Mia's POV
The beef stew tasted exactly the way I remembered.
Warm. Rich. Comforting.
For a moment, I allowed myself to enjoy it.
Mom was smiling. Dad was arguing dramatically about who got the bigger portion of meat. It felt normal.
Too normal.
And that made my chest tighten.
I put my spoon down.
"Mom. Dad. I need to tell you something."
They both looked at me immediately.
Serious.
I inhaled slowly.
"I know the future."
Silence.
"I know it sounds impossible," I continued. "But I didn't guess it. I lived it."
Their expressions didn't change. They were listening.
"I died once already."
Mom's hand tightened around her fork.
"There will be a zombie outbreak. Society will collapse. There will be looting. Violence. Chaos." My voice stayed steady. "You both… died protecting me."
Dad didn't laugh.
He didn't question me.
Instead, he asked quietly.
"What do we need to do?"
Tears burned behind my eyes.
"You believe me?"
Mom reached across the table and held my hand. "You've never looked at us like this before. If you say it's real, then it is."
Dad nodded firmly. "We prepare."
Relief flooded through me.
"I plan to buy land in a remote area," I said. "Somewhere isolated. Safe. I'll ask for help from Luis Ray."
Mom blinked. "Are you two talking again?"
"Yes," I admitted. "We met earlier at a café near our office buildings. I haven't told him everything yet… but I plan to."
Dad frowned slightly. "Does he know about the future?"
"Not fully. But I warned him about the Hawaii island deal. If he investigates, he'll find proof."
They exchanged looks.
"We've known his parents for years," Mom said. "If anyone would help, it's that family."
Then I continued.
"And there's something else."
I told them about Kevin.
About Chelsea.
About the betrayal.
Dad's expression darkened instantly. "I'll fire him tomorrow."
"No," I said firmly.
Both of them looked at me.
"Let me handle it."
Dad's jaw tightened. "Mia.."
"I won't act recklessly," I assured them. "But I want him to lose everything without understanding how."
Mom's eyes softened.
"Revenge isn't evil," she said gently. "But don't let anger consume you."
I stood and hugged her tightly. "I won't, Mom."
Dad joined the embrace, wrapping his arms around both of us.
Then he cleared his throat dramatically.
"Is there space left for dessert?"
I pulled back and grinned.
"Yes. For ice cream."
For tonight,
We were still a family.
And this time,
I will save them.
Luis Ray's POV
I didn't wait a week.
By sunrise, I had already ordered a private investigation into the Hawaii island acquisition.
The property currently negotiated under Felix Hill's development proposal, intended to become a luxury resort.
Too rushed.
Too quiet.
By the next morning, the reports were on my desk.
And Mia was right.
Seismic instability beneath the island's eastern ridge.
Suppressed geological recommendations.
A projected high-risk window within three months.
If the resort construction began,
The native community living there would lose everything.
Friends of mine.
Families who trusted my word.
My jaw tightened.
"Prepare a revised offer," I instructed Pablo. "Increase the bid to the government."
Pablo blinked. "Sir? That will reduce projected margins."
"I'm not buying it for profit."
I'm buying it to protect them.
By 9:00 a.m., I made the call.
It rang twice.
Then,
"Hello?"
"It's Luis."
A pause.
"Hello, Luis," she replied calmly. "So… you can help me?"
I almost smiled.
"Yes," I said. "Let's have lunch. We need to discuss everything properly."
She agreed immediately.
"Is my office alright?" I asked. "I'll have my secretary pick you up."
"No need," she said. "Our buildings are facing each other. I can walk."
Of course she could.
"Alright. See you later."
I ended the call.
"Cancel my lunch meeting," I told Pablo.
His face paled. "Sir, that's with the international investors."
"Reschedule."
He hesitated but nodded.
As the office quieted, I leaned back in my chair.
This wasn't just about an island anymore.
Or an investment.
Or even the future.
I was looking forward to lunch.
And that realization,
Was far more dangerous than seismic activity.