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!

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

using Poppy's terminology, "Uncle Bran is useful, but slippery as an eel. I'd rather not deal with him

was honest

her expression, Jasper felt reassured. "Rosie, in these times, you can't predict people's true intentions. No matter how well you think you know someone, always keep

twelve years of hard lessons, Rosie's character was well-formed. "I know, brother,"

...

up around noon, while Jasper had already left for the

a quick bite, Stella took Cooper out for a walk, while Snowflake stayed home

beautiful woman and the handsome dog were a sight to

human

muzzled, he might have torn a

12 men hired by the Porras family

their keep. Working the farm was a lot easier than trying to make it on their own, so

greenhouse, built of standard glass and reinforced with wooden frames to protect against sandstorms and hail, was a project spearheaded by Josef. Inside, sparse sunlight filtered through, allowing for the cultivation of crops like

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 head of the compound's civil affairs. He's here for an inspection

straight as when she first

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

Mark's integration, the compound's structure underwent

top brass with five deputies in the military sector, and now Mark made an

sectors were officially separated, with Mark now fully responsible for

to the military,

stripes through blood and merit, and Mark's ascent to power

Nevertheless, reform was

necessary, and Daniel anticipated

initial

he didn't push further, instead allowing the deputies to

realized that some jobs required

timing was right, Daniel

day's conversation, a mutual admiration was established,

Daniel's support wouldn't justify his continued presence

opposing voices were silenced - after all, the compound needed to