The Apocalypse Survival Manual (Three Days Before Doomsday, I Stockpiled Billions) novel Chapter 872

Chapter 872

+25 BONUS

Zeph wrapped his arms around Nicole. “Don’t assume the worst. Commander Hunt could still be out there.

She struggled to shake that habit. A harsh childhood and two lifetimes of disasters taught her to brace

for the worst whenever something went wrong.

“He ran the military base. He must’ve known the government planned to rebuild.

“It’s been months, and people from bases all over the country have made it here. If he’s alright, why isn’t

he here yet?

“Ocean currents can carry you a long way off course. He might not have had any control over where he ended up. He could still make it here.”

Before she could blame herself, Zeph added, “Nicole, even if you’d asked him to come with us, he wouldn’t

have left.”

She couldn’t argue with that.

He was right. Arthur would’ve stayed.

When he accepted command, he took on a responsibility he intended to see through. His country and the people in his care came first, even before his own life.

If Nicole forced him to abandon them, he might never have forgiven himself.

She understood his reasons. Accepting them was harder.

“You saved all those people, and then they…” She looked at Zeph. “Do you regret it?”

He thought back, his expression calm. “No.”

However, he got a second chance to decide how he wanted to live. This time, he chose a different path.

That choice came with its own regrets. Seeing soldiers and police officers give up time with their

families to serve their country still hurt.

He was no longer one of them. That was why he understood Arthur’s decision.

Even knowing the truth about Nicole’s storage space wouldn’t have persuaded Arthur to leave.

“If you’d forced him to come, you would’ve only pushed him further away.”

Deep down, Nicole knew it. Even with another chance, she probably wouldn’t have asked him. His

answer would’ve been the same.

Still, every time she used her storage space, she felt she owed him. She wouldn’t accept him as her father, yet she continued to rely on the gift he gave her.

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Chapter 872

+25 BONUS

She couldn’t make peace with it, and the conflict kept eating at her.

“I think he’ll make it.”

Zeph took her cold hand in his.

“If you see him again, do what feels right. Whatever you decide, make sure it’s something you can live

with.”

Nicole wasn’t sure what she felt. It might have been guilt over the storage space or the beginnings of

affection for the father she never really knew.

Perhaps she simply admired his willingness to give his life for his country.

“You don’t have to sort it all out tonight. Give yourself time.”

Nicole rested her head on his shoulder. He was right. Slowly, she began to relax.

That night, they slid the steel partitions closed. Poppy and Cola slept in Room 372, while Nicole and Zeph took Room 370, keeping the middle room as their living area.

Their bedroom was so cramped that they lay pressed together, with barely enough room to roll over. Even so, being around other people again brought a sense of comfort.

At dawn, Areas 1 through 3 stirred to life as the military personnel got ready for work.

Every clang and bang carried through the steel walls. The noise went on for more than half an hour before the building quieted down.