The Apocalypse Survival Manual (Three Days Before Doomsday, I Stockpiled Billions) novel Chapter 742

Or maybe Arthur simply had no interest in romance anymore.

After all these years of Irene trying to get closer to him, he never once returned her feelings. He made sure she and Camila were comfortable, but that was as far as it went.

The man Irene once knew felt more distant with every passing year. She couldn't read him anymore, much less understand what he was thinking.

And now Nicole was here.

The radio crackled, pulling both Irene and Camila from their thoughts.

"Sorry. I've got a lot to do today, so I won't be coming home."

Arthur's voice was calm and steady. He sounded polite, but nothing more.

Irene froze for a moment before quickly answering, "You still have to eat, no matter how busy you are. If you can't come home, I can make something and bring it to you."

"There's a cafeteria here. Besides, this is a restricted military area. Civilians aren't allowed in."

And that was it.

Irene's face fell, and her hands slowly curled into fists.

In previous years, even when Arthur couldn't come home, he at least wished her a happy birthday and had Simon bring over a gift.

This year, there was nothing. He barely seemed interested in talking to her.

Something had clearly changed.

Irene just couldn't understand why Arthur brought her to the base and let everyone treat her and Camila like family if he never intended to let her back into his life.

"Mom, he doesn't love you." A chill ran through Camila. "Nicole's here. What if he already knows the truth?"

"Shut up!" Irene snapped. "I'm warning you for the last time. If you want to keep living like this, you'll never mention that name in this house again."

For years, Irene played the part of a calm, patient mother. No matter how spoiled or difficult Camila got, she might scold her, but she rarely lost her temper.

"It was going fine until Nicole showed up and ruined everything. Then he took off."

Mark was handsome, but he was only a deputy battalion commander. Even if Camila married him, she still wouldn't have the kind of secure, comfortable life that came with being married to a senior officer.

Still, she was already 27. The longer she waited, the fewer good options she would have.

If she were a few years younger, and if Arthur were willing to pull a few strings, she could've easily married a regimental commander or someone even higher up.

But Arthur refused to get involved. He always said that with the world falling apart, a soldier's job was to defend the country and keep people alive, not worry about dating or marriage.

In other words, he wasn't going to help her find a husband.

Arthur seemed perfectly content to stay single, but Camila had no intention of doing the same.

People at the base got married and started families all the time, especially those living in military housing. The more Camila thought about it, the more certain she became that Arthur simply didn't see her as his real daughter.

She couldn't help wondering whether he would've treated Nicole the same way.