18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 566

Jasper was never really clued in on matters of the heart. In two lifetimes, he'd only ever fallen for Stella. He had no intention of confessing, content to keep his feelings buried, especially since the apocalypse was hardly a time for romance.

But then Stella surprised him by asking straight out if he liked her.

In that moment, he was stunned. Admitting it could change everything, maybe not for the better.

In a moment of madness, he said there was "a little" something there.

And she turned him down.

Driven by instinct, and after a lot of ups and downs, they eventually found their way to each other.

Love was indeed beautiful, but when he reflected on it, he didn't want his sister to follow in his footsteps.

Because if he hadn't loved Stella, he wouldn't have risked his life to protect her.

In a world gone mad, where human nature was complex, he had found the right person. But what if he hadn't?

Everyone has their own self-interests. Even if it is true love, he didn't want his sister making the same mistakes.

Love was fine, but it should wait until after the apocalypse when humanity's moral compass had been reset.

When Rosie insisted, "Bro, I swear I'm not hiding anything!" Jasper felt a surge of urgency.

The disaster had lasted twelve years. She admired her brother and sister-in-law's love, but had seen the darkest sides of human nature: couples turning on each other, families torn apart, siblings betraying siblings, children killing their own parents...

At the Griffith compound, all the men who came around offering their help had their own agendas.

"Alright, if you say so," Jasper trusted his sister. "Rosie, you're not even of age yet. If you ever think about dating or marriage, it can wait a few more years."

Determined, Rosie replied, "Brother, I have zero interest in guys."

Jasper frowned, considering her words for a moment before asking, "What do you think about Bran?"

His wife had asked her just the day before, and now here was her brother, asking the same thing. Rosie might have been innocent, but she wasn't clueless.

It was so frustrating!

the game that was being played. Bran and the Porras family were tacticians, their interests intertwined. The

"Uncle Bran is useful, but

was honest and hardworking without any hidden

people's true intentions. No matter how well you think you know someone, always

Rosie's character was well-formed. "I know,

...

for the docks to

for a walk, while Snowflake stayed home to care for

and the handsome dog were a sight

but Cooper took full advantage of his human companion,

muzzled, he might have torn a few folks

family to manage the daily workings of the

their keep. Working the farm was a lot easier than trying to

protect against sandstorms and hail, was a project spearheaded by Josef. Inside, sparse sunlight filtered through, allowing for the cultivation

thriving. Visiting the farm, Stella saw the value in the trip; Rosie had indeed grown up. Just as she was about to leave, she saw Mark approaching with a group. Rosie explained, "Sister-in-law, Grandpa He is now the

back not as straight as when she first met him, but

respect deepened upon his arrival. With him on board, she believed Griffith would only get

integration, the compound's structure underwent

the military sector, and now Mark

officially separated,

to the

was controversial. Every deputy had earned their- stripes through blood and merit, and Mark's ascent to

Nevertheless, reform was

necessary, and Daniel anticipated

initial

instead allowing the

soon realized that some

timing was right, Daniel personally

full day's conversation, a mutual admiration was established, and a one- year

Mark didn't achieve results within a year, even Daniel's support wouldn't justify his continued

were silenced - after all, the compound needed to