"It was quite simple, really," Marcus chimed in, taking Eleanor by the shoulder and pulling her back up. "By blaming your 'abuse' for her mental break, Eleanor received full immunity and the court's sympathy. And as her court-appointed guardian and physician, I inherit all the remaining shelter rations and property assigned to your family unit.""You... killed my babies..." Arthur’s entire body shook violently. Not from the cold, but from an overwhelming, suffocating surge of rage. "You murdered three innocent children just to frame me?! Just to get rid of me?!""They were just collateral damage, Arthur," Marcus said casually.Eleanor raised her boot and pressed it hard onto Arthur’s chest, pushing the last remaining breath out of his lungs. "Die in the dark, Arthur. Nobody is coming to save you. Nobody mourns a child-killer."They turned and walked away, their laughter drifting through the freezing air until it was swallowed by the howling wind."NO!" Arthur screamed into the sky.Th

The afternoon sun barely warmed the living room. Arthur sat on the couch, his hands resting flat on his knees, watching the front door.He didn't have to wait long.The sharp chime of the doorbell rang out through the house. Before Arthur could even stand up, the door swung open. Eleanor had already rushed downstairs to unlock it.In walked Dr. Marcus Vance.He wore a dark tailored suit, his leather doctor’s bag held firmly in one hand. He looked polished, powerful, and completely in control—the exact picture of a high-society physician who was used to giving orders and having everyone obey them."Eleanor, are you alright?" Marcus asked immediately, his voice rich and full of fake concern. He took her by the arms, scanning her face. "I came as fast as I could after your call.""Marcus... thank God you're here," Eleanor whimpered, casting a fearful glance back toward the living room. "He’s gone crazy. I don't know what's wrong with him."Marcus patted her shoulder gently, his lips tigh

The house was completely silent, swallowed by the heavy dark of midnight.In the small basement office, the only light came from the dim glow of Arthur’s laptop screen. Outside the window, a quiet wind rustled the trees, but inside, Arthur’s mind was racing like a war engine.Spread across the wooden desk were notebooks, maps, and printed documents.Two months, Arthur thought, his eyes scanning the lists he had been furiously typing out. Only two months until the solar flares hit, the power grids collapse, and society falls apart.He muttered to himself under his breath as he checked off items on his screen. "Water purification tablets... five hundred cans of non-perishable food... solar generators... heavy duty locks for the basement door..."For the first time since he woke up in the past, Arthur felt a tiny flicker of focus. A small sense of relief. He had the knowledge of the future. He knew what was coming. He could secure a bunker, hoard supplies, and protect his life before the

The morning sun broke gently through the blinds, casting long, golden streaks across the kitchen floor.Arthur was already sitting at the head of the dining table, fully dressed, quietly reading the morning paper. He looked relaxed, his posture easy, his face completely free of the tension that had filled the house for days.In his former life, mornings like this had been entirely different. Arthur used to wake up before dawn every single day. He would scrub the kitchen, mop the floors, prepare an elaborate hot breakfast for Eleanor, and leave a loving note on her tray before rushing out the door to work twelve-hour shifts. He had slaved away just to earn a tiny smile from her.Now, he simply sat back, turning a page of the newspaper with a crisp, slow snap.A soft rustle came from the hallway stairs. Eleanor walked into the kitchen, wearing a silk robe.For the first time in weeks, she wasn't scowling. Her usual cold, sharp glare was gone, replaced by a strange, eager brightness. Her

Arthur chewed slowly, letting the sweet syrup and heavy oil coat his tongue. He swallowed with a deliberate, smooth gulp, his eyes fixed dead on Eleanor’s face.Eleanor stood frozen beside the table, her breath caught in her throat. She stared at his neck, watching his throat move as he swallowed every single drop."Mmm," Arthur said softly, setting his fork down with a quiet clatter. "That’s really quite good, Eleanor. The syrup has a very rich flavor today."Eleanor’s lips trembled. A sudden wave of intense panic and dark adrenaline hit her so hard her stomach churned. She grabbed her mouth with both hands, letting out a wet, choked gasp."Oh... oh God," Eleanor stammered, stepping backward away from the table. Her face had gone completely pale. "Arthur... I... I need to excuse myself."Arthur tilted his head, watching her with a cool, unblinking gaze. "Are you alright, sweetheart?""It’s... it’s the pregnancy hormones," Eleanor choked out, tears of wild anxiety springing to her eye