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.

in a decade

initial passion had mellowed compared to

to their love. But now, breathing each other's air day in and day out, any fiery

they hadn't really connected in

the chill of the Arctic, they were always on guard against

teased by Jasper, Stella

the goods. If

was still in shape, his abs firm

they'd been intimate, and Jasper was notably eager, "Shall

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

of abstinence, Stella wasn't holding back,

was overwhelming, and it took her quite a while to catch her

emerged from the room,

had transformed from a delicate blossom into

ones slowly crawling out of their nest, now opening their eyes for the

The mixed-breed puppies were strikingly beautiful, with their chubby little bodies offering

Arctic had become more peaceful. A few other families had

keeping

closest living

igloos made from the snow, leading to a

the folks in the white robes seem to be cozying up with the Russians. Just saw one of them riding a snowmobile over here, looked

carried an air of entitlement and gravitated naturally

one had to pay

snow or whipped by

the ingredients needed, and Stella helped her

baking the cake and

baking filled the air with a delicious scent, but thankfully, due to the distant neighbors and a well-ventilated roof, the aroma didn't

been casual for so long, but sometimes a touch of ceremony

dress, applied light makeup, and styled her hair. Her body was toned from constant exercise, with not an

her appearance, she stepped out to find Jasper unable to take his

seen Stella all dolled up,

if Stella had transformed into someone else, her

daze, said, "Sit