Chapter 34: Bit** Mira

Phoenix's scathing critique of Mira's character struck a nerve, accusing her of embodying the worst traits of insincerity and manipulation.

Mira, though guilty of gold-digging and toying with emotions, internally maintained an image of herself as fundamentally good. Phoenix's mockery shattered this illusion, causing her to question her own allure and prospects of marrying into wealth.

Upon ending the call, Phoenix discovered a barrage of voice messages from Mira, undoubtedly filled with her vitriol. Yet, Phoenix remained indifferent. In his eyes, she was but a fading flower in an apocalyptic winter, bound to succumb to the elements.

In contrast, Phoenix found solace and even joy in Mira's distress. He celebrated with a bottle of Romanee Conti, a relic of luxury worth a fortune, amidst a world crumbling into anarchy. His home, powered and warm, stood in stark opposition to the chaos outside, a fortress against the post-apocalyptic decay.

While Phoenix reveled in his opulence, Mira fumed in her shared abode with Iris. Any other time, her rage might have been tempered, but the stark contrast between her suffering and Phoenix's indulgence was too much to bear. She railed against him, her anger amplified by the harsh reality of their situation.

Iris, witnessing Mira's outburst, could not hide her disdain. She blamed Mira's promiscuity for their plight, suggesting they could have been enjoying the comforts of Phoenix's home instead. Her words, however, only deepened Mira's resentment, leading her to cling to the fantasy of an affluent marriage.

As the relentless snowstorm cast a shadow over the world, the once unshakable confidence of both women began to crumble. They had been trapped for ten days, the severity of their isolation breeding fear and uncertainty. The societal collapse forced them to confront the possibility of death, a thought that once seemed distant and abstract.

Despite their past behavior, their youth did not shield them from the despair that now gripped them. Mira, in particular, was haunted by the injustice of her suffering compared to Phoenix's comfort.

Amidst this emotional turmoil, Iris reached out to Phoenix, ostensibly to congratulate him on seeing through Mira's facade. Her message, however, revealed a more self-serving intent as she confessed her own feelings for him, hoping to secure a place in his sanctuary.

Phoenix, dining lavishly, could not help but laugh at the irony of the situation. Iris's betrayal of Mira and her transparent overture reflected the desperation of the times.

Though Iris had once held herself in high esteem, the dire circumstances had humbled her. With the quality of life in Phoenix's home now apparent, she readily abandoned her previous disdain, seeking to align herself with him.

In a world turned upside down, where survival was uncertain, the true colors of humanity were laid bare. Phoenix's encounter with Mira and Iris's messages painted a picture of human nature that was as unsettling as it was revealing.