Building My Empire in the Frozen Apocalypse (Riley Carter) novel Chapter 75

7:55 pm ●●●

Chapter 75 Warmth and Words

Chapter 75 Warmth and Words

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Even after a full day of having electricity, Riley was still utterly captivated by the simple power of pushing back the darkness with just the touch of a switch.

She had used three of the basic home appliance kits so far. First, she wired up the main cabin with proper lights, then claimed two more kits for a large electric kettle and a hot plate.

She decided to save the remaining two kits for later–partly because she hadn’t pinned down what else she truly needed, and partly because with only one wind turbine running, she couldn’t afford to overload the system just yet.

Neeko shifted back into human form like it was second nature. Before Riley could even speak, she was already at the stone fireplace, tossing in several pieces of seasoned oak.

“Crackle.”

Flames leapt to life, and warmth began slowly seeping back into the room.

Riley shrugged off her heavy work coat and pull

I her goggles down around her neck, sinking into the deep cushions of the worn-

in leather sofa with a long, relieved sigh.

“C’mere, Neeko.”

She picked up the tablet and pulled up a playlist of smooth, easy–listening instrumentals.

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The lazy notes of a saxophone drifted through the warm wooden space, a stark contrast to the howling storm still raging outside.

“Let’s go over a few things from

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sterday,” Riley said, pointing to a picture on the screen. “What’s this?”

Neeko blinked her mismatched eyes, ears twitching thoughtfully. She worked her jaw, clearly concentrating on shaping the sounds before letting out a rough, tentative word, “H…home.”

“That’s right, home.”

ave

r head an affectionate rub. “And who am I?”

Neeko answered quicker this time, her eyes brightening.

“Riley.”

“And?”

Tilting her head, Neeko seemed to think it over. Then, suddenly, she wrapped both arms around Riley’s leg, pressing her cheek against Riley’s jeans, and let out a soft, contented hum from her throat.

“Love.”

Riley paused, then couldn’t help but laugh softly.

“You can call me Riley, or Riri, whichever,” she corrected gently. “But really… whatever feels right to you.”

Neeko seemed to know she’d gotten it right anyway. She gazed up at Riley, eyes sparkling, her tail sweeping happily across the braided rug.

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:55 pm

Chapter 75 Warmth and Words

“Good job. Here—you can play with it for a bit.” Smiling, Riley handed her the tablet.

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Even though Neeko loved swiping through videos she didn’t fully understand, she’d learned good boundaries. She always waited for permission first.

She was nothing like the feral, hissing creature Riley had first met. Wild things don’t learn to trust–not unless you feed them, shelter them, and give them a reason to stay.

Night deepened.

Riley didn’t turn the lights off completely, just dimmed them to a soft glow.

For a while, she and Neeko sat side–by–side against the sofa, scrolling together through short video clips.

“Alright, time we got some sleep.”

“Okay!”

With the white noise of the wind and the steady crackle of the fireplace, Riley drifted off, Neeko curled against her chest in the form

of a small white cat.

The next morning.

Riley didn’t wake to an alarm. She was jolted awake by a terrifying sound.

“Woooo–!!!”

She bolted upright, her hand instinctively diving under the pillow for her axe.

“Meow!”

The little white cat in her arms startled too, transforming back in a blur of motion.

Riley’s eyes shot to the window.

The once–clear panes were now completely sealed over with a thick, furred frost. She couldn’t see a thing outside–only the relentless, bone–chilling scream of the wind.

“What in the world…?”

Riley threw on her layers and hurried to the door.

She grabbed the handle and twisted hard.

It didn’t move.

The door seam had frozen shut, sealed by ice and driven snow from the night’s storm.

Riley frowned, her strength spiking as she braced herself and yanked with all her might.

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Chapter 75 Warmth and Words

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“Crack-”

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