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.

said,

is too agitated for questioning. Take her away, please." Lillian, in her agitation, desperately resisted and tried to lunge at Stella, aiming to scratch and bite the

soldiers, clad in their protective gear, effortlessly subdued her and dragged

distress, "Stella, you will not die

though I don't know you, I

the examination room and noting the early hour, Collin went to inspect other

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

survivor had become violent and began to

separating the aggressor and confining them to

had a vague idea of how

had always lived by clinging to others, making it difficult for her to survive in such harsh conditions. For someone like her, life was the

would suffer

chose not to mention her encounter

There was no need.

medical staff and an even greater scarcity of

abundant medical resources, breakthroughs for this kind of mutation were rare, let alone in a

on this subject, but she didn't oppose

on, and the variety of herbs

success

toxic glands from the yellow croaker and ribbonfish, ensuring they were safe to eat

edible sea fish greatly

no longer fought over a scrap of food, and gaunt faces began to

started to

in her dormitory when a nurse's knock

the two of them alone, it had been a long time since they had a chance for an intimate conversation.

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

was the usual construction site injury, and this time it was a soldier, soaked in

mask and headed to the operating room, her tone was clipped

felt a tug

a man in worn military garb looking at her with

together. Who could this

"Big sis, it's me."

familiar, but the man's face was

man said, "Am I really so insignificant to you,