Apocalypse Days: I Rule with Foresight and a Powerful Son
Chapter 157

Chapter 157: 157

Adrian’s departure left behind a silence so thick it clung to the air like fog, suffocating and heavy.

Zara exhaled, forcing herself to breathe past the tightness in her ribs. Exhaustion was heavy on her like a chain, wrapping around her limbs, sinking into her bones. But even as fatigue threatened to pull her under, her grip on the blanket remained firm, her fingers curled around the fabric like a lifeline.

Leo was still pressed against her, his small body warm and trusting. He watched them both with wide, unblinking eyes, his tiny hands gripping the front of her shirt as if afraid she’d vanish.

At the foot of the bed, Winter stood rigid, his gaze locked on the door, as if expecting Adrian to return at any second. His jaw was tight, shoulders wound with tension, but it was the fury burning behind his eyes that sent a shiver down her spine.

Sam broke the silence first, exhaling a tired sigh. "Well, that went well."

Winter’s glare was immediate, sharp enough to cut through steel. "They won’t stop," he muttered, his voice low, laced with frustration. "We need to get out of here."

Zara’s fingers tightened around Winter’s wrist before she could stop herself. "Running isn’t an option yet," she said quietly. "We need answers first."

She felt the way he tensed beneath her grip, saw the flicker of frustration cross his face, but he didn’t argue. Because they both knew she was right. Adrian had too much leverage, too many eyes on them. If they ran now, they had nowhere to go. They’d be running blind—and that was a death sentence.

A nervous cough drew Zara’s attention to the medic still standing near the door. The woman looked torn, as if unsure whether she should stay or flee. Sam gave her a nod. "Go. You’ve done enough."

Relief flashed across the medic’s face as she all but scurried out of the room. The moment the door clicked shut behind her, Sam rolled his shoulders. "I’ll handle the paperwork."

Zara knew what he really meant. He’d pull whatever strings necessary to get her discharged, but it would come with conditions. She swallowed her pride. If it meant getting out of here, she’d deal with it.

"I need to get out of here," she mumbled under her breath.

Winter nodded, "we should be released soon."

She wasn’t surprised when Winter refused to let anyone else help her walk. His arm remained a steady presence around her waist, his grip firm but careful, as if he thought she might shatter beneath his hands.

It was ridiculous—she wasn’t some fragile thing. But when she tried to step forward on her own, a sharp pain lanced through her ribs, stealing the breath from her lungs.

She grit her teeth. Damn it.

Winter’s hold on her tightened. "I told you," he muttered.

She didn’t have the strength to snap back.

By the time they reached the apartment, Zara was more than ready to collapse. Winter helped her sit down, his touch lingering just long enough to ensure she was steady before he pulled away.

She shifted Leo in her lap, bouncing him lightly to keep him calm. "What are you doing?" she asked, watching as Winter moved around the room with precise, deliberate movements.

"Checking for cameras," he answered without looking at her.

Zara frowned, her exhaustion momentarily forgotten. She understood the paranoia, but after everything, she couldn’t bring herself to believe Adrian would be so careless as to leave surveillance in plain sight. Still, she didn’t stop him.

Instead, she focused on keeping Leo settled, her fingers tracing soothing circles against his back. The toddler yawned, his small face pressing against her chest, but the moment

Zara shifted to stand, her knees nearly buckled.

Winter was at her side in an instant.

His hands found her waist, steadying her before she could fall. "Sit back down," he ordered, his voice sharp.

Zara huffed, stubbornness flaring despite the dull ache radiating through her body. "I’m not useless."

"I didn’t say you were."

His expression was unreadable, but there was something in his voice—something quiet and insistent—that made her chest tighten.

Before she could argue further, he reached for Leo. The toddler let out a soft sound of protest as he was lifted from Zara’s arms, but the moment he realized it was Winter holding him, he stilled.

Zara watched as Winter stiffened, clearly caught off guard by the way Leo snuggled against him without hesitation. His grip on the child was awkward at first, uncertain.

But then, almost instinctively, he adjusted, one hand supporting Leo’s back while the other gently patted his small frame.

Zara’s heart clenched.

Winter was so careful.

So hesitant, like he didn’t quite know what to do with something so small and fragile in his arms.

Leo let out a sleepy sigh, his fingers curling into the fabric of Winter’s shirt.

Winter swallowed, visibly tense.

Zara bit back a smile. "You’re good with him."

Winter shot her a look. "I am not."

"You are," she countered, shifting slightly on the couch. "You don’t give yourself enough credit."

Winter exhaled heavily, shaking his head as he placed Leo in his cot. He lingered for a moment, staring down at the child with an unreadable expression before turning back to Zara.

His sigh was deep, weary. "We need to talk."

Zara nodded.

She’d known this moment was coming.

Winter sat down across from her, elbows resting on his knees, his gaze sharp and calculating. "Adrian has eyes everywhere," he started. "That means whatever we do next, we have to be careful."

Zara swallowed past the lump in her throat. "I know."

"He’s not going to just let this go."

"I know," she repeated, softer this time.

Zara watched Winter as he moved through the room, methodical and silent, his sharp gaze flicking from corner to corner.

Every sweep of his fingers over the furniture, every press against the walls was careful, searching. He didn’t trust this place, and neither did she.

By the time he was satisfied that no hidden eyes were watching them, Leo was already asleep in his crib, his tiny chest rising and falling with each peaceful breath.

A knock came to the door and winter tensed. He walked over to the door and paused, one arm on his side arm before opening the door.

Sam stood there. "Sorry I’m late, had to shake some people off."

Winter finally turned to her, his voice softer than before. "You didn’t tell them."

Zara’s fingers twitched against her lap. "Tell them what?"

Winter didn’t let it go. His gaze was too steady, too knowing. "About his ability. That was a smart move."

Zara exhaled, rubbing her temple. "I wasn’t about to put my baby in danger."

She hated the way her stomach twisted at the thought of it. The way the memory of Adrian’s sharp, assessing eyes sent ice creeping down her spine.

If she’d said anything, if she’d given them a single confirmation of what they were looking for—

No.

It didn’t matter what Leo could or couldn’t do. What mattered was keeping him safe.

Silence stretched between them. Winter didn’t argue, but his expression remained unreadable. He crossed his arms, leaning slightly against the wall. Leo stirred in his sleep, his small fingers flexing against the blanket, but he didn’t wake.

Sam frowned, arms draped over the back of the worn-out chair he’d claimed for himself. "Wait. What are you two talking about?"

Zara sighed, tilting her head back slightly before looking at him. "Leo’s ability... we haven’t understood it yet. Not fully."

Sam blinked, straightening. "But if Adrian’s people flagged him—"

Zara shook her head. "That’s why I didn’t say anything. I don’t even know what they saw."

She hated that part the most. The unknown.

The fact that someone else had glimpsed something about her son that she, his own mother, hadn’t yet unraveled.

Winter studied her for a long moment, his gaze flickering over her face as if searching for something. "You should rest," he finally said.

Zara scoffed. "You’re one to talk."

Something like amusement flickered across his face, but it was gone as quickly as it came.

She let out a slow breath, pressing her fingers to her temple. "What do we do now?"

Winter was quiet for a moment, as if weighing his words carefully. "We wait," he said finally. "We gather what we can. And when we move, we make damn sure we’re not walking into a trap."

It wasn’t the answer she wanted.

But it was the only answer they had.

Zara exhaled, nodding. "Alright."

Winter studied her for a long moment before standing. "Get some sleep."

She wanted to argue, but exhaustion was already pulling at her, dragging her under.

As her eyes fluttered shut, she felt the bed dip slightly beside her. A familiar warmth, a presence she hadn’t expected but didn’t push away.

Winter.

Silent, watchful, a barrier between her and whatever threats lurked in the shadows.

And for the first time in a long time, Zara allowed herself to feel safe.

Even if it wouldn’t last.