouth opening and closing, but he couldn’t utter a single word.

After a long silence, he dropped his hand and put it back in his pocket. He gave a gentle laugh. "All right. It’s all in the past."

Stella Sterling didn’t speak. She turned and went inside her apartment for some unknown reason.

Gordon Ford simply stood at the door. Without Stella Sterling’s permission, he didn’t step inside, nor did he try to peer into the room.

He turned to look down the corridor, his expression blank, lost in thought.

Stella Sterling soon reemerged, holding a cup of warm water which she offered to him. "You look unwell. Drink this."

Gordon Ford turned around and took the water from Stella Sterling’s hand. "Thank you."

Noticing the water was warm, Gordon Ford’s eyes flickered, but he didn’t ask about it. He drank it down in one go, then handed the cup back to Stella Sterling.

He didn’t seem at all awkward about Stella Sterling’s earlier rejection, and his smile was still gentle.

"Are you sure you won’t move out of here with me? We don’t know how long this terrible weather will last. According to intel from my superiors, the situation is expected to get even worse. You don’t have basic supplies here, and it isn’t safe. Once things get desperate, there’s no telling what the people in this complex will do."

He paused and gave a soft chuckle. "Even if what was between us is over, we’ve known each other for years. If we can’t be lovers, we can still be friends. And as your friend, it’s only natural for me to look out for you. You don’t need to feel burdened by it."

’No matter what, I don’t feel right leaving her here alone. The best thing would be to take her with me.’

Stella Sterling seemed to relax a great deal as well. Though she didn’t reveal her true situation, she explained, "Don’t worry about me. I didn’t feel safe living here alone, so I had my place specially reinforced. This door is incredibly solid. As long as I don’t open it, no one can get in. So you don’t have to worry about my safety!"

Stella Sterling’s tone was firm. Seeing there was no hope of taking her with him, Gordon Ford’s gaze grew calm, and he remained silent.

’If I could, I would take her by force, but that’s impossible!’

Stella Sterling simply watched him with a calm expression.

At last, Gordon Ford sighed in defeat. "Well, take care of yourself. Don’t trust anyone easily. In this apocalypse, you can’t predict what people will do. Don’t be soft-hearted. Protecting yourself is the most important thing..."

He continued with his detailed warnings, and Stella Sterling listened patiently. Just as he finished and seemed about to add something else, she gently interrupted him. "Yes, I’ll remember it all. You’re working for the military, so you must have a mission, right? You should go."

Gordon Ford stopped and gave a wry laugh. "Right. I should go. You take care!"

"Okay."

Silence fell between them. Then, Gordon Ford turned to leave, heading up the stairs.

Stella Sterling lowered her head, waiting until he was out of sight before she closed the door, walked back into her living room, and sat down.

But only a moment later, a knock sounded on the door again, followed by Gordon Ford’s voice. "It’s me, Gordon!"

Stella Sterling frowned, then got up to open the door. She saw Gordon Ford standing there with a sack of rice on his shoulder. Next to him on the floor was another bag filled with some canned goods, bread, and a dozen or so bottles of water. He placed the things by Stella Sterling’s door without a word, then pulled something from inside his coat and pressed it into her hand. "Keep this safe. Protect yourself. You have to survive!"