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 of scarcity, who wouldn't welcome a

if the initial passion had

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

truth, they hadn't really connected in

living with the chill of the Arctic, they were always on guard against external threats, and

by Jasper, Stella suddenly felt

check the goods. If they're not up

was still in shape, his abs firm

been intimate, and Jasper

and the nosy neighbors, every little sound was

abstinence, Stella wasn't holding back,

it took her quite a while to

from the

delicate blossom

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

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

the Arctic had become more peaceful.

all keeping

closest living over

in igloos made from the snow,

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

carried an

stay safe, one had to pay their

blanketed in snow or whipped by fierce winds, Rosie decided to make a

all the ingredients needed, and Stella helped

afternoon baking the cake and whipping cream, eventually crafting a

scent, but thankfully, due to the distant neighbors and a

casual for so long, but sometimes

applied light makeup, and styled her hair. Her body was toned

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

never seen Stella all dolled up, was amazed, "Sis, you look

was as if Stella had transformed

his daze, said,