The Frozen Apocalypse: Betrayal and Rebirth Chapter 6

On the evening of the 4th, seeing I still hadn't returned home, Rebecca just called once to ask. Derek hugged her and they started brazenly making out.

Her mother pulled her aside privately: "I think this Derek is handsome and diligent! You should have another son with him! Make Michael Mitchell leave with that burden with nothing!"

My palms turned red from clenching. No wonder Lily once said angrily: "My sister isn't even your real daughter—why are you so good to her? You should favor me!!"

Early on the 5th, snow began falling—not romantic snow, but pouring down like buckets, growing heavier and heavier.

School announced closures early. Lily and Tyler slept until late morning.

"If the snow never stops, does that mean no school forever, haha!" They said happily, "Let's go build a snowman!"

At this point, someone finally remembered me—because Derek's cooking demonstrations had consumed most of the refrigerator over the past two days.

Her mother said: "This much snow, we should still buy some groceries. Why hasn't Michael come back yet?"

Rebecca called me impatiently.

Besides Rebecca's questioning, Derek's voice came through: "Yeah, sigh, it's been days. Why hasn't your man come back? Forgot there are elders and kids to care for at home? I'd say Lily's dad is really neglecting his family this time, tsk tsk tsk!"

I rolled my eyes, pretending not to hear their complaints. "Honey, who's that on the phone? Don't tell me while I'm away, you found some shameless male escort service at home?"

"Honey, the train stopped because of heavy snow. Because of previous accidents, the railway department is very cautious. We can't get back temporarily. What should we do? Can't even catch a ride now? Oh no, my phone's almost dead too!"

I feigned an anxious voice, then blocked her number.

She could only go shopping with Derek bundled in coats.

At first, people occasionally posted photos of snow online.

"Ahh, first time seeing snow!"

"Auspicious snow means a good harvest year!"

"Building snowmen, sledding—this southern person experienced northern happiness!"

But soon they couldn't laugh anymore:

"How has it been snowing for days straight, getting colder and colder? I don't even have a down jacket. Recently in our city, even decade-old warehouse stock of down jackets sold out!"

The snow didn't stop. Temperatures plummeted. Starting the 15th, transportation completely paralyzed—accumulated snow couldn't be cleared. All industries stopped working. Only the Northeast, already used to cold winters, remained relatively normal.

My city had fallen into complete silence! Temperatures dropped to minus thirty degrees—unprecedented for this city.

Heating became less and less warm until completely cold.

I quickly set up a cold-weather tent over the bed for Emma and me, laid electric blankets, thick quilts, and sleeping bags.

Outdoor equipment was truly invaluable.

I even set up a separate tent, equipped with an electric blanket, for Emma to read and study inside.

On Rebecca's side, her mother started nagging: "Why haven't Michael and that brat come back? Better freeze to death outside—then all the houses will be yours! Then you better think of your nephew!"

Finally showing their true colors. My parents died early. When I married Rebecca, her mother cried saying she'd be like my real mother.

Now I realize Rebecca and they agreed to adopt Emma back then because of my sister's inheritance!!!

By late January...

Lily sent me voice messages every day: "Dad, where are you? Why aren't you back yet? I'm so hungry and cold!"

But I'd lost contact—sorry, dear daughter!

As snow continued, people rushed to buy supplies.

Rebecca and her mother returned disheveled each time with meager groceries. At first Derek went with them, but later he claimed he was afraid of people stealing things and stayed home with the two kids, never going out again.

He'd also secretly give Tyler food when people went out.

Meanwhile Lily's stomach growled. Whenever she approached the fridge, Derek would glare and say they had to save food or everyone would starve!

She wasn't picky now! She wolfed everything down at every meal, though there wasn't much.