The Apocalypse Survival Manual (Three Days Before Doomsday, I Stockpiled Billions) novel Chapter 776

Chapter 776

“Of course I do.” Zeph Risked Nicole’s forehead. “I just don’t want you to regret anything later.”

Nicole rolled her eyes. “You’re starting to lecture. Are you getting old on me?”

“You weren’t complaining last night.”

Typical men. He acted so serious until sex came up, and then he had no shame.

Nicole gave him a shove.

He barely budged. “Ready for round two?”

She kicked him twice. “Keep dreaming.”

She was still recovering from last night.

Nicole got up, brushed her teeth, washed her face, and took her time over breakfast. By the time she got dressed and went downstairs, Trevor had waited more than an hour.

He showed no sign of impatience. “Ms. Floyd, we have the findings from yesterday’s investigation. Commander Hunt would like to discuss them with you in person.”

Nicole expected the invitation. She opened the car door and got in.

Zeph, Poppy, and Cola went with her.

At the administration building, Arthur was meeting with several department heads. Nicole and the others waited over half an hour for them to come out.

Trevor was about to show Nicole in when someone arrived with an urgent issue and went in ahead of her.

Another officer hurried over almost immediately. “Trevor, can I see Commander Hunt? There’s a problem at the weapons plant. We need him to make a call.”

Trevor let him go next.

Nicole frowned. At this rate, they would be there all day.

“Would another time work better?”

“I’m sorry. Most days are like this,” Trevor said. “Please bear with us a little longer.”

Several more groups came and went. Another hour passed before Arthur could see her.

Between meetings, Arthur took his medication.

He thought he was healthy until he went to the hospital. The doctors kept finding more problems. His chart ran to three pages and counting, and he could barely keep track of all the prescriptions.

Arthur needed to take some of his medications at different times, but he often forgot in the rush of work. Trevor set several alarms to keep him on schedule.

Arthur put a handful of pills in his mouth just as Nicole walked in. He paused at the sight of her, forgetting to swallow.

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Trevor quickly handed him a glass of water. “Here, sir. Take a drink.”

Arthur snapped out of it, swallowed his pills, and got up from his desk.

Trevor showed them into the small conference room adjoining the office, then closed the door to give them

some privacy.

For a moment, father and daughter looked at each other. Neither knew where to start.

Nicole spoke first. “Commander Hunt.”

Arthur gave her a faint smile. “Nicole. Have a seat.”

They sat at opposite ends of the conference table.

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Arthur took a moment to collect himself. When he spoke, the guilt was clear in his voice. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you growing up.”

He didn’t offer an explanation, and Nicole didn’t ask for one.

“It’s fine,” she said evenly. “You weren’t there for me, and I won’t be there for you. Neither of us owes the other anything. You don’t need to feel guilty.” 1

Arthur only recently learned the truth, but he looked into her background enough to know what she was

like.

Her response didn’t surprise him.

“I’m sorry you had to grow up without a family.”

An apology was all he could offer now. Still, he was grateful she didn’t let her childhood make her bitter, and that she found someone to share her life with.

She was strong and capable of taking care of herself. That eased his mind more than she knew.

He slid the DNA report across the table.

“I can’t give you back those years, and I still have responsibilities I can’t walk away from. Whatever happens, I can’t promise I’ll always be there to protect you…”

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