"Water ... water ... " Brandon frowned. "That's the whole reason I came out looking for you! I don't have any water at home. And now you're asking me for some?" Dorothy just kept whispering the same word. "Water ... water ... " Brandon touched her face. It was burning hot. If she didn't drink something soon, she really might die. In a panic, he yanked down his zipper. "Mom, I don't have water, but think of this like an emergency out in the desert!" The stink of urine hit her face. That was what brought her back to consciousness. She opened her eyes weakly, tears spilling. "Brandon ... take me home." Brandon looked troubled. "But there's no food left at home! You need to get me food!" Dorothy didn't answer. She just kept crying. Brandon sighed. With no choice, he hauled her back. Meanwhile, Natalie was visiting Olivia in 1401. "Olivia, you don't blame me for what happened to Dorothy, do you?" Olivia shook her head. "She brought it on herself." Then a tiny smile curled on her lips. "To be honest, Nat ... part of me is glad." Natalie blinked. She hadn't expected that. Olivia was usually so kind. She never took joy in other people's suffering—especially not when it came to her husband's mother. Anyone else feeling that way about Dorothy wouldn't have surprised Natalie. Dorothy had always been a vicious old woman. But coming from Olivia? It felt different. Seeing Natalie's confusion, Olivia explained with a bitter laugh. "The first time I went with Daniel to visit his hometown, his father spied on me while I was changing. When I caught him, Dorothy didn't blame him—she blamed me. Said I seduced him. She even beat Daniel half to death for defending me ... "After that, we refused to go back. But Dorothy kept coming into the city with Brandon, looking for excuses to stay. Once she even barged into my office ... " She told Natalie story after story. Natalie sat there in shock. "Olivia, you're too kind. You still gave them water and cookies! If it were me, and my husband had died, the first thing I'd do is wipe that whole family out." Olivia gave a sad smile. "Daniel was a devoted son. Even if I hated her, I still had to respect her." Natalie didn't argue, but deep down she thought, Well, at least I helped Olivia get a little payback. Dorothy won't last much longer after everything she's been through. Natalie was right. Two days later, Dorothy couldn't hold on anymore. On her deathbed, she whispered to Brandon, "Olivia won't help you anymore. From now on, you can only depend on yourself. Don't pick fights with the people here." Brandon clutched her hand, sobbing. "Mom, what'll I do if you're gone? You didn't even bring me food!" He wasn't crying for his mother—he was crying because he was afraid of starving. Dorothy stared at him with regret. Only now did she realize that spoiling him had ruined him. Brandon was already 23, yet he couldn't live on his own.But it was too late. She couldn't change the past. All she could do was leave him with a few last words. "Don't ... don't stay out in the sun. Watch out ... for heatstroke. Don't fight with neighbors. Don't ... propose marriage ... Find your own food ... " She never finished. Her breath slipped away. With Dorothy gone, the condo building grew quiet again. Brandon disappeared. Nobody saw him anymore. Not long after, the temperature spiked again. From 120°F back up to 140°F. The building turned into an oven. Even at night, no one dared to step outside. One evening, Natalie was watching a movie when she heard Harold banging on the door. "Idol! Olivia!" Natalie and Olivia came out together. Harold grinned at them. "My mom and I would love for you both to come to our place tomorrow!" They exchanged a look. Neither of them had ever been to Harold's apartment. "What made you think of inviting us over?" Harold scratched his head, embarrassed. "Tomorrow's my birthday. And it just so happens our vegetable garden had a huge harvest. My mom's cooking up a big dinner. We want you two to join us." Olivia's face lit up. "Really? Happy birthday! I'll be there for sure." She'd been worn down by Dorothy and Brandon for so long. The thought of a dinner with friends filled her with joy. Natalie smiled. "What time?" Harold thought. "Seven o'clock. It should be a little cooler by then, and it won't mess with your sleep."It was settled. The next day, both women showed up with gifts. Olivia brought a stash of snacks she had been saving for herself. Natalie brought chemical reagents she'd scavenged from Tyro Tech Tower. Most people would've seen them as junk, but to Harold, they were treasures. He was always tinkering with experiments, and chemicals were almost impossible to find these days.