Chapter 31: Phoenix's Family is too Rich.

In the bleak midwinter of a world encased in snow, Mira, once consumed by pride and beauty, now finds herself gripped by hunger and desperation. The affluent life she knew is a distant memory, and survival becomes the pressing need of the hour. The snowstorm has mercilessly laid waste to all normalcy, plunging her and her friend Iris into a struggle that tests the very fabric of their beings.

With food supplies dwindling and the cold an unrelenting foe, Mira and Iris face the stark reality of their situation. The apartment complex's chat group, once a hub of neighborly chatter, has become a place of bargaining, pleas for help, and the cold silence of desperation. The community's unity is fractured, revealing a Darwinian truth where every individual is for themselves.

The rich second-generation Benjamin's willingness to pay exorbitant sums for basic food items sends shockwaves through the group, shattering any lingering illusions of the storm being a temporary inconvenience. It's a catalyst for change, revealing the now-prime currency of survival: food and warmth, not money or status.

Mira contemplates swallowing her pride and seeking aid from Phoenix, a man she once dismissed but who now might be her salvation. Phoenix, prepared and resilient, has adapted to the new normal, prioritizing practical needs over past social connections. He represents a chance for sustenance, but for Mira, it means casting aside her carefully curated image.

Phoenix observes the unraveling of the social order with a detached air, aware of the petty squabbles and desperate measures of those around him. He remains focused on his own survival, aware that compassion has become a luxury few can afford. When Mira finally reaches out, it's with a feigned gentleness, a ploy to appeal to any lingering sentiment Phoenix might hold.

However, Phoenix is not easily swayed. His experiences have hardened him, and he views Mira's attempts with a cynical amusement. Mira, once the object of his affections, now appears to him as another survivor scrambling in the snowstorm's aftermath. Her beauty and allure have lost their power, and in this new world, it's the practicality and foresight that Phoenix values above all else.

As Mira and Iris come to grips with their new reality, they learn that their previous values have little place in this world of ice and isolation. With each passing day, the old social structures crumble a bit more, and the two women must decide how far they're willing to go to survive. In a world where warmth and a full stomach are the new measures of wealth, the story of Mira, Iris, and Phoenix is a chilling reminder of just how fragile the fabric of society can be.