In Selina's bedroom, the first episode of Don't Die Today was finally ready.
Tavian had recorded several narration attempts, and Selina was reviewing the completed animation one last time.
Onscreen, Penny struggled to lift an enormous emergency backpack. Her tiny arms trembled beneath its weight as she took two unsteady steps, only for the bag to tip backward and send her sprawling across the floor. A can of beans tumbled out, bounced against her forehead, and rolled away while the narration explained why emergency bags needed to be light enough to carry.
Tavian burst out laughing, even though he'd watched the scene dozens of times.
"I'm never getting tired of that."
"You said that yesterday."
"And I was right yesterday."
Selina smiled despite herself and continued reviewing the video.
The next section covered drinking water, including a scene where Penny considered filling her bottle from a suspicious puddle. A large warning symbol appeared before she could take a sip, followed by a simple explanation of why floodwater could contain sewage, chemicals, and other contaminants.
The animation was humorous, but Selina had checked the information carefully. She didn't want viewers remembering the jokes while learning something incorrect.
When the final scene ended, both twins remained quiet for a moment.
Tavian was the first to speak.
"So that's it?"
Selina nodded. "That's it."
They had finished their first video.
She exported the completed file, then opened the channel page they'd created under the name Don't Die Today. The profile picture featured Penny holding her oversized backpack, and the description promised simple emergency advice delivered through unfortunate cartoon decisions.
Tavian leaned closer as Selina entered the title.
Emergency Bags: What NOT to Pack | Don't Die Today Ep. 1
"Should we put a warning that Penny gets injured?" he asked.
"She gets hit by a cartoon can of beans."
"Still an injury."
"She'll survive."
"Bold prediction."
Selina rolled her eyes and clicked the upload button.
They watched the progress bar advance until the video was published. Tavian immediately opened the channel on his phone, while Selina prepared a shorter clip for Zippit.
For several minutes, nothing happened.
Then the view count changed.
"One!" Tavian announced.
Selina looked over. "That's you."
"Still counts."
A few minutes later, the number increased to three.
"Two strangers," Tavian said proudly.
"Possibly."
"Don't ruin this."
By the time they finished posting the short clip, the video had collected eleven views. Nobody had commented, and the channel had gained no subscribers beyond the accounts they'd used to test it.
Selina leaned back in her chair.
"Well, we're officially content creators."
Tavian nodded solemnly. "Famous people."
"Eleven views."
"Every empire starts somewhere."
She laughed and closed the analytics page.
Neither of them mentioned the upload at dinner.
Kaelen received Adrian's call shortly before five.
He was in his home office reviewing the third warehouse's lease agreement when his phone rang.
"Any news?" he asked.
"Regarding Pinnacle Tower, yes. Cortell Holdings still hasn't provided the financing confirmation required under its purchase agreement."
Kaelen set down his pen.
"Has the deadline passed?"
"Not yet. Their contractual deadline is approaching, and the seller's attorney has requested an update. Our attorney is reviewing the relevant provisions, but the seller can't simply disregard the existing agreement."
"Understood."
"The backup offer remains on file. If Cortell fails to satisfy its obligations and the seller becomes legally entitled to terminate, we'll be contacted."
Kaelen leaned back in his chair. "Any indication they're negotiating an extension?"
"Nothing confirmed. Their representatives have been communicating with the seller, but we haven't been given details."
"Then we wait."
"Yes. I've also confirmed that our proof of funds and proposed closing schedule are current. We can move quickly if the property becomes available."
"Good work, Adrian."
After ending the call, Kaelen opened the folder containing the penthouse documents.
Floor 22 remained the family's most important unresolved property acquisition. Jules had been unusually insistent about securing it, and although she'd explained its strategic value, Kaelen suspected there were additional reasons she hadn't shared.
He didn't intend to pressure her for those details.
For now, the best thing he could do was ensure they were ready to purchase the property if the opportunity arose.
He sent Jules a brief message.
No change in ownership status. Cortell's financing deadline is approaching. Our backup offer remains active.
Her reply arrived several minutes later.
Thanks, Dad. Let me know immediately if the contract is released.
Kaelen placed his phone beside the documents and returned to the warehouse lease.
Dinner that evening was filled with conversations about the family's individual activities.
Daric and Jorin discussed their work at the warehouse, while Selina and Tavian exchanged amused glances whenever someone mentioned emergency supplies.
Amira described a drawing she'd made, and Kaelith insisted that his stuffed rabbit needed a chair of its own.
Jules listened while serving the rice, occasionally answering questions about the vegetables she was growing.
When Kaelen mentioned the possibility of purchasing a yacht, Jorin nearly dropped his fork.
"A yacht?"
"We're considering several larger vessels," Kaelen replied.
"Like an actual yacht? With bedrooms and everything?"
"Potentially."
Tavian leaned forward. "Can it have a swimming pool?"
"We're not buying a yacht for the swimming pool."
"So that's not a no."
Daric laughed while Amira immediately began asking whether the yacht could have a slide.
Kaelen shook his head. "We haven't even selected one yet."
Jules considered the idea with interest. A larger vessel could be useful during the flooding, particularly if it had adequate fuel storage, independent power, and facilities for extended occupancy.
However, she also knew that large boats would be difficult to maneuver through submerged streets and around damaged buildings. They would need smaller craft for transportation between locations.
She mentioned those considerations to her father, who assured her that he was already looking into different types of vessels.
Satisfied, Jules returned her attention to dinner.
Afterward, she helped Serina clear the table.
Her mother had been unusually quiet throughout the meal, although Jules hadn't paid much attention to it.
"Did you finish working on your garden?" Serina asked while rinsing a plate.
"For today. I found a problem with the lettuce, but I corrected it."
"What happened?"
"I planted the seeds too close together. Some of the seedlings were getting crowded."
Serina smiled. "Sounds like you're learning."
"I am. There's a lot more involved than I expected."
"That's usually how it goes when you start something new."
Jules dried the plate and placed it in the cabinet.
For a moment, they worked together in silence.
Then Serina asked, "Have you thought about doing anything this week that doesn't involve the dimension?"
Jules glanced toward her.
"Not really. Why?"
"I was thinking we could have a family movie night. We haven't done one in a while."
"That sounds fine."
"Friday, perhaps?"
Jules considered the suggestion. Friday wasn't particularly different from any other day for her, although she had several experiments she wanted to monitor.
"I suppose so."
Serina studied her expression.
"You don't sound very interested."
"It's not that. I just haven't thought about it."
"Well, you don't need to plan anything. Just come downstairs and watch a movie with us."
Jules nodded. "Okay."
Serina returned to the dishes, but the conversation left her unsettled.
Her daughter had agreed, yet she hadn't shown much enthusiasm. It was as though spending an evening with the family had become something Jules needed to be reminded to do.
Later, after the kitchen was clean, Jules headed upstairs with her notebook.
Kaelith was sitting on the living-room carpet beside Amira, his toy cars arranged in a crooked line.
When he saw Jules approaching the stairs, he lifted the red car.
"Race?"
Jules paused.
She had forgotten again.
"Tomorrow, Kaelith. I'm busy right now."
The little boy looked down at his car.
"You said today."
"I know. I'm sorry."
She gave him a small smile before continuing upstairs.
Amira watched her go, then looked toward her younger brother.
"I'll race with you."
Kaelith nodded, but he kept glancing toward the staircase.
Serina had witnessed the exchange from the kitchen doorway.
She remembered how excited Kaelith had been that morning, waiting for Jules to finish breakfast. She also remembered how quickly Jules had returned to her work without giving the promised game another thought.
It wasn't the first time.
And that was what worried her.
Later, when Kaelen joined her in the kitchen, he found her standing beside the counter with an untouched cup of tea.
"Everything all right?" he asked.
Serina looked toward the staircase.
"Have you noticed how little Jules spends time with the younger ones lately?"
Kaelen considered the question.
"She's been busy."
"I know. But Kaelith has been asking her to play since yesterday. She keeps promising him later, and later never comes."
Kaelen glanced toward the living room, where Amira was now racing toy cars with her little brother.
Serina continued quietly. "I understand that she has things she wants to accomplish, but I'm worried she's becoming so absorbed in them that she doesn't notice what's happening around her."
He rested a hand against the counter.
"Have you talked to her?"
"Not properly. I asked about having a movie night, and she agreed, but I don't think she understood why I was asking."
Kaelen looked thoughtful.
He had seen how much Jules had changed recently, but he hadn't paid much attention to the smaller things Serina was describing.
"Maybe we should speak to her together," he suggested.
"Eventually. I don't want her to think we're criticizing her for everything she's doing."
"Then we'll find the right time."
Serina nodded, although her gaze remained on the stairs.
Upstairs, Jules had already opened her notebook and begun reviewing the results of her soil experiment. She wanted to compare the seedlings after another period of growth and determine whether the dimension's fertility varied across different areas.
She made several notes, checked the time, and prepared to return to the cottage.
Downstairs, Kaelith's laughter drifted faintly through the house as Amira declared herself the winner of another race.
Jules heard the sound but remained focused on her work.
She had promised to play with him tomorrow.
And tomorrow, she intended to remember.