Grace's suggestion hung in the air like a stone dropped into still water—the ripples spreading through the room in uncomfortable waves.
"My family?" Elric repeated, his voice carrying genuine surprise for the first time that evening.
No one else had thought of it. They had all been focused on their own families, their own safety, their own priorities. But Grace had thought of his.
Elric exhaled slowly, his shoulders dropping slightly as he processed the unexpected consideration.
"...I don't have a family to return to."
The room went completely quiet. All five women looked at him intently, waiting for an explanation they suddenly realized they'd never asked for.
Elric spoke evenly—not with pain or self-pity, just stating facts as they were.
"I grew up in Saint Mary's Orphanage on the east side of the city. Never knew my parents—no records, no names, nothing. The only person I was close to was an older girl there. We called each other siblings, but we weren't blood related. When we were both given away to different families, I never saw her again."
He paused, his jaw tightening almost imperceptibly.
"I was adopted at fifteen by the Carter family. But they didn't adopt me because they wanted a son or valued the idea of family. They needed a live-in worker. A caretaker for their actual biological children. A tool they could use without paying wages."
Years of unpaid labor. No warmth. No affection. No genuine bond or connection. Just cold exploitation disguised as charity.
"Two years ago, when I turned eighteen and legally aged out of their custody, I cut all ties and never looked back. I moved into the cheapest dorm room I could find, worked part-time jobs to pay tuition, and built my own life. I don't even know where they are now, and honestly?"
His expression hardened slightly.
"I don't care to find out."
He leaned back in his chair, his tone becoming flat and emotionless.
"If they're alive somewhere in this apocalypse, fine. If they're not, that's also fine. They were never my family—not in any way that actually mattered."
Grace lowered her eyes immediately, clearly feeling guilty for inadvertently bringing up painful memories. Her voice was soft and apologetic. "I'm sorry, Elric. I didn't know. I shouldn't have assumed—"
"You had no way of knowing," Elric interrupted calmly. "It's not something I talk about. Ever. There's no reason to."
Jenna stopped her usual fidgeting completely, for once showing genuine empathy instead of her typical impulsive energy. She looked down at her hands, suddenly quiet.
Shay's shoulders softened with understanding—she knew intimately what it felt like to lose everything that defined you, to have your identity stripped away by circumstances beyond your control.
Even Elsa simply filed away the information quietly, one more critical piece in her growing psychological map of the man who now controlled all their fates.
Natasha watched Elric carefully, her expression thoughtful and calculating. After a moment, she spoke.
"Elric," Natasha said, leaning slightly forward with renewed purpose in her voice. "Then let me suggest a different location. Not my family's home—but somewhere potentially much better for our survival."
Her tone held absolute certainty, the confidence of someone presenting a carefully considered plan.
"The Silverleaf Estates on the west end of the city. It's a luxury gated high-rise community—twelve stories, full perimeter security, backup generators, water filtration systems. Before the outbreak, it was where a lot of influencers, models, and wealthy young professionals lived."
She paused deliberately for effect.
There is 50 chapter Advance, in my patreon. If you are interested can check it out.
patreon.com/B_A_3439