18 Floors Above the Apocalypse novel Chapter 403

Daniel was left speechless by Stella's blunt words, unable to muster a response.

The Earth wouldn't stop spinning, but its tectonic plates could clash and shatter at any moment.

He wanted to do better, to increase the odds of survival for as many people as possible.

This was an unprecedented disaster, and if no one stepped up, humanity faced extinction.

He had no family, no children, no attachments, so he chose to take on the nation's mission.

Even now, with newfound familial ties, they seemed trivial compared to his duties.

To say he had no regrets would be self-deception.

But fate often plays cruel tricks. In his youth, a mission had cost him his love, and now he didn't even have a chance to make amends with his daughter.

"Stella, I'm sorry."

He too wished for retirement, but there was simply no time.

Everyone's choices differed, and what Stella couldn't do wasn't necessarily wrong.

In fact, many had chosen the same path as Daniel, which was why there were so many survivors.

Daniel was coughing violently.

Stella picked up the cup on the table, only to find it empty.

"I'll get some water."

Unfamiliar with family bonds, she quickly grabbed the cup and left, not knowing how to interact with Daniel.

The water room required waiting in line, and seeing that it would take a while, Stella opted to use the restroom instead.

After relieving the pressure on her bladder, she was about to leave when a few women entered, whispering, "Did you see that young woman enter the commander's ward? She looks just like the commander's wife, and it was Sunny who brought her in."

"I saw her too, but it doesn't seem to be Julia. When did the commander get another daughter?"

The senior nurse chided them, "Don't start rumors about our leaders."

"It's not a rumor. We just feel for Sunny. She's waited for the commander for over a decade, and now she's the third wheel."

"Stop talking nonsense," the senior nurse defended Vanessa: "Lillian's the shameless one. She was just the commander's young love, who later chased after wealth and status with someone else. The commander took her in out of old affection, and she shamelessly claims to be his wife, bah!"

The younger nurses were shocked, "Really? And she has the nerve to bother Sunny?"

They clung to the senior nurse, eager for the truth.

Vanessa's reputation wasn't great, but she never explained herself to outsiders.

The senior nurse sighed, "We reported to the military hospital together. Sunny was barely in her twenties when she fell for the injured commander, who wasn't a commander yet but had a high rank..."

Daniel was in his prime then, mature and irresistibly charming.

Despite the age gap, Vanessa fell hard, knowing he was unmarried and pursued him actively.

Her enthusiasm scared Daniel, who tried to keep his distance.

But she pursued him for years, from his thirties to his forties.

Their story was sensational within military circles, and even the leadership tried to play matchmaker, urging Daniel to settle down.

Perhaps Vanessa did move him; they dated for over half a year, and despite the age difference, felt suited for each other. Daniel even filed for marriage.

But then disaster struck, and Daniel took on the national mission instead of getting married.