Apocalypse Days: I Rule with Foresight and a Powerful Son
Chapter 106:

Chapter 106: 106:

The farm was eerily still.

Zara slowed her steps as she approached, her brows furrowing at the small group of workers gathered outside the greenhouse entrance. No one was inside. No one was working.

Clara stood among them, arms crossed, face twisted in mild irritation.

"What’s going on?" Zara asked as she reached them.

Clara turned, sighing. "We don’t know. They won’t let us in."

Zara glanced toward the greenhouses, normally bustling with workers tending to the crops. Now, the doors remained locked, a few uniformed guards standing nearby.

Her mind drifted back to what Clara had mentioned before—the crops growing too fast, too resistant to the mist. It made no sense. And now, they were suddenly shutting down the entire greenhouse?

Before she could voice her concern, an official stepped forward, dressed in the standard-issue black uniform of the base. He was a tall man with sharp features, a neatly trimmed beard, and a crisp, impassive expression. The workers fell silent as he cleared his throat.

"The greenhouses are undergoing a fumigation process," he announced, his voice smooth but devoid of warmth. "All workers assigned to this sector are relieved of their duties for the next three days. You will be notified when operations resume."

A murmur rippled through the group.

"Three days?" A man named Garrick, a seasoned worker with a gruff voice, frowned. "That’s never happened before."

The official didn’t acknowledge the concern. "Enjoy the break."

Zara tensed, her fingers tightening around Leo. Something wasn’t right.

The workers reacted differently to the news. Some, like Clara, scoffed in mild annoyance. Others seemed relieved, already discussing what they would do with their unexpected free time. Garrick rubbed his chin, eyes lingering on the greenhouse doors as if he could see through them.

"Why fumigation?" Clara muttered beside Zara, watching the official walk away. "We’ve never needed it before. And why now?"

Zara shook her head. "I don’t know."

Garrick exhaled sharply. "Doesn’t sit right with me. What am I supposed to do with my time now?"

Zara’s stomach twisted. Something was wrong. The timing was worrying.

One of the older workers, an older man named Ellis, scoffed. "Just be glad they’re giving us time off instead of working us to the bone."

A younger man chuckled beside him. "I’m not complaining. I could use a break."

Zara forced a small smile but didn’t respond. Unlike them, she didn’t want a break.

She needed work—something to keep her occupied, to keep her from thinking too much. Because lately, her thoughts were dangerous.

Clara nudged her. "Enjoy the break, Zara. You look like you need it."

Zara gave a small, forced smile but didn’t respond. Instead, her mind wandered.

Winter.

Would she be allowed to see him?

She adjusted Leo in her arms, pressing a kiss to the top of his head before turning away from the group. She had nothing else to do—might as well try.

*****

The place that served as the soldiers’ barracks was rough and rigid—all cold steel and concrete, completely unwelcoming.

Zara held Leo closer as she approached, forcing herself not to hesitate. She had no idea if she’d even be allowed to see Winter, but she had to try.

She approached one of the soldiers standing near the entrance. He was tall, bulky, and the moment his eyes landed on her, something about his smirk made her stomach turn.

"Hey there," he drawled lazily, his gaze sweeping over her in a way that made her skin crawl. "What’s a pretty thing like you doing here?"

Zara ignored the tone. "I’m here to see someone. Winter."

The soldier’s expression barely shifted. "Winter? Haven’t heard that name."

Zara clenched her jaw. "He’s been held up by work for a while now. I just want to know if I can see him."

The man hummed, tilting his head, eyes flicking down to Leo. "You his woman?"

She tensed. "That doesn’t matter. Can I see him or not?"

The soldier chuckled, taking a slow step forward. Too close.

"Maybe if you ask nicely," he mused, lowering his voice. "Or maybe... you offer something else."

Disgust rippled through her. Zara took a step back, shifting Leo in her arms protectively. "No."

The soldier shrugged, as if amused by her rejection. "Shame. You don’t know what you’re missing."

Zara refused to engage. She turned to leave—But then his hand clamped around her wrist.

She stiffened, whirling around, heart pounding.

"You’re just gonna walk away?" The soldier smirked. "Dont be so snobby with me bitch."

"Let go of me," Zara hissed, not wanting to alarm Leo.

"I could call out right now. Say you’re infected. You and the kid would be gone before you could even blink."

Zara’s breath caught. Her mind raced. Would he really? Was this the kind of man they let have power here?

Anger flared hot in her chest, but she forced herself to stay calm. Stay still. Her blood boiled, but she kept herself still. She had Leo in her arms. She couldn’t afford to react emotionally.

"You’re a sick, disgusting—"

"Oh, come on," he interrupted, grinning wider. "That’s no way to talk to someone who’s offering you an out." His grip tightened.

"We just need to find a place to ditch the kid, and then we can have some fun. Though I don’t mind an audience."

She was going to slap him. She was going to break his nose.

But before she could—

"What’s going on here?"

The voice that called out was sharp and icy. Zara turned.

A man stood a few steps away, watching them with a piercing gaze. Green eyes—sharp, unnatural, and intense. Handsome in a cold, detached way.

The soldier immediately snapped to attention, saluting stiffly—his cocky smirk wiped clean. "Sir!"

Zara blinked. Who the hell was this?

The man barely spared the soldier a glance before shifting his gaze to Zara.

"Is there a problem?" His voice was polite, but something about his presence made her skin prickle.

She hesitated. Looked at the soldier, who was sweating profusely now. Then back at the strange man.

"I’m looking for someone," she said finally.

The man hummed, glancing at Leo, then back to her. "Who?"

She swallowed, holding Leo closer. "Winter."

A flicker of something passed through his expression. A strange look—brief but unreadable.

Then, slowly, he smiled.

"I knew that man was interesting," he murmured under his breath.

Zara stiffened. What?

Before she could ask, he looked back at her. "Are you his wife?"

Zara didn’t hesitate. "Yes."

The man’s smile widened slightly. "Good. Then I suppose you’ll want him released."

Her breath caught. "He’s... being held? Why?"

The man tilted his head. "Knocked out an officer."

"What?!" Zara gasped. "A fight?"

The man hummed to himself, as if considering something. "He’s in confinement for knocking out an officer. Two-week punishment." Then he smiled. "But since you came for him, and there’s such a young child at home, I’ll have him released."

Zara blinked. Just like that?

She wasn’t sure whether to feel relieved or suspicious.

The man gestured for her to follow. "Come. Let’s get him out."

As the man led her inside the barracks, he made polite conversation, but Zara could barely focus. Winter had gotten into a fight? Zara’s stomach twisted. Was it because of me? Had she somehow caused this?

She was lost in thought when they finally stopped in a reception area.

The green-eyed man disappeared further inside.

Leo shifted in her arms. "Who was that?"

"A soldier," Zara murmured.

Leo’s tiny brows furrowed. "Like my toys?"

She let out a small hum of agreement. Leo tilted his head. "Why are his eyes like that? Is he sick?"

Zara scolded him gently. "Leo, don’t make fun of people’s unique features."

But the truth was, she was wondering the same thing. He had been looking at her and Leo like he had seen through them.

A noise snapped her attention up. Winter was walking toward them. His frown was deep, his skin paler than usual, his entire posture tense.

Then he saw them. His steps halted and his eyes widened.

Zara swallowed, fidgeting with worry. She had expected anger. Expected him to snap at her. But instead—

He looked like he’d seen a ghost.

Leo immediately began squirming in her arms, reaching out. "Uncle!"

She barely managed to set Leo down before the boy ran to him, hugging his leg.

Winter didn’t move. Didn’t react. Just stared down at the child with wide eyes, like his brain was still trying to process what was happening.

For a moment, he remained like that. Then, hesitantly, he reached out, patting Leo’s head. "Leo?"

Zara’s chest tightened. Something was definitely wrong.

She took a cautious step forward. "Winter—"

"Steele."

That other voice spoke at the same time.

Winter tensed immediately. Without thinking, he pulled Zara closer. She stiffened in surprise.

The man from before was standing at a distance, watching them with that same unsettling smile. "You have a beautiful family," he said smoothly. "I wouldn’t want to be the one to keep you apart."

Zara did not like the way he said that. And clearly, neither did Winter. It sounded too much like a threat.

He didn’t say a word. Just picked up Leo and dragged Zara away.

Zara looked back.

The man waved gently, his eerie green eyes lingering on them before shifting back to Winter.

Zara turned back around, focusing on Winter.

His grip was tight. His posture was tense. And his jaw was clenched so hard it looked painful.

He was pissed.

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