Harold paused, then added, "It could even feel like a burden. Really annoying." Natalie thought for a moment. She often ran away, but she never once felt annoyed by Cassian. Afraid to think deeper, she quickly changed the subject. "Why is everyone suddenly so focused on Cassian?" Harold shook his head. "We're not focused on him. We're focused on you." Natalie doesn't get it. "On me? What does that have to do with him?" Harold stared at her like she was hopeless. "Of course it does! We want you to be happy." Natalie blinked, even more confused. "Happy?" In their eyes, Cassian was the one who could make her happy? Ghania smirked while sealing up the ravioli. "Funny, you're usually sharp, but when it comes to this, you're completely clueless." Natalie pursed her lips. "I think in times like these, just staying alive already counts as happiness." Ghania shook her head with a sigh, her tone soft but firm. "Living longer doesn't make you happy. Sometimes one beautiful minute is worth more than a whole year of nothing. Life is about those few moments that stay with you." Her eyes lingered on Natalie as she said it. Natalie's mind instantly replayed last night—the moment her heart pounded so wildly she thought it would burst. She had never felt that before.None of them brought up the topic again. Instead, the three of them kept working on the ravioli while talking about the acid rain outside. Harold said, "This rain isn't stopping anytime soon." Natalie nodded. "Yeah. Someone even came to my door today begging for food. I scared them off." Ghania frowned. "If they came once, they'll come again. With no food left in the building, people will turn their eyes on us sooner or later." Natalie hesitated. "Maybe ... there's something to eat." Mother and son exchanged a look, understanding what she meant. Ghania let out a long sigh. "Good thing these are vegan ravioli that are filled with spinach. Otherwise, I'd lose my appetite." Harold held one up and muttered, "First floods, then the Great Heat, and now acid rain. Who knows what's next?" Natalie knew the answer, but she couldn't say it. Ghania set aside some of the ravioli, tucked them into the freezer, and said quietly, "Let's hope nothing else comes." By the time the three of them finished making all the ravioli, the sun was already setting. Natalie thought it was time to head home, but Ghania stopped her. "How can you just work and not enjoy the fruit of your labor? Stay here and have dinner before you go." Natalie waved her hand. "That's okay, Ghania." Ghania looked at her with a smile. "Is someone waiting for you at home?" Natalie flushed. "Don't say things like that." Then she sat back down. "I'll stay and eat with you."Ghania chuckled but didn't say anything more. When the ravioli was ready, Harold handed her a thermal container. Natalie blinked. "What's this?" Ghania grinned. "We don't have enough dinnerware at my place. Take it home and eat there." She winked. "It's enough for two." Natalie knew she was teasing her. Of course they had enough dinnerware. But after hesitating, she said her goodbyes and left. Unit 1402. As soon as she entered the apartment, Lucky, Baron, and Cash rushed out to greet her with happy noises. Natalie glanced inside the house. Cassian was sitting alone at the dining table, with dinner already laid out in front of him. Is he waiting for me? She had disappeared all afternoon without a word. He must have felt lost. Watching him sit there so quietly, looking a little lonely, made her take pity on him. She considered bringing the ravioli straight over, but then she remembered what Ghania had said—love always makes you feel like you owe something. Did that mean she really liked him? Cassian noticed her lingering by the door after changing her shoes. He spoke first. "Hey." Natalie nodded. "Hi."He didn't ask where she'd been. Instead, his eyes went to the container in her hands. "What's that?" Natalie walked over and opened the lid. "Ravioli. Ghania made them." Cassian raised a brow. "You already ate?" Natalie shook her head. "Not yet." Cassian's expression softened; he seemed to be in a good mood. "So you brought them back just to eat with me?" Natalie shot him a glare. "Go get some plates." He laughed quietly. "All right." They ate together. None of them said anything. Then, they moved to the couch in the living room. The TV played in front of them, but Natalie didn't catch a single word of the show. The man sitting beside her filled up all the space in her mind. She kept sneaking glances at him. The next time she tried, Cassian suddenly leaned closer. He braced one hand on the back of the couch, caging her in. "Nattie," his voice brushed against her ear, "what's going on in the show?" Natalie stared at his face, now only inches away. Without thinking, she told the truth. "I don't know."