Swapped for His True Love in the Flaming Apocalypse

Before the apocalypse, I had been a core researcher at the institute. I gave up my spot on Level One for Rhett, choosing to follow him to Level Two instead.

Never mind that the Vale family had funded the underground city's construction. Without me, Rhett wouldn't have had the standing to set foot even in Level Three.

But in the end, talent was the only currency that still mattered down here.

On the second night before I was due to leave, I stayed up past midnight sorting through my files. I was nearly ready to give in to sleep when sounds drifted through the wall and killed it entirely.

My fingers went still. I set down what I was holding and made myself walk out of the study.

What was coming from the bedroom left little to the imagination. I didn't open the door. I didn't need to.

Then Rhett's voice, low and rough, came through the wall clearly enough. "Anna, will you give me a child?"

My hand froze on the doorframe.

After our daughter died, the underground city had issued us a single reproductive permit, part of the program to sustain the population.

Rhett had turned it down himself. He said our daughter, Ophelia, was the only child he ever wanted. He said he would never have another.

Apparently, that wasn't quite the truth. He hadn't wanted another child with me. He had been saving that permit for Anna.

He was even taking away my right to become a mother again.

I walked back to the study in a daze and sat down. Whatever had remained of my feelings for Rhett dissolved quietly and completely, and I didn't try to hold onto any of it.

When morning came, Anna appeared in the doorway with a sheepish expression. "Nora, I hope we didn't keep you up last night."

"Get out."

Her eyes went red immediately. "I didn't mean to make noise, I swear. I could sing something for you if you want. I'm really good at…"

I didn't say another word. I just walked her out by the shoulders. She stumbled a little as I pushed her through the door, and a photograph slipped out of her pocket and fell to the floor.

I picked it up. It was a signed photo, and something about the face tugged at my memory. Before the apocalypse, Anna had been a singer.

She brightened immediately. "Do you want me to sign one for you too? Rhett used to come to all my shows back then."

I frowned and turned the photo over. On the back was a picture of Anna and Rhett together. A date was printed in the corner.

March 21, 2060.

The world tilted. That was the day the apocalypse hit, the day we fled, and the day Ophelia fell into the fissure and never came back up.

So they had known each other all along. Rhett hadn't been held up at work that day. He had been with Anna, and Ophelia had spent her last moments waiting for him to come.

In the end, the fissure closed over her. There was a brief red mist, and then silence.

I pressed a hand to my chest. The pain was bad enough that breathing took effort.

The door swung open. Rhett stepped in without looking at me. "Anna, time for your medication."

I raised my head and stared at him. He glanced at me briefly, unimpressed. "What are you looking at? What is it this time?"

I stood slowly. When I spoke, my voice came out very quiet. "What were you doing the day our daughter died?"

He set down the glass of water. "I…"

I crossed the room and slapped him. Then I held the photograph up in front of his face. "You told me you were working. So tell me what this is."

His eyes locked onto the photo and didn't move. "Nora, just let me explain. I only—"

Anna burst into tears from across the room. "Please, please don't fight. I can't stand it. I'm scared. I'm so scared…"

She cried until she hyperventilated and went limp. Rhett stopped mid-sentence and caught her before she hit the floor.

I was shaking. "Rhett, if you walk out that door, you will regret it."

He glanced back at me, his voice measured and flat. "You're too upset to talk right now. Calm down first, and then we'll sort this out."

He walked out anyway.

Anna was cradled against his arm, her head tipped back. As he carried her through the door, she turned and looked straight at me.

The helpless, frightened expression was gone. Her eyes were completely clear.

She mouthed the words to me. "Sorry, Nora. I have to stay on Level Two."

After they were gone, the room was so quiet I could hear my own tears hitting the floor. So Rhett hadn't changed overnight after all. It had been happening slowly, quietly, long before I was willing to admit it.

Something almost like relief moved through me, and I laughed at myself for it. It had taken my heart breaking completely before I could finally see straight. When I was done, I wiped my face and picked up my phone.

"Yes, is this the Level Two security office? I'd like to report someone. There's an unregistered Level Three resident being harbored at this address."