18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 505

Back in the day, when Stella and Jasper were just friends skirting around the edges of something more, she was pretty resistant to getting involved with anyone. Looking back now, she couldn't quite wrap her head around how Jasper had managed to stick around through all her hesitations.

It was wild to think that it had already been ten years since the disaster turned their world upside down.

These days, Stella's only company were her three furry friends: Jasper, Rosie, and Cooper. Jasper had been a constant through a decade filled with countless heartbreaks and losses.

Overwhelmed with gratitude, Stella found herself tearing up.

Jasper, surprised, asked, "Hey, what's wrong?"

She'd just turned another year older, that's all.

Stella never fussed much about her wardrobe, always choosing comfort over style —after all, in a post-apocalyptic world, standing out too much was a bad idea.

But when it came to skincare, she didn't skimp. She had access to all sorts of face masks, creams, and luxury beauty products, and she used them liberally. So, at thirty, she still looked remarkably young, though not quite as fresh-faced as she did at twenty.

It wasn't until they got together that Jasper realized how much women could worry about their age. But he never cared, always telling her, "Stella, everyone gets older. Whether it's ten years or twenty, I'll be right here with you, growing old together."

His words always brightened her mood.

Over time, Jasper had changed too. Stella had always been drawn to his looks, and while he had matured from a fresh-faced young man to a more seasoned one, he had become like a fine wine-less fresh but rich in character.

The way they looked at each other had grown more intimate, a love deepening with every shared moment.

Gifts? Whether they were things Jasper had stockpiled or items they'd scavenged over the years, they all ended up in their cozy haven, Arcadia.

These days, Jasper was as clean as a whistle, financially speaking.

But a decade of sharing a bed had seen both their emotional intelligence and resilience grow.

In a smooth move, Jasper pulled Stella onto his lap and with a playful tilt of his hips, he teased, "Your gift is right here, haven't you noticed?"

Stella almost burst out laughing.

The cheeky guy was getting smoother by the day.

a decade of scarcity, who wouldn't welcome a

relationship had solidified over ten years, even if the initial passion had mellowed compared to the fiercely

breathing each

really connected in quite a

on the ocean of despair, living with the chill of the Arctic, they

by Jasper, Stella suddenly felt

she quipped, "Let me check the goods. If

shape, his abs

while since they'd been intimate, and Jasper

wasn't soundproof, and between Rosie and the nosy neighbors, every little

months of abstinence, Stella wasn't holding

overwhelming, and it took her quite a

from the room, it

years, Stella had transformed from a delicate

wagging their tails, with three little ones slowly crawling out of their nest, now opening their eyes for

aloof eyes. The mixed-breed puppies were strikingly beautiful, with their chubby little

in the Arctic had become more peaceful. A few other families

keeping to

closest living over

made from the snow, leading to

the folks in the white robes seem to be cozying up with the

through supplies quickly. They carried an air of entitlement

had to pay

was either blanketed in snow or whipped by fierce winds, Rosie

needed, and Stella

the cake and whipping cream, eventually crafting a delicate

but thankfully, due to the distant neighbors and a

but sometimes a touch of ceremony

makeup, and styled her hair. Her body was toned from constant exercise,

stepped out to find Jasper unable to take his eyes off her, and even Cooper was captivated, barking

all dolled up, was amazed, "Sis, you

Stella had transformed into someone else, her beauty

snapping out of his daze, said, "Sit down, let's