Chapter 5

Roxanne's eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at the locked door. Her blood ran cold. Not only had he locked her up, but he hadn't even left her any fever medicine, not a sip of water, not a single bite of food. "C-Callum…" she called out hoarsely, pounding on the door with what little strength she had left. "Open the door… Medicine… Give me some medicine…" Pindrop silence stretched outside. Her pleas went unanswered. Through the door, she could faintly hear Zoey's soft laughter and Callum's occasional low replies. It sounded like they were watching television or chatting. Their carefree laughter and lighthearted voices highlighted her misery, making her feel even worse. Her heart felt as though it had been plunged into ice water, cold and aching. She sank to the floor, pressing her forehead against the cold wood. At last, her scalding tears spilled over, running down her fevered face, leaving her in disarray. Callum could be this cold simply because he didn't love her. The fever raged hard. Roxanne survived only because her body was strong enough and her will refused to break. Drifting in and out of consciousness, she endured the torment of shivering cold and burning fever until, somehow, she pulled through. … Several days later, when she finally managed to get out of bed in her weakened state, the lock on the door clicked open from the outside. Callum stood at the doorway, his face as cold and stern as ever, as if he hadn't been the one who had locked his feverish wife inside and ignored her for days. Noticing her pallid complexion, he said apathetically, "It looks like you've recovered. Next time, take better care of yourself. Stop falling ill so easily." Roxanne lowered her gaze and was just about to respond when Zoey walked over with a bright smile. "You're finally all better, Roxanne! There's a science fair at the Museum of Science and Technology today. I'll be giving a lecture and live demonstration on rocket fuel. "Why don't you come watch? You've been cooped up at home long enough. It'll be good for you to get some fresh air." Roxanne was about to turn her down, but Callum beat her to it. "Alright, let's all go together." Zoey seemed surprised. "Didn't you say you had an important meeting this morning?" His tone was calm and casual as he responded, "It's been delayed an hour. It's fine. I'll head over after I watch your demo." Roxanne felt as if her heart had been stabbed all over again. There was a time she had such a severe cold that it almost developed into pneumonia. Lying flat on the bed, she had been so weak she couldn't even get herself a glass of water. Roxanne had begged him to take a single day off to accompany her to the hospital, but he had refused outright, claiming he was too busy with military work. In the end, it was their kindhearted neighbor who had taken pity on her and had driven her to a clinic. Roxanne realized then that his principles and excuses crumbled when it came to someone he favored. In the end, the three of them went to the Museum of Science and Technology together. … Zoey, dressed in a white lab coat, stood at the center of a circle of curious students as she walked them through the fundamentals of rocket fuel and the proper procedures for handling it in the demonstration hall. Her words were crisp, her demeanor confident, exuding professionalism. Callum watched her from a short distance away, his gaze unwavering. Those eyes that were usually cold now shone with admiration and approval. Roxanne witnessed this scene from the sidelines. Her heart ached, yet she didn't utter a word. After a while, Callum's aide hurried over and whispered, "The meeting's about to start, Commander Moreno." Callum nodded, walked up to Zoey, and murmured something to her. She beamed at him and gestured for him not to worry. With that, he turned and strode away. After he left, she started preparing for the hands-on demonstration. Zoey picked up a measuring cup and started mixing the simulated fuel. Roxanne, who was standing on the fringe of the crowd, frowned. Noticing the amount she was pouring in, her heart lurched. That amount was way over the safety limit. Even though it was only simulated fuel, mixing it at this ratio could very well set off flames or even a small explosion. In a hall full of students, the consequences would be unthinkable. Instinctively, she lunged forward and seized Zoey's wrist. "Stop right there! You added the wrong amount. Something bad will happen if you don't stop right now!" Zoey was caught off guard. Then, her face twisted with anger at being interrupted. "Roxanne? What the hell are you on about? Do you really think buying a few books makes you an expert? "You never even finished elementary school. Who are you to tell me what to do? Move aside. Don't get in my way!" "I'm not making this up! This ratio is wrong; it's dangerous!" Roxanne pressed, attempting to stop her once more. "That's enough!" Zoey snapped, shoving Roxanne aside. Without a moment's hesitation, she poured the rest of the fuel in. "I told you to stay out of my way!" As soon as her words fell, a deafening explosion tore through the hall. In an instant, blinding flames and thick smoke burst from the stage. The shockwave hurled Zoey and Roxanne, who were closest to it, off their feet. Heat scorched Roxanne's skin. Her head struck something hard, and everything went dark as she passed out. Even though she was barely conscious, she could feel the heat closing in, acrid smoke filling her lungs. She forced her eyes open, realizing she was still lying at the scene of the explosion. All around her, flames raged, spreading and devouring everything in their path. Roxanne tried to push herself up, yet every inch of her body screamed in pain, and she couldn't muster any strength.