18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 461

Stella glanced up and saw a gaunt woman standing across the fence. Her sallow face was marked with several nasty scars, and she walked with a pronounced limp. She was so thin that her eyes appeared abnormally large, staring intently at Stella, who was wearing a face mask.

Stella frowned, wondering who this could be.

"Stella, is that really you?" The woman clutched the fence tightly, her voice a mix of emotions. "It's me, your mother."

Stella nearly choked.

Lillian? She was unrecognizable.

Her emaciated frame made the scars on her face look even more grotesque, and her body bore several lumps and bruises. Her clothes were tattered and worn.

It was obvious, even at a glance, that she had fallen on hard times.

She seemed on the verge of collapse, like a camel about to buckle under the weight of its burden. Yet, when she saw Stella, her eyes sparkled with a plea. "Stella, I'm your mother. I gave you life. You have to save me... save me..."

Lillian had always been a clinging vine, dependent on men to survive. Eventually, Daniel had her transferred to the Goldbridge official facility.

Stella had imagined a grim existence for her...

And it seemed her life had indeed been rather grim.

But one had to admit, her vitality was stubborn.

However, Stella wasn't interested in Lillian's miseries, nor did she harbor much satisfaction or resentment in her heart.

Looking at the unrecognizable Lillian, Stella was as calm as if she were facing a stranger.

What did it matter that she had given her life? It wasn't out of Lillian's desire, but necessity.

Her own upbringing had been far from joyful. Only after meeting Jasper did she feel warmth.

For a woman so selfish she contemplated murder to keep her lies from being exposed, Stella thought it was already generous of her not to take her life.

Now, it was fine this way; to live on, living in pain, and hopefully, for a very long time.

Stella said, "I'm

her away, please." Lillian, in her agitation, desperately resisted

protective gear, effortlessly subdued her and dragged

distress, "Stella, you will

"Ma'am, though I don't know you, I

the examination room and noting the early

where patients with milder conditions and stable emotions were allowed to exercise, assisted by counselors to

had become violent and

separating the aggressor and confining them

had a vague idea of how Lillian might have

it difficult for her to

would suffer

chose not to mention

There was no need.

of medicines. Limited resources had to be allocated where they were

medical resources, breakthroughs for this kind of mutation were rare, let

she didn't oppose the decision from above either;

went on, and the variety of herbs in the

success

croaker and ribbonfish, ensuring they

baking, the edible sea fish

survivors no longer fought over a scrap

started to bloom

was napping in her dormitory when a nurse's knock abruptly woke

and with the two of them alone, it had been a long time since they had

away, got dressed, and headed out. "I need to perform

and this time it was a soldier, soaked in blood and brought in by his

operating room, her tone was clipped and professional. "Bring

a tug at her

in worn military garb

brows knitted together. Who could

"Big sis, it's me."

the man's face

said, "Am I really so insignificant to you,