18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 576

Good news-Reagan had finally come around.

But he was as weak as a newborn calf, barely able to say a word.

Emily was right there, fussing over him like a mother hen. "Stella, I can't thank you enough for the medicine."

"Just doing what I can," Stella said, handing over a steaming bowl of chicken soup. "Uncle Hugh's as weak as a leaf, and porridge won't cut it. Luckily, the farm's chickens were ready for the coop, so I cooked one up especially."

Emily knew too well that porridge was about as nourishing as a wet paper towel compared to a hearty potato stew.

The aroma of the soup was tantalizing. Even someone of Reagan's stature hadn't had a taste in years.

Knowing her husband needed strength, Emily didn't hesitate. She figured she'd return the favor with a gift once her husband was on the mend.

Carefully, she spoon-fed him.

After a few comforting words, Stella got to her feet, suggesting Emily should drop by the farm whenever she could to pick up some chickens and help Uncle Hugh regain his strength.

Exiting the intensive care unit, the pair carried another bowl of chicken soup toward the monitoring room.

Nicholas was gone. Mrs. Shaw was there, a symphony of sobs escaping her as she kept vigil by her son's side.

After receiving medicine, Nicholas had woken up the night before, but he was in a

bad way.

He wasn't out of the woods yet, and from all the tests, it seemed the fever had triggered meningitis.

Even before the calamity, meningitis was a notorious killer, and without antibiotics, the survival rate was abysmal.

Nicholas had brain damage, his hearing gone, and he kept vomiting.

to stave off the worst, life could be a living hell, not

they had to

the doctor, "Why is this happening? The meds were the same. Why is Reagan fine, but my boy's got

the very picture of calm, replied, "Please, Mrs. Shaw, every patient is different, and

have it. "You must have botched it,

"The prescriptions were identical. Nicholas was present when they were administered. As for the traditional remedies, they were duplicated, and you're welcome to

with Nicholas, a man known for being difficult.

they

her son's life hanging by a thread, Mrs. Shaw

the medicine. What are you waiting for?

just stepped into the doorway, kicked the

Shaw, who had never met Stella, was about to scold this brash intruder in

went pale

with fine fabric and

appear at the hospital, and her offhand accusation had reached the

was the daughter of a high-ranking official, and misunderstandings

but Stella cut her off cold, "Mrs. Shaw, you can mess

Space for explanations,

Stella left no space

It was

block the port until I gave Out of respect for his service to the country and his relationship with my

hospital vetted the medicine. And now you dare claim

nation's top physician

Stella smashed the bowl of soup on the ground.

hadn't expected such ferocity from Stella and

attending to her

had come hurrying over. She didn't give him the time of day and headed straight

no word of familiar faces. Across the street at the police station, the officers were escorting a group back-young men in their

her clothes torn, her

take much to