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.

a stoic expression, Stella said, "I'm sorry, you must be

questioning. Take her away, please." Lillian, in her

in their protective gear,

in distress, "Stella, you

I don't know you, I promise to live

the early hour, Collin

exercise, assisted

and began to

intervened, separating the aggressor and confining

how Lillian

to survive in such harsh conditions. For someone like her, life was the greatest torment, yet she lacked the courage to end

would

chose not to mention her

There was no need.

staff and an even greater scarcity of medicines. Limited resources had to be allocated where they

this kind of mutation

on this subject, but she didn't oppose the decision from above either;

went on, and the variety of herbs

the success of

glands from the yellow croaker and ribbonfish, ensuring

the edible sea fish greatly alleviated the

over a scrap of food, and gaunt faces began to

to

in her dormitory when a nurse's knock abruptly

a long time since they had a chance for an intimate conversation.

pushed Jasper away, got dressed, and headed out.

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

to the operating room, her tone was clipped and professional. "Bring the patient in,

a tug at

see a man in worn military garb looking at her

brows knitted together.

"Big sis, it's me."

but the man's face was so gaunt

man said, "Am I really