Apocalypse Queen: My Space, My Rules Chapter 192: Lines That Shouldn't Be Crossed

"Ah!" Mariella hadn't expected him to actually admit it!

"You were too tempting. I couldn't help it," he said, completely serious.

Mariella gasped.

Good thing she still had the oxygen mask on, so it hid how red her face had turned.

This man was quiet and buttoned-up on the outside, but once he pushed back, it was impossible to handle.

"Honestly, I liked you better when you were all cold and untouchable!" she blurted out, then bolted like a guilty thief.

Seriously, why couldn't he just follow the script?

At this rate, she wouldn't dare tease him so casually anymore!

Watching Mariella dive back into the water like she was fleeing for her life, Chandler just stood there.

"Completely hopeless, but loves to stir trouble," he muttered.

...

Learning from last time, Mariella adjusted her pace. Every time she stored a tanker truck, she leaned against Chandler's chest to rest for a bit just to avoid passing out again.

Chandler stayed by her side the whole time. He was doing his job perfectly—guarding her, acting as backup, or even a human pillow when needed.

With his steady support, Mariella successfully collected all nine tanker trucks filled with aviation fuel into her storage space.

The two of them climbed back onto the speedboat, only removing their oxygen masks but keeping their wetsuits on.

Mariella checked her space using her mind, finally spotting the labeled capacity. Her eyes lit up. "Each truck holds fifty tons. So, if we have nine trucks, that's 450 tons of aviation fuel. Add the two tons we had before, we're set for life!"

Her planes and helicopters would never have to worry about fuel again.

Chandler handed her his canteen that was already unscrewed. His movements were smooth and natural by now.

But Mariella hesitated, a little awkward. "No need, I have drinks in my space."

She pulled out her favorite caramel latte and handed him an oatmilk latte.

Chandler didn't take it. Instead, he drank from his own canteen.

For some reason, Mariella suddenly offered him the one she had already taken a sip from. "Want this instead?"

Chandler paused, lips pressing together, but a faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

He took it.

Mariella inhaled sharply.

She didn't even know why she'd done that. But whenever he seemed unhappy, she just had the urge to cheer him up.

Sigh, this ridiculous soft spot of mine is acting up again...

Thankfully, Chandler wasn't like Harvey.

He was a decent man.

Even if he noticed something off about her, he wouldn't take advantage of it.

She quietly sipped the oatmilk latte.

After a moment, she looked up at him. "I get a little weird sometimes. Don't take it seriously."

He was her most important partner, and she didn't want anything to mess up their teamwork.

Romance was irrelevant. Fighting side by side and gathering supplies was what mattered.

Chandler's faint smile faded.

His dark eyes fixed on her, as if waiting for an explanation.

Mariella felt a little embarrassed. She tapped her head and gave a bitter smile. "My mom was hopeless when it came to love. She gave everything my grandfather owned to the wrong man, and nearly got me killed too.

"I guess I inherited some of that. I mistook a piece of trash for someone worth everything. I gave him my whole heart... and ended up losing my life. Even after getting a second chance, seeing through him, getting my revenge... I still relapse sometimes.

"The symptoms? Teasing good-looking guys, saying random things, and doing random stuff. Honestly, it's just talk. Don't take it seriously."

She had explained herself sincerely.

But she couldn't understand why it didn't seem to reach him.

He stayed silent, his expression dark, not saying another word.

Mariella didn't give up. On the way, she kept explaining. "Alright, no more pretending. I'll just tell you the truth. I've died once before."

She briefly told him about her past life—how Harvey had deceived and used her, leading to her death.

"People who've died once probably aren't completely normal. So if I act strange sometimes, just... don't take it to heart."

Chandler was stunned. "Is everything you tell me real?"

Mariella lowered her gaze and nodded.

Chandler clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white, veins rising on the back of his hands. "If Harvey remembers your storage ability, that would be bad."

Mariella thought for a moment, then said firmly, "I tested him. He only remembers fragments and nothing about my ability."

"And if he does remember?"

Mariella glanced at him. "Didn't you cut his tongue?"

Harvey had already been shot in the arm. After Chandler's beating, his wound had torn open again, so that arm was practically useless now.