Chapter 114

Thinking it over, Jasper said, "I grew up with loving parents, got a good education and landed a steady job. Nothing extraordinary."

Yeah right, Jasper was playing coy. He obviously had a story to tell.

Nobody believed his brief summary, not even the dog, who barked as if in disbelief. But with his strong presence and Stella's silence, no one dared to probe further.

"Eat up," Stella urged. "The food's going to get cold."

Taking the hint, Cody quickly added, "Yeah, let's dig in."

They all tucked into the juicy, succulent pot roast, feeling like it had somehow elevated their spirits in these end times.

Lukas, lost in the delicious flavors, asked, "Stella, Christmas is coming up, how are we planning to celebrate?"

Stella didn't mind. They could celebrate however they wanted.

Angela suggested, "How about we all gather and light a fire? It'll be more festive."

Angela, unlike the others, had a home to miss. Even if she couldn't return, she longed to celebrate Christmas in her own way.

Lukas felt a pang of sadness. His wife had promised to take him to meet her parents during the holidays, but then disaster struck. Thinking of his wife's feelings, he quickly agreed, "We've had enough hardships. Let's celebrate together. Who knows, maybe things will be back to normal next year."

Stella preferred quiet, as any commotion could attract danger in these times. But she had spent so much time cooped up in the apartment. Even though she practiced with Jasper every day, he was a man of few words. Besides providing professional training guidance, he didn't say much.

either. Rosie clapped her hands in excitement, "Great! I

"Yes, this year I won't be working, so I can spend Christmas with

many more to come. After finishing their roast and

Stella's cooking skills to enjoy such a

it," Stella warned, "I don't

without your cooking skills,

modestly replied, "Jasper cooked the pot roast; it had nothing to do

day you have to teach me how to cook for

thought,

shower, Stella settled down with a book and a box

that the box was heart-shaped. Probably just a marketing trick,

celebrations. But the nearby Griffith Mountain had been stripped clean of trees. The closest woodlands, Ivywood Estates, was a day's trip away. "Stella, are you coming?"

rather freeze," Stella

and I

suggested, "Wood

They didn't know how to

explained how

was lost. But Cody,

return without several hundred pounds of charcoal. "Stella,

cautioned, "Stay safe and don't

them, capable of taking down anyone. Besides, they

have some fun, but in the end, it resisted the temptation and firmly

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