Once Jacob realized it was an earthquake, he lunged forward and grabbed Lillian's leg. Overwhelmed with fear, he managed only to shout, "Wait for me!" before passing out again. When he came to, he glanced at Lillian and grumbled with a trace of resentment. "Why didn't you wait for me? You just ran off on your own." Lillian finally pried herself free and quickly rubbed her numb leg. "When did I ever run off? I've been right here with you the whole time. You've got a fever, and you're talking nonsense. Stop it." Jacob glared at her, then frowned and looked around. "Mom hasn't come home? And where's Rosalie?" Lillian sneered inwardly. That old hag's been gone for a whole day. Natalie must have finished her off by now. What's the point in asking? She didn't answer. Instead, she brushed the dust from her clothes and stood. "Who knows if another aftershock is coming? We need to get out of here." She turned toward the door. Jacob's brow furrowed. "Why are you in such a rush? Can't you see I'm hurt? You won't even give me a hand?" Lillian turned back, her face blank and indifferent. She asked coldly, "That's your way of asking for help?" Jacob stared up at her, unsettled. She looked like a stranger. They had known each other since childhood and spent most of their lives together. His wife had always been soft-spoken. Never once had she talked to him like this. Confused, he muttered, "Why talk about asking? We're husband and wife."But Lillian's usual gentleness was gone, replaced with open impatience. "Husband and wife? Please. When real trouble comes, every couple goes their separate ways." Jacob was stunned. Is this woman really my gentle, thoughtful wife? Had she been possessed by a devil? The harmless rabbit he thought he kept suddenly turned and bitten. A wave of bitterness rose in his chest. Still, the fear of the quake and of death weighed heavier. He swallowed his pride. "Lillian, don't joke around. Help me up. I can't stand on my own." For the first time in his life, Jacob actually pleaded with Lillian for help. Strangely, it made him think of the days when he had been forced to lower his head around Scarlett. Why was it that he could never avoid bowing his head to women? Lillian ignored his pleas. Back then, she tolerated his bossy ways because he had money and supplies. But now, broke and empty-handed, he still wanted to bark orders at her? She gave a cold snort and turned, ready to leave him behind. Lillian rolled her eyes but bent down anyway to help the man up. "Come on. We need to move before this house comes down!" Jacob's skin was raw, and his kneecap shattered. Every step was torture. He leaned against Lillian, gasping for breath as he tried to keep up. As they stumbled forward, he asked again, "Lillian, where's Mom? And Rosalie?" Lillian brushed him off. "Your mom never came back. Rosalie went to look for her.""What do you mean she never came back?" Jacob's voice rose in panic. "Why hasn't she returned? Could she have been hurt during the quake?" Lillian gave a sharp snort. "The quake just hit. The old lady's been gone half the day already." Then a sly smile tugged at her lips. "Maybe Natalie grabbed her." That only made Jacob more frantic. "It wasn't enough that Natalie ruined me? Now she's going after Mom too?" He struggled to keep his balance as he gave more orders. "Rosalie's not as reliable as you. Once we get outside, find a spot to set me down. Go search for them. If you can't find them, come back for me. Then we'll both go to Natalie and demand answers." Lillian stayed silent. She wasn't a fool. She wasn't about to risk her neck for that cranky old woman. Marching into Natalie's place would only earn her a bullet. Jacob noticed her silence and pressed on, his voice taking on a lecturing tone. "I know Mom's been harsh with you. But she's still my mom. She raised me, and that wasn't easy. You should—" Lillian cut him off. "So your wounds don't hurt anymore, huh?" He blinked. "What?" "You've been talking nonstop. I figure you're not in pain anymore." She loosened her grip, ready to let go. "Hey!" Jacob quickly grabbed her arm. "What's with your temper today?" Lillian gave a cold snort and stayed silent. She had always had a temper. The only reason she had bowed her head for so many years was because it suited her. Her eyes shifted, and she sighed. "I'm not just being moody. I'm restless inside." Jacob clenched his jaw, forcing himself through the pain. "Restless about what?" Still holding him up, Lillian answered, "The food we have will last only a few months. With your leg like this, what are we supposed to do after that?" Jacob's tone grew heavy. "My leg's ruined, but you and Rosalie are still fine." Lillian let out a sharp laugh. "So that's it? You expect Rosalie and me to scavenge for supplies just to keep you fed?" Jacob looked at her as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "Of course. Who else? You can't expect Mom to do it. She's old, her legs are weak. We're a family. In hard times, you need to—"