18 Floors Above the Apocalypse novel Chapter 440

With Iran no longer a threat to Arcadia, Stella felt like a massive burden had been lifted off her shoulders. Life on the open sea could be stifling, so soaking in a hot spring was the perfect way to unwind.

That evening, they had a feast to celebrate. Salt and pepper shrimp, roast chicken, beef skewers, and a mouth-watering lobster thermidor were on the menu. The three of them raised their glasses, Stella's smile blooming like a summer rose. "Here's to a world without Iran," she toasted. Cooper, who couldn't drink alcohol, opted for a fizzy orange soda instead.

Dinner lasted well over an hour. Afterwards, Rosie cleared the table while Cooper helped with the dishes, making sure everything was spotless. Stella picked the freshest Sunburst roses, washed them, and settled on the couch to watch a movie. Jasper peeled the rose petals and playfully popped them into her mouth. "Thanks, Jasper," she said with a laugh, still amused by such romantic gestures despite their long marriage.

This was perhaps their most comfortable moment in Arcadia—no need to hide anything from Rosie, just a family on the sofa, speaking their minds freely. The villa had plenty of rooms, with Cooper and Rosie enjoying a spacious chamber to themselves.

After eradicating the threat that had been looming over them, they could now fully enjoy their time at Arcadia. When it was time for bed, Jasper closed the windows and doors and reached into the drawer for some contraceptives. Stella hadn't expected they'd celebrate their victory in such a way, but the physical satisfaction was undeniable. Exhausted but content, the two embraced tightly.

It was this cruel, post-apocalyptic world that had brought Stella and Jasper together, a perfect mental and physical match. Sometimes, Stella couldn't help but wonder—if it hadn't been for the disaster, would they have ever crossed paths? The thought alone filled her with a deep sense of loss.

Stella mused that Jasper was the man who accepted her unconditionally in this harsh world. She couldn't resist asking, "If you hadn't met me, what kind of woman would you have fallen for?" Jasper, not wanting to entertain hypotheticals, simply said, "There are no 'ifs' in life; such assumptions are meaningless." But Stella wouldn't let it go, playfully tickling him until he spoke.

Jasper admitted that attraction is a mysterious thing. Without it, even beauty is meaningless. But once it's sparked, it could be just a moment that changes everything. "You didn't have designs on me from the start, did you?" "No," he replied honestly. "I just thought you were rather peculiar." Living next door, it was natural to want to understand her, but the more he learned, the more he wanted to know. At some point, she had become important to him.