Apocalypse Hoarding: I Rise to Godhood in New York

From Evelyn’s Perspective A bone-chilling cold crept up my spine. The cold air from the hotel suite’s air conditioner, mixed with the noise of New York City streets outside, pounded at my temples. I snapped my eyes open. The light from the crystal chandelier stung, making me squint. The air was thick with Karen’s favorite woody scent — the birthday present I had saved up for desperately in my past life, the very fragrance he lit when he brought Sky into this suite. “Evelyn, why are you zoning out?” A familiar yet fake voice sounded beside me. I turned stiffly and saw Karen in a tailored suit, sitting on the sofa with a cigar between his fingers, wearing the gentle smile I had been obsessed with for three whole years. Beside him, Sky wore my cream-white dress, holding a glass of red wine, her eyes glinting with quiet triumph as she stole glances at me. My heart was squeezed tight by an icy hand. Memories from my previous life flooded in like a tidal wave: acid rain pouring down, me tied to the top of an abandoned skyscraper by Karen and Sky. They stole the space ring left by my parents, watching as the acid rain burned me beyond recognition, laughing as they said, “Evelyn, your money, your ring, and your life — they’re all ours.” I watched Black Bean, my pet, torn to bloody pieces and eaten by them. I watched the supplies I had hoarded with all my heart get plundered clean… “Evelyn?” Karen called again, impatience creeping into his tone. “Have you decided what I asked? Transfer all the assets your parents left you into my name. When we marry, I’ll treat you well.” I clenched my palms until my nails dug into my flesh. The pain jolted me fully awake — I wasn’t dreaming. I had been **reborn**. Reborn one month before the apocalypse. Reborn on the very day Karen tricked me into transferring my assets. Reborn before any of the tragedies had happened. I swallowed the surging hatred in my eyes and forced a docile smile. I walked over and sat on his lap, my fingers brushing lightly across his chest, my voice soft as water. “Karen, of course I trust you. It’s just… those assets are my parents’ last legacy. I need time to sort them out. And I’m a little worried — what if…” Before I could finish, Sky leaned in and cut me off with a laugh. “Evelyn, you’re just being too careful. Karen loves you so much — why would he lie to you? Besides, you’re getting married soon. What’s yours is his anyway.” Her hand rested on my shoulder. The coldness of her fingertips made my stomach churn. I remembered all too clearly: those were the hands that had pinned me down in my past life, stopping me from struggling while the acid rain ate away at my body. Karen put his arm around my waist, his grip tightening unconsciously, greed flashing in his eyes. “Baby, I know you care about your parents’ things, but I’m having trouble with an investment. I need the money urgently. Once I’m back on my feet, I’ll pay you double, okay?” His lies were seamless. In my past life, I would have agreed without hesitation. Now, I only felt disgusted to my core. I sneered inwardly, but kept my gentle expression. “Alright, I promise. But I need you to come to the bank with me to do the transfer in person. And I want to keep some money to stock up on supplies. The weather’s been strange lately — I have a feeling something bad is going to happen.” Karen’s eyes flickered. He clearly hadn’t expected me to make such requests. He glanced at Sky, who immediately laughed and smoothed things over. “Stock up? Evelyn, aren’t you being too sensitive? New York is perfectly safe. What could possibly happen? And with Karen here, would he ever let anything bad happen to you?” “Better safe than sorry,” I said, lowering my gaze to hide the coldness beneath. “Just let me be silly, okay?” I pretended to be weak. I knew exactly what Karen wanted — he needed me to hand over my assets willingly, so he wouldn’t dare anger me. Sure enough, Karen ruffled my hair and agreed with a smile. “Fine, whatever you say. I’ll go to the bank with you tomorrow. Buy whatever you want.” As soon as Karen and Sky left, I slammed the door shut. The docile look on my face vanished instantly, replaced by bone-deep cold and hatred. I walked to the window and watched their retreating figures below. Sky linked her arm through Karen’s, laughing wildly, while he looked down at her with a tenderness I had never once received. I unlocked my phone and checked my bank balance. The assets my parents left behind were worth over a hundred million dollars, plus several luxury apartments downtown and a hidden warehouse. In my past life, I had been foolish enough to fall for Karen’s sweet talk. I not only gave him everything, but also told him where the warehouse was — letting him seize my first batch of supplies easily when the apocalypse came. But this time, smoothly transferring my assets and stocking up wouldn’t be easy. Karen had agreed to go to the bank with me, but he would definitely watch me closely. If he noticed anything off, he would stop me at once. Sky wouldn’t let it go either. She had always envied everything I owned and would watch my every move, even sabotage me secretly. Most importantly, there was only **one month** left until the acid rain apocalypse arrived. I had to transfer my assets, hoard supplies like crazy, and fortify a safe shelter — time was so tight it felt almost impossible. I walked to the nightstand and opened the drawer. Inside lay the ruby necklace and military lighter my parents had left me — the keys to activating the space. In my past life, I only learned on my deathbed that the necklace and the ring I’d always worn together unlocked a storage space. I picked up the necklace and put it on. The cold gem pressed against my skin, as if I could feel my parents’ warmth, filling me with endless strength. “This time, I will not repeat the same mistakes,” I whispered to my reflection in the mirror, my eyes firm. “Karen, Sky… you owe me. You owe Black Bean. You owe my parents. And I will make you pay it all back — with interest.”