Cassian nodded with quiet satisfaction. That night, Natalie kept her word. She cooked a hearty pot of bone soup. Cassian drank the broth, Natalie ate the meat, and Lucky chewed happily on the bones. Everyone got what they wanted. After dinner, Cassian washed the dishes while Natalie said goodbye and took Lucky out for a walk. Amber, who had been watching from downstairs, saw her leave. Seizing the chance, she slipped into her most revealing nightgown and headed upstairs. Cassian heard a knock and assumed Natalie had forgotten something. But when he opened the door, he was met with a heavily made-up face. Amber stood there in a black lace slip dress, its hem slit high and neckline cut low. Pouting, she said, "Kash, it's so hot out. My head's dizzy. You've got air conditioning, right? Can I come in and cool off?" She reached out with delicate fingers, aiming to touch his arm. Cassian immediately stepped back, frowning. "If you're hot, take a cold shower. You smell awful." With that, he shut the door right in her face. Amber froze, staring wide-eyed at the door. She looked down at her outfit in disbelief. This nightgown had never failed her before. With her figure and this look, no man had ever refused her—until Kash. How could he turn me away? Frowning, she sniffed her arm.Did I smell? The truth was, with water scarce during the Great Heat, showers were rare. She only managed to clean up when she spent the night at Magnus's villa, where water was rationed for his favorites. But wait—if I couldn't bathe, then how could Bonnie? We're all stuck in the same situation. So why am I the one being rejected? Bonnie can stay in his room, but not me? Grinding her teeth, Amber stormed downstairs. First Magnus, now Kash—both blinded by that Bonnie. What, just because Bonnie has a prettier face? I'm not any worse. I'm more feminine than Bonnie. Even our names prove it. Mine sounds much better. Bonnie? How plain and country-sounding is that? But Amber—it flows soft and sweet, like warm honey. Scowling, Amber sank onto the couch downstairs, trying to figure out her next move. It wasn't long before Natalie came back from walking Lucky. The moment she walked through the door, she saw Amber lounging there in a skimpy nightgown, arms crossed, looking like the whole world owed her something. Hearing the door close, Amber turned and locked eyes with her. Amber let out a sharp snort, lifted her chin high, pushed her chest forward, and even gave her arms a little squeeze for emphasis. Natalie was speechless. Seriously? Competing with me over looks—in the middle of the end of the world?She glanced down at her own arm, muscles tight and clean-lined. Did Amber dare compare whose punch packed more power? One punch from me could drop a full-grown man flat. Ignoring Amber completely, Natalie whistled for Lucky and went straight upstairs. The next morning, just as the sky began to lighten, Cassian went downstairs to pick up breakfast, responding to the loudspeaker's daily announcement. Even though he and Natalie never ate the base's food, they still collected it every day to avoid suspicion. As he reached the first floor, Amber poked her head out of her room. "Kash, I'm not dressed yet. Can you be a dear and grab my meal for me?" The way she said it could easily make a man imagine all kinds of things. As the most attractive woman in the base, she was skilled at playing this card. But Cassian wasn't buying it. His face stayed cold. "Get it yourself." He walked straight out the door. By the time Amber stormed out fully dressed, she saw Cassian carrying two meal boxes upstairs. Her hands clenched into fists. So he wouldn't help me, but he'd help Bonnie? What a joke. Acting all cool and distant when he's nothing more than Bonnie's lapdog! Bah! She cursed him silently with every nasty word she could think of, then finally let out a long breath and went to get her food. Today's meal was fried chicken. Amber sat at the table with her lunchbox, biting into a drumstick while plotting her next move. Magnus's orders had to be followed. Besides Cassiland, where else could I get fried chicken this good? No filler sides, no scraps—just piles of meat, enough to fill anyone up. Her eyes darted around. Kash had turned her down four times already. Clearly, he wasn't going to fall for her tricks. Time for a new tactic. She would go after Bonnie instead. Magnus only wanted to keep Kash and Bonnie apart. If she could cling to Bonnie and stop them from ever being together, it would work just as well. Decision made, she fixed her gaze on Natalie. That afternoon, she finally got her chance. Natalie headed outside with Lucky for a walk. So she quickly caught up, trying to find a way to strike up a conversation. Her plan was simple: once she got close to Bonnie, she could stick to her like glue. That way, Kash would never have the chance to be alone with her. "Bonnie, walking the dog again?" Natalie froze. Isn't this woman supposed to be throwing herself at Cassian nonstop? What is she doing following me around?