18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 399

Thinking about the tough times Stella went through in the orphanage, Daniel couldn't shake the guilt.

The truth was out in the open. Lillian, with tears streaming down her face, finally broke down, "I'm sorry, I did lie to you. When I was on that operating table, realizing the child had your blood, I just couldn't go through with it. I kept hoping you'd come back and help me through it, but you never did. The Thompsons took me in and I couldn't bear to see the family fall apart. So, I had to agree to the arranged marriage. But the Rileys, the old guard, would never accept this child. I couldn't wait any longer, my parents kept pressuring me, so I had to secretly give birth and send her to the orphanage.

When you came back, I wanted to tell you the truth, but the Thompsons had already suspected something was up. If I told you, it would've blown everything. From the start, it was always you I loved, wanting to marry and have kids with you. But can you save the Thompson family?"

Her words were gut-wrenching, her tears showing her pain. But Daniel couldn't believe her anymore.

"You chose to hide it because you were scared I'd mess things up with the Rileys."

She knew he wasn't the type to cling, but she heartlessly left Stella to fend for herself in the orphanage to avoid any complications.

"I didn't, you've got it all wrong."

"Even if you feared the Rileys finding out, what about after the wedding?"

Her tears kept flowing, but they no longer moved him; instead, they fueled his anger. "You had thirty years to tell the truth. Why didn't you?"

Lillian was speechless, trying to speak but couldn't find the words.

She had chances, but how could she say it? Admit to Daniel that even after getting married, she couldn't forget him? If he knew she abandoned their daughter in an orphanage, would he think she was selfish, cold-hearted?

scared. The more she feared, the

a tiger doesn't abandon its cubs, yet you threw Stella into an orphanage.

really what you think of me?" Lillian's voice was full of pain, her eyes blurry with tears. "I may have ignored Stella, but she's my flesh and blood. Why would I want to kill her? You haven't lived with her; you don't know her temperament. Back in Griffith, because Julia's alpaca spat at her, she beat her publicly and forced her

became enemies, and Julia held a grudge. At the base, she thought to give Stella a taste of hardship, so she hired some outsiders. Who knew they'd misunderstand and try to kill Stella to gain favor? You saw what happened today. Not

shocked by her loss of humanity. The last flicker of hope in his eyes went out. "As

have lost control. But time had tempered his rage; it couldn't be

was independent and strong, surviving the apocalypse and finding a life partner. With disaster looming, he had his own duties and couldn't be the father Stella needed. Moreover, he knew Stella didn't

hadn't decided whether to acknowledge Stella or how to handle

differently?" Daniel asked, his disappointment clear, no longer giving her a chance to explain. "Lillian, should I bring out the evidence of

asked, "Did you install surveillance in

had. Lillian, as if choked, turned

but Daniel had become even more formidable. No

long silence, she gave a bitter smile and sighed, "Right, I'm not a good mother, and I have no face to show Stella, but did I have a choice? I wanted the Thompsons to prosper, I wanted to marry and be happy

blankly at his face, "Daniel, do you still love

who, for their own survival, could abandon their own flesh and blood, even cruelly seek

it

now fully disheartened, "What do you plan to

was silent, then finally spoke, "Pack your bags. Tom will take you to the official Goldbridge compound in half an

won't go to the official compound," Julia burst in, unable to hold back any longer, pushing open the door excitedly: "Disaster could strike at any moment; going