Determined to spend every last penny she had, Emma went into the heart of the bustling city. Her previous purchases had all been focused on survival in the face of impending doom, but now, as she walked through the crowded streets, she couldn't help but feel a pang of longing for a taste of the luxuries she had left behind.

With a determined gleam in her eye, Emma made her way to her favorite snack shop, her mouth watering at the thought of taking in some of her favorite food. As she walked up to the counter, she asked for a mix of sugary and salty snacks. She enjoyed every delicious mouthful as if she wouldn't get to eat them again, because well she may not again. Buying a bunch of extra packs, Emma stuffed the snacks into her storage room.

But Emma wasn't going to stop there. With a flick of her phone, she began placing orders from all her favorite restaurants, determined to keep a supply of these places, so she could still taste her favorite flavors after the apocalypse starts.

As she waited for her orders to finish, Emma found herself wandering through the corridors of a nearby mall, her senses on high alert. Thanks to the help of the water's mysterious power and her daily workouts, she moved with a grace and agility that most people could only dream of. Ducking behind a pillar, she listened intently as the voices of familiar strangers echoed through the air.

It was Liam and Vivian, locked in an intense argument that echoed through the mall, drawing curious glances from passersby. Emma couldn't resist listening in, her curiosity sparked by their discussion.

"LIAM LIN," Vivian's voice pierced the air like a dagger, her frustration noticeable through her voice. "You said the mansion was yours, so why are there people pounding on our doors every single day, threatening us to give up the house?"

As Vivian's voice rang out in accusation, Liam looked around anxiously, trying to quiet her down, but he failed as her words pierced through the air with sharp precision. Desperation showed on his face as he tried to cover Vivian's mouth, hoping to stop her outburst, but it was a hopeless effort against her mounting frustration.

"I don't know," Liam muttered, his voice strained as he struggled to maintain control of the situation. "It must have been something that little bitch did. Let's go home."

But Vivian was having none of it, her anger boiling over as she tore herself free from Liam's grasp. "Go home??? WHERE IS THE HOME?" she demanded, her voice rising with each word until it echoed through the crowded mall, drawing more of the attention of curious onlookers.

Vivian's voice trembled with raw emotion as she continued, her words cutting through the air like a sharpened blade. "You promised my parents a mansion, Liam," she accused, her gaze piercing through him like daggers. "But all I get now is the terror of late-night visits, people pounding on our door, splashing paint on the once-grand entrance. You have given me nothing. I WANT A DIVORCE."

From her hidden spot, Emma observed with a contented grin as Vivian's anger erupted, feeling pleased with the scene unfolding before her. It was a moment she had longed for, the result of years of suffering at her family's hands.

Liam reached out to grab Vivian's hand, desperation evident in his voice as he pleaded with her to stay. "Honey! Come back, don’t do that! I will buy you makeup, and bags! Anything you want!"

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But Vivian broke free from his hold, her determination unwavering as she turned and dashed away, the sound of her footsteps reverberating through the mall. Liam's pleas fell on deaf ears as he watched her walk away.

With a sense of satisfaction, Emma stepped out from her hiding place, blocking Liam's path with a determined stance. "Liam," she began.

Once Liam recognized Emma, his puzzlement transformed into anger. He glared at her with narrowed eyes. Every sleepless night filled with harassment, every ounce of stress etched into his weary face, all traced back to her. His frustration boiled over as he confronted her, his voice trembling with build-up rage.

"Emma. What have you done with the house?" Liam's words were laced with accusation, his tone harsh and accusatory. He couldn't understand how she could stand there so calmly while chaos filled his life.

Emma met his gaze with an innocent expression, she pretended not to know, acting clueless. "The house?" she echoed, her laughter tinkling like glass shattering in the tense air. "What happened to it?"

"You know exactly what you've done," Liam's voice dripped with venom, his eyes blazing with fury as he locked gazes with Emma. Every ounce of his frustration and rage surged through him, propelling his arm forward in a swift, menacing arc.

His hand, ready to hit, shook with strong feelings as it moved towards Emma, the atmosphere tense and charged with energy. The threat of violence hung heavy in the air, an obvious force driving home the gravity of the situation.

Emma swiftly and elegantly dodged Liam's aggressive attack, her reflexes finely tuned and incredibly sharp. With a teasing grin, she briefly held his hand before letting go, her eyes sparkling with mischief and rebellion.

"Watch your hands, Brother," Emma's voice dripped with disgust, her tone cutting like a knife through the tense atmosphere. As she talked, her lips twisted into a wicked smile, her expression veering towards something dark and menacing.

The offer she extended to Liam was filled with layers of sarcasm and irony, her words dripping with venomous sweetness. "If you ever need a place, Liam, you can live at my apartment," she cooed mockingly, her voice laced with malice.

Her gaze lingered on the direction Vivian had fled, "Better run after her," Emma's words were delivered like a parting shot, her wicked smile widening as she turned on her heel and walked away, leaving Liam standing there.

As Liam's gaze flickered between the retreating figure of Vivian and Emma's vanishing form, a storm of conflicting emotions raged within him. His jaw clenched tightly, teeth grinding together audibly as he wrestled with his fury and frustration.

With unwavering determination, Liam retrieved his phone, his fingers shaking slightly as he dialed a number. He spoke quickly into the phone, his voice urgent. After hanging up, he put his phone away and hurried in the direction Vivian had run off to.

Emma turned back, her eyes following Liam's retreating figure with a smirk playing on her lips. She couldn't help but shake her head in disbelief at his plan, muttering under her breath, "Dumb people will always be dumb." She snorted disdainfully, turning her attention away from the commotion behind her, and refocused on her own plans.

After browsing through several more stores, Emma's bank account dwindling with each purchase, she found herself drawn to the entrance of a trendy clothing store at her last thirty dollars. The window display tempted Emma with its assortment of trendy clothes, but it was a specific item that grabbed her attention—a vintage-style baseball sweater, standing out among the other stylish pieces.

Emma approached the nearest store worker with a warm smile, her eyes fixed on the sweater displayed in the window. "Hi there," she greeted the employee. "Could you please tell me how much the sweater in the display is?"

The store worker looked at Emma from top to bottom, a small smile on her lips. Emma felt more and more uneasy as the employee stared at her, but she refused to show any sign of weakness. Returning the stare with equal intensity, she assessed the employee in return.

The employee's laughter broke the tense silence, echoing through the store with a condescending edge. "Two hundred dollars, Miss," she announced, her tone dripping with superiority as if she already knew Emma couldn't afford it.