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?

The more she feared, the less she

yet you threw Stella into an orphanage. Why did

You haven't lived with her; you don't know her temperament. Back in Griffith, because Julia's alpaca

hired some outsiders. Who knew they'd misunderstand and try to kill Stella to gain favor? You saw what

The last flicker of hope in his eyes went out. "As her mother, you must have known what Julia

he might have lost control. But time had tempered his rage; it

into this, he had to accept some responsibility. Learning that Stella was his biological daughter, Daniel took the chance to meet her. She was independent and strong, surviving the apocalypse

acknowledge Stella or how to handle Lillian when she showed such

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

Rosie had recorded a video, asked,

hadn't, but he let her believe he had. Lillian, as if choked, turned pale, unable

formidable. No matter what she said, he wouldn't believe her

face to show Stella, but did I have a choice? I wanted the Thompsons to prosper, I wanted to marry and be happy with you,

blankly at his face, "Daniel,

for their own survival, could abandon their own flesh and blood,

countered, "Does it matter

refused to believe it, now fully disheartened, "What do you plan to do with

will take you to the official Goldbridge compound in half

any longer, pushing open the door