18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 400

After leaving the dispute resolution office, Stella silently made her way back to her detached house in Section B. Her face was a blank slate, but even Cooper could sense her mood was off. Her siblings, Jasper and Rosie, picked up on it too. They were sharp. When they found out Lillian was the wife of a high-ranking official, they finally pieced together Stella's complicated past. Lillian and Julia had plotted to create chaos that would get Stella killed by military crossfire.

Being abandoned at birth was one thing - you could call her parents selfish and cold-hearted and leave it at that. But Lillian colluding to have her own daughter killed? That was beyond heartless; it was monstrous.

Even though Stella had never acknowledged Lillian as her mother, she wasn't a robot. She was human, capable of laughing when happy and crying when sad. The coldness and abuse from her uncle's family still haunted Rosie with scars that hadn't fully healed. Now, Stella's birth mother wanted to kill her, all to protect her own lies and self-interest. In that moment, all Jasper, Rosie, and their dog Cooper could do was offer their companionship and protection.

Back home, Stella headed straight for the bedroom to take a shower, the sound of running water filling the space. She had skipped lunch, and now it was evening. Jasper told Rosie to whip something up so Cooper wouldn't go hungry.

He followed Stella into the bedroom, quietly shutting the door behind him. Jasper picked up a bathrobe and walked into the bathroom. Wrapping his arms around Stella from behind, he whispered, "Are you upset?"

"No."

Not upset, but definitely not emotionless. She felt a suffocating repression that bizarrely made her crave some good old-fashioned barbecue - the kind that could soothe any soul.

Jasper sensed her bottled-up feelings, his warm lips brushing against the nape of her neck, "How about we make some BBQ then?"

Without hesitation, Stella murmured an agreement.

As he leaned in for a kiss, Stella pushed him away, "Shower first."

The bathroom door closed firmly, leaving no one inside.

After an indefinite amount of time, a flushed Stella emerged from the steamy Arcadia, her breath finally steadying after a few moments. She fell into a deep sleep, utterly exhausted.

Now, there was no room for emotion—even if the sky fell, she wouldn't have the strength to open her eyes, let alone get up.

Jasper, on the other hand, was wide awake. He kissed her forehead tenderly and reassured her, "Get some rest. Everything will be behind us when you wake up. Whatever happens, I'll be right there with you to face it."

Rosie had prepared was cold by now, so Jasper

stroked the

back

still feeling

over, "I don't want to

asked, "Mark's downstairs waiting.

Daniel's secretary?

close, "Stella, no matter the outcome, no matter your decision, I'll support you unconditionally. But I hope you choose what makes you happy and at ease,

but she knew what he

him, "You don't

kissed her forehead. "I just want you

rolled her eyes. "Jasper, have you gotten

replied, "Was last night

eager when it

him away, only to find

""How about a rematch?"

lightly, "Dream on." Last night had

and going through her morning routine, Stella changed clothes. She made Mark wait downstairs for over an hour before she finally descended

been a resolution regarding yesterday's incident. The

prepared and stepped into the car.

attention. After half an hour, the path was clear, but as Stella was about

arrived, "Mark, is the official available? There's

urgency, Mark arranged

seemed unlikely they would get their

apologize, this is normal," Mark said politely. "He's simply too busy.

waiting, Stella