"Warehouse rental."
Jules stirred beneath her blanket.
"International shipping."
She frowned in her sleep.
"Cargo truck rental."
What?
"Real estate deposit."
Something rustled beside her ear.
"Expedited delivery fees."
Jules pulled the blanket over her head.
"Jules."
She ignored the voice.
"Jules Valen."
Five more minutes.
"Do you have any idea how much money you spent yesterday?"
Her eyes flew open.
Kaelen Valen stood beside her bed.
He was still wearing his pajamas, his dark hair sticking up slightly on one side. The gray streaks near his temples were more noticeable than usual, and his amber eyes were fixed on the phone in his hand.
He looked remarkably calm.
That was the frightening part.
"Dad?"
"Good morning, sweetheart."
Jules stared at him.
"Why are you in my room?"
"Wonderful question. I have a few of my own."
He lifted his phone.
"Would you like to explain why I woke up to enough transaction notifications to make me think someone had stolen my card?"
Jules slowly sat up.
Oh.
She'd known this was coming.
She just hadn't expected it before sunrise.
"Dad, I can explain."
"Excellent."
He pulled a chair beside her bed and sat down.
"Let's start with the warehouses."
Jules glanced at the clock.
6:12 a.m.
"Dad, it's six in the morning."
"Yes. Very observant."
"Can we do this after breakfast?"
"Breakfast?"
Kaelen smiled.
Jules immediately regretted speaking.
"That's interesting. Because I seem to remember someone standing in my kitchen yesterday, announcing that she would be cooking for this family."
Jules closed her eyes.
"Remember that?" he asked.
"Yes."
"Breakfast, lunch, and dinner."
"I remember."
"Every day."
"Dad."
"Wonderful."
He stood.
"THEN GET UP AND COOK!"
Jules jumped so violently that her blanket slid off the bed.
"DAD!"
"DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY YOU SPENT?"
"Why are you yelling?"
"BECAUSE APPARENTLY YOU CAN'T HEAR ME WHEN I WHISPER!"
A door slammed somewhere down the hallway.
"Some of us are trying to sleep!" a voice shouted.
Kaelen turned toward the door.
"THEN GO BACK TO SLEEP!"
A second voice called, "How are we supposed to do that?"
"NOT MY PROBLEM!"
Jules buried her face in her hands.
This is going terribly.
Kaelen looked back at her.
"Now. Let's discuss the apartment."
Jules peeked through her fingers.
"What apartment?"
His expression went blank.
"Jules."
She lowered her hands.
"Right. That apartment."
"Why did you put a deposit on an apartment in Clearwater?"
"It's an investment."
"An investment."
"Yes."
"With my money."
"Technically..."
"Choose your next words very carefully."
Jules closed her mouth.
Kaelen held up the phone again.
"Two warehouses. International shipments. A property deposit. Equipment orders. And enough transportation charges to suggest you're moving an entire company."
He lowered the phone.
"Are you in trouble?"
The question caught her off guard.
"What?"
"Did someone threaten you? Are you being pressured into something? Because if somebody is making you do this, I need you to tell me."
Jules stared at him.
For a moment, she forgot about the bank statements.
Her father wasn't just angry.
He was worried.
"No, Dad. Nobody's threatening me."
"Then why?"
Jules looked down.
Because in less than three months, the world would begin falling apart.
Because she'd watched him die.
Because she'd watched all of them die.
Because this time, she refused to let it happen again.
"I can't explain everything yet."
Kaelen was silent.
When she looked up, the anger in his face had changed.
"Jules, I gave you that card because I trusted you."
"I know."
"I didn't give it to you so you could sign contracts and spend enormous amounts of money without speaking to me."
"I know."
"Do you?"
She nodded.
"Because I don't think you understand what you've done. These aren't ordinary purchases. You're making financial commitments, Jules. There are contracts involved. Legal obligations. Money isn't the only issue."
He sighed and rubbed his forehead.
"Until you tell me what's going on, the card is suspended."
Jules's head snapped up.
"What?"
"You heard me."
"Dad, I need that card."
"Then you need to tell me why."
"I can't."
"Then you don't need it."
He headed toward the door.
Jules scrambled out of bed.
"Wait! Dad!"
Kaelen stopped.
"What?"
She hesitated.
There were so many things she wanted to say.
Instead, the only words that came out were
"Can I at least brush my teeth before you make me cook?"
Kaelen stared at her.
Then he pointed toward the bathroom.
"Ten minutes."
"Twenty?"
"Five."
"Ten is perfect."
He left.
Jules collapsed back onto the mattress.
I'm going to lose my mind.
By the time Jules made it downstairs, the kitchen was already occupied.
Her mother stood near the counter with a mug in her hand, while Kaelen sat at the island reviewing something on his phone.
Serina looked up.
"Good morning, sweetheart."
"Morning, Mom."
"Your father tells me you've been busy."
Jules stopped walking.
"How busy?"
Serina raised an eyebrow.
"Busy enough that I would like an explanation."
Of course.
Kaelen didn't look up.
"Don't let her distract you. She's supposed to be cooking."
Jules glanced toward the refrigerator.
"Right. Breakfast."
Serina took another sip from her mug.
"What are you making?"
"Something good."
"That doesn't answer my question."
"It's a surprise."
Kaelen snorted.
"After yesterday's spending, it had better be."
Jules opened the refrigerator.
Eggs.
Vegetables.
Milk.
Fruit.
Enough ingredients to make breakfast without retrieving anything suspicious from storage.
Good.
The problem was the water.
She needed to incorporate the energy-infused water from her private dimension into the family's meals.
But she couldn't exactly make a container appear out of thin air while her parents watched.
She looked over her shoulder.
Kaelen was still sitting at the island.
Serina had moved to the other side of the counter.
Neither seemed interested in leaving.
Of course they aren't.
Jules began taking ingredients out of the refrigerator.
She needed a distraction.
Preferably one that wouldn't involve setting the house on fire.
"Tavian!" she called.
No answer.
"Tavian!"
From somewhere upstairs came an irritated shout.
"WHAT?"
"COME HERE!"
"WHY?"
"BECAUSE I SAID SO!"
A pause.
"YOU'RE NOT MOM!"
Jules closed her eyes.
I am going to throw him out a window.
A few minutes later, Tavian wandered into the kitchen.
His dark hair was a mess, and he wore the expression of someone who deeply resented being awake.
"What?"
Jules smiled.
"Good morning."
He narrowed his hazel eyes.
"What do you want?"
"Nothing."
"You're smiling."
"Am I not allowed to smile?"
"Not like that."
Kaelen looked up.
"Tavian, since you're awake, help your sister."
Tavian immediately took a step backward.
"Nope."
"Tavian."
"I'm not getting involved in whatever she did."
Jules grabbed his arm.
"Actually, I need to talk to you."
He looked at her hand.
"Why?"
"Privately."
His expression brightened.
"Oh, this is good."
She dragged him toward the pantry.
"Stop smiling."
"You're making it worse."
Once they were out of their parents' direct line of sight, Jules lowered her voice.
"I need you to get Mom and Dad out of the kitchen."
Tavian blinked.
"Why?"
"Because I need to do something."
"What?"
"Something."
"That sounds illegal."
"It's not illegal."
"Then why do they need to leave?"
"Tavian."
"Jules."
She took a breath.
"I'll give you money."
He stared at her.
Then he laughed.
Not a little laugh.
A full, delighted laugh.
"Money?"
"Keep your voice down!"
"What money?"
"I have money."
"No, you don't. Dad's about to cut you off."
"He already did."
Tavian's grin widened.
"Seriously?"
"Unfortunately."
"Oh, that's beautiful."
"Tavian!"
"Sorry. Continue."
Jules rubbed her forehead.
"Fine. I'll do your laundry for a month."
He stared at her again.
"You?"
"Yes."
"Doing laundry?"
"Yes!"
"Jules, you don't even do your own laundry."
"I know how to use a washing machine!"
"Knowing which button turns it on doesn't count."
"Okay, okay! What do you want?"
Tavian folded his arms.
He looked thoughtful.
Far too thoughtful.
Then a slow, mischievous smile spread across his face.
"One favor."
Jules immediately shook her head.
"No."
"You didn't even hear the conditions."
"Because I know you."
"One favor. Whenever I need it."
"Absolutely not."
"Then good luck."
He turned to leave.
Jules caught his sleeve.
"Wait."
Tavian looked back.
"Interested?"
"One favor," Jules said, "but nothing illegal, dangerous, expensive, humiliating, or anything that could get someone hurt."
"Wow."
"And I get to refuse if it's unreasonable."
"You're taking all the fun out of it."
"Last time you made that deal with Daric, he wouldn't speak to you for three days."
"Four," Tavian corrected proudly.
"That is not something to brag about."
"He got over it."
"He hid your shoes."
"And I found them."
"Two weeks later."
Tavian shrugged.
"Details."
Jules pointed at him.
"Do we have a deal or not?"
He considered it.
"Fine. One reasonable favor."
"Good."
"But you can't pretend you forgot."
"I won't."
"And no backing out because you're scared."
"Tavian."
"Okay, okay."
He extended his hand.
Jules shook it.
The expression on his face made her immediately question her decision.
"Why are you smiling like that?"
"No reason."
"Tavian."
"Love you, sis."
He walked out of the pantry.
Jules watched him go.
I have made a terrible mistake.
Tavian returned to the kitchen and leaned against the island.
"Dad?"
Kaelen didn't look up.
"What?"
"Remember when that thing in your office broke?"
Jules froze.
Oh, no.
Kaelen slowly raised his head.
"What thing?"
"You know. The expensive one."
Serina turned around.
"Tavian, what are you talking about?"
"The thing Dad was really mad about."
Kaelen set down his phone.
"Why?"
Tavian shrugged.
"No reason. I just remembered something."
Jules pressed her lips together.
Please don't.
"Actually," Tavian continued, "I think I finally know who did it."
A chair scraped upstairs.
Then footsteps.
Daric appeared in the doorway.
"What are you talking about?"
Tavian grinned.
"Oh, look. Daric's awake."
Daric looked from Tavian to their father.
Then back to Tavian.
"Don't."
Kaelen's eyes narrowed.
"Don't what?"
"Nothing," Daric said quickly.
Another set of footsteps sounded.
Jorin entered, rubbing his eyes.
"Why is everyone yelling?"
Tavian turned toward him.
"Perfect timing."
Jorin stopped.
He looked at Tavian.
Then Daric.
Then their father.
"...What happened?"
"Tavian says he knows who broke something in my office," Kaelen said.
Jorin's expression changed.
It was subtle.
But Jules saw it.
Tavian saw it too.
His grin widened.
"Oh, this is getting good."
Daric pointed at him.
"Shut up."
"Why?"
"Because nobody wants to hear you talk."
"That's not very nice."
"Tavian," Serina said, "what exactly are you accusing your brothers of?"
"Accusing? Mom, I'm just trying to help the family heal."
Jules turned away.
She couldn't help it.
A laugh escaped.
Kaelen stood.
"All three of you. Living room. Now."
Daric stared at Tavian.
"I'm going to kill you."
"Love you too."
Jorin sighed.
"I literally just woke up."
"Living room," Kaelen repeated.
Serina followed them, shaking her head.
"And nobody is threatening anybody before breakfast!"
Tavian glanced over his shoulder as they left.
He caught Jules's eye.
Then winked.
Jules silently mouthed, Thank you.
He mouthed back, You owe me.
The kitchen finally fell quiet.
Jules waited.
A second passed.
Then another.
From the living room came Tavian's voice.
"Okay, but technically, nobody ever asked if it was an accident."
"TAVIAN!"
Jules hurried to the refrigerator before her parents could return.
She retrieved a container of energy-infused water from System storage, placing it directly onto the counter.
One moment, the space had been empty.
The next, the container was there.
She stared at it.
Still no resistance.
Still no warning.
The System made something extraordinary feel almost ordinary.
Jules poured some of the water into a pot and began preparing breakfast.
She used the ingredients from the refrigerator, adding the special water where it made sense.
She worked quickly, listening to the argument continuing in the next room.
She had no idea how much the water would help.
The System had indicated that changes might become noticeable after thirty days.
Until then, she could only keep giving it to them.
And hope.
By the time breakfast was ready, the argument about Kaelen's office had somehow become an argument about who had scratched the family car.
Jules decided not to investigate.
Some mysteries were better left unsolved.
She carried the last dish to the table.
"Breakfast!"
Amira appeared almost immediately.
"Jules made breakfast?"
"Yes."
"Really?"
Jules looked offended.
"Why does everyone sound surprised?"
Amira climbed into her chair.
"Because you don't cook."
"I can cook."
"Okay."
The little girl sounded unconvinced.
Kaelith was brought to the table a few moments later, still sleepy and clutching one of his toys.
Jules smiled when she saw him.
For a moment, everything else faded.
He was here.
Alive.
Three years old.
She reached over and gently smoothed his hair.
"Morning, little guy."
Kaelith blinked at her.
Then reached toward the food.
Jules laughed softly.
"Yeah, yeah. I know."
Soon, all nine members of the Valen family had gathered around the table.
Kaelen examined his plate.
Then looked at Jules.
"Well."
She raised an eyebrow.
"Well, what?"
"It looks edible."
"Dad!"
"I'm complimenting you."
"That's not a compliment."
Serina took a bite.
"It's good, sweetheart."
Jules smiled.
"Thank you, Mom."
Tavian leaned forward.
"Does that mean she's officially the family chef now?"
"Don't start," Jules warned.
"I'm just asking."
Daric glanced at him.
"Can you eat without talking?"
"No."
"We've noticed," Jorin muttered.
Amira giggled.
For a little while, breakfast continued normally.
People reached across the table.
Someone complained about not getting enough food.
Tavian tried to steal something from Daric's plate.
Daric slapped his hand away.
Kaelith dropped his toy.
Amira picked it up.
Serina reminded everyone to stop arguing over breakfast.
Jules sat among them, listening.
It was loud.
Messy.
Ordinary.
And she loved every second of it.
We used to eat like this.
The thought arrived without warning.
In her first life, there had been mornings just like this.
Before the earthquakes.
Before the shelters.
Before hunger turned every meal into a calculation.
Before the family table became something she could only remember.
Jules looked down at her plate.
Not this time.
"Jules."
She looked up.
Kaelen was watching her.
"Are you listening?"
"Sorry. What?"
"I asked whether you intend to explain the warehouses."
The table quieted.
Jules sighed.
"Dad, can we please eat first?"
"We are eating."
"Then can we finish?"
Kaelen set down his fork.
"Jules, I have been very patient."
Tavian coughed.
Daric glanced at him.
"Don't."
"I'm not saying anything."
"Good."
Kaelen continued.
"You spent an extraordinary amount of money. You made commitments without consulting me. And I still don't know what any of it is for."
Jules stared at her plate.
"I know."
"Do you understand why I'm upset?"
"Yes."
"Then explain."
She hesitated.
"I can't. Not completely."
Kaelen exhaled sharply.
"You're purchasing things on my card like you genuinely believe the world's about to end."
He gestured toward Selina.
"What happened? Have you started listening to your sister?"
Tavian immediately perked up.
"Oh, no."
Jules looked at him.
"Tavian."
He grinned.
"She's joined the apocalypse cult."
Jorin laughed.
Daric shook his head.
"That explains the warehouses."
"Exactly!" Tavian said. "Selina finally recruited someone."
Amira looked confused.
"What's an apocalypse cult?"
"Nothing," Serina said.
Tavian leaned toward her.
"It means Jules and Selina think the world's going to end."
"I never said that," Selina muttered.
"Not today," Tavian replied.
Another laugh went around the table.
Even Kaelen smiled briefly.
But Jules wasn't looking at them.
She was looking at Selina.
Her younger sister had stopped eating.
She sat with her fork resting against her plate, staring down at the food.
Her expression hadn't changed much.
That was what made it worse.
She wasn't arguing.
Wasn't defending herself.
Wasn't telling everyone that her research was serious.
She just sat there.
Jules remembered the night before.
The trembling uncertainty in Selina's voice.
The way she'd asked Jules not to make her regret trusting her.
And now they were laughing at her again.
We really do this all the time.
"She's not crazy," Jules said.
The laughter continued for another second.
Then stopped.
Tavian blinked.
"What?"
"Selina isn't crazy."
Kaelen frowned.
"Jules, nobody said she was."
"You don't have to say it."
Selina looked up.
"Jules, it's fine."
"No, it's not."
The table fell silent.
Jules looked around at her family.
They were all staring at her.
Her father looked confused.
Her mother concerned.
Her brothers uncertain.
Tavian had finally stopped smiling.
And Selina...
Selina looked frightened.
Jules took a breath.
"I need to show you something."
Kaelen leaned back in his chair.
"If this is another attempt to avoid explaining those transactions..."
"It's not."
"Then what is it?"
Jules stood.
Her chair scraped against the floor.
"I need everyone to watch me."
Daric frowned.
"Why?"
"Just watch."
Tavian leaned toward Jorin.
"If she starts floating, I'm leaving."
"Tavian," Serina warned.
Jules stepped away from the table.
Her heart was pounding.
She knew she could enter her private dimension.
She had done it before.
She knew she could leave it and return to the same place.
But there was something she'd never tested.
Something she'd never even thought to test until now.
What happens to my body?
Every time she'd entered the space, she'd been alone.
She had no idea what someone watching from the outside would see.
Maybe her entire body disappeared.
Maybe only her consciousness entered.
Maybe she'd stand there motionless while her mind traveled somewhere else.
If that happened, this wouldn't prove anything.
Worse, her family might think she'd fainted.
This is stupid.
She glanced toward Selina.
Her sister was watching her closely.
But I need them to believe me.
"Jules?" Serina asked.
"Are you feeling okay?"
"Yes."
"Then why are you standing there like that?"
Jules swallowed.
"I need you all to promise you won't panic."
Tavian snorted.
"That's a great way to make everyone panic."
"Seriously."
Kaelen stood.
"Jules, what are you doing?"
She looked at him.
"I'm going to try something."
"Try what?"
Jules hesitated.
Please work.
She focused on the private dimension.
And entered.
The familiar landscape appeared around her.
Fertile land stretched beneath the open sky.
The stream flowed nearby, its water carrying the strange energy the System had called vital flux.
The wooden cabin stood where it always had.
Everything looked normal.
Jules turned slowly.
She felt her arms.
Her legs.
Her face.
She was here.
Physically, as far as she could tell.
But that didn't answer the question.
What are they seeing?
She looked toward the place where she'd entered.
There was no window into the dining room.
No way to see her family.
For the first time, the private dimension felt strangely isolating.
She had gambled on something she didn't understand.
What if my body is still sitting there?
What if they're trying to wake me up?
Her stomach tightened.
She needed to return.
Now.
Jules focused on leaving.
"JULES!"
She reappeared in the dining room.
Serina was standing.
Kaelen had moved away from the table.
Daric and Jorin were on their feet.
Amira was crying.
Tavian had backed into his chair.
And Selina... Selina was staring at Jules with both hands covering her mouth.
Jules blinked.
"What?"
Nobody answered.
She looked from one face to another.
"Did it work?"
Kaelen stared at her.
His amber eyes were wide.
"Where..."He stopped. Swallowed. Then tried again.
"Where did you go?"
Jules's heart skipped.
They saw it.
She looked down at herself.
Then back at her family.
I disappeared.
For the first time since receiving the System, she had learned something about it from someone else's reaction.
Her body hadn't remained behind.
She had vanished completely.
"Jules."
Serina's voice trembled.
"Sweetheart, what just happened?"
Jules opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
She'd imagined this moment.
She'd imagined explaining the disasters.
The supplies.
The warehouses.
The reason she needed Pinnacle Tower.
But she hadn't imagined the look on her mother's face.
Or the way her father stood frozen beside the table.
Or how Tavian, who always had something to say, was completely silent.
Kaelith began calling her name.
Jules looked toward him.
Then at Amira, who was still crying.
"I'm okay," she said quickly. "I'm right here."
She stepped forward.
Serina reached her first.
Her mother caught her by the shoulders, searching her face.
"Are you hurt?"
"No."
"Did something happen to you?"
"No, Mom. I'm fine."
"Then where were you?"
Jules glanced toward her father.
Kaelen hadn't moved.
She had never seen him look like that.
Not in this life.
Not before the apocalypse.
"Dad?"
He stared at her for another moment.
Then slowly lowered himself into his chair.
"Jules."
His voice was barely above a whisper.
"Tell me what I just saw."
Jules looked around the table.
At the family she'd lost eight times.
At the people she had promised herself she would save.
She had wanted two weeks.
Two weeks to prepare.
Two weeks before telling them the truth.
But standing there, surrounded by their frightened faces, she realized she couldn't keep asking them to trust her without giving them a reason.
She pulled out her chair and sat down.
"I need everyone to listen."
No one interrupted.
Jules folded her hands beneath the table to hide their trembling.
"Something is going to happen to the world."
Kaelen stared at her.
"What do you mean?"
Jules looked at Selina.
Her sister was still pale, but she hadn't taken her eyes off her.
Then Jules turned back to her parents.
"In less than three months, everything is going to change."
Silence settled over the dining room.
For once, nobody laughed.