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

further but instead told the nearby soldier, "The patient is too agitated for questioning. Take her away, please." Lillian, in her agitation, desperately resisted and

protective gear, effortlessly

you will

know you, I promise

the examination room and noting the early hour,

activity zones where patients with milder conditions and stable emotions were allowed to exercise, assisted by counselors to help them regulate their feelings. As

violent and began to beat another

quickly intervened, separating the aggressor and confining them to an

how Lillian might have gotten

always lived by clinging to others, making it difficult for her to survive

she would suffer

chose not to mention her encounter with Lillian to

There was no need.

even greater scarcity of medicines. Limited resources

abundant medical resources, breakthroughs for this kind of mutation

didn't oppose

the variety of herbs in the

success

glands from the yellow croaker and ribbonfish,

baking, the edible sea fish greatly alleviated

fought over a scrap of food,

started to bloom

in her dormitory when a nurse's knock

weren't soundproof, and with the two of them alone, it had been a long time since they had a chance for an intimate conversation. Now was the perfect

dressed, and headed

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

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

tug at her

a man in worn military garb looking

knitted together.

"Big sis, it's me."

familiar, but the man's face was

hurt, the man said, "Am I