18 Floors Above the Apocalypse
Chapter 277

By the look on Angela's face, it was clear that Lukas had told her about their unexpected encounter. She just didn't expect Stella to drop by.

"I bumped into Lukas yesterday and found out you guys are back in Griffith. I thought I'd come by and see how you're doing."

Angela and Lukas were subletting a room in the house, sharing the living space with Cody and his girl, who occupied the other room.

The small, cramped space was filled to the brim with a hodgepodge of items, leaving little room for much else aside from a bed and a corner for cooking.

Despite feeling under the weather, Angela tidied up and welcomed Stella into their humble abode, "Sorry for the mess. We don't really have a place for visitors."

"No worries, I'm not a stranger," Stella replied, sitting down on the edge of the bed.

"After you guys left, I went with Jasper to Swan Hill Beach. We dabbled in the seafood business for a while. For the past few years, we've been bouncing around Griffith, accepting business when available and studying medical books when not. I heard from Lukas that you haven't been well since the miscarriage. If you don't mind, I could take a look. I've picked up a few things from the books."

Angela looked at her with a bitter smile and a hint of guilt. "I've been a burden to Lukas. He would have been better off without me."

"Don't talk nonsense. You've been together for so long. There's no such thing as being a burden."

"You don't understand, Stella. He has spent so much trying to treat my illness."

Stella reassured her, "Then you should get better soon. Lukas is an orphan. You gave him a sense of belonging. If you give up on yourself, he'll truly be alone."

Angela's condition was indeed serious. It wasn't incurable, but due to a lack of proper medication, her condition had worsened over time.

"There's no big issue, it's just inflammation. Some acupuncture and massage, coupled with some medication, should do the trick," Stella explained.

Stella showed Angela some massage techniques. "There are a few points that require assistance. I'll write down the methods for Lukas to help you later."

After the massage, Stella performed acupuncture on Angela. She then took out some herbal medicine from her bag, "I brought a few types of herbs. You can start by taking these."

"Where did you get all these herbs?" Angela asked in surprise. "These could be traded for a lot of currency. It's a waste to use them on me."

Stella, however, insisted. "Don't worry about the cost. The weather has been good this year. Jasper and I have been cultivating our herbs, so we didn't need to buy any. What matters now is getting you better." After the massage and acupuncture, Angela felt much better. "Stella, thank you."

"We all have our tough times. If we lend each other a hand, we might just get through it," Stella patted her shoulder. "Get better and start fresh, Angela. I want to see you boxing again, just like the old times."

Angela wanted to share her meal, but both families had emptied their pockets to treat their illnesses. With her mouth open, she couldn't bring herself to say anything, only left with a heart full of bitterness.

Stella reminded her to lock the door as she left. When she reached the roadside, Jasper's car was already waiting, and the two warmly welcomed her. When they arrived home, Jasper finally spoke up, asking, "How is she?"

"Angela's condition is very poor. It's not just her physical health that's the problem; she also suffers from depression," Stella replied. She could tell that Angela had thoughts of despair and suicide. If it weren't for her feelings and guilt towards Lukas, she might not have been able to endure it.

Physical illnesses can be treated, but mental illnesses are the most tormenting. Jasper pondered for a moment and asked, "What do you plan to do?"

"I talked to her today, and her cognition and sense of right and wrong are still normal. But living in such a terrible environment and being tormented by dual illnesses, it's only a matter of time before major problems arise," Stella explained. Stella thought for a moment and said, "When they left Griffith, they left behind one-third of the food and medicine."

Jasper understood that Stella wanted to help Angela. She only had three friends, two of whom were childhood friends, and Angela had helped her in her previous life.

When times are tough, one should focus on self-improvement; when times are good, one should help others. Jasper had no objections, but he knew that people's hearts can be unpredictable in the apocalypse. He hoped Stella would be mindful of the approach and methods, so as not to lose even the sense of camaraderie in the end.

Stella understood this well. The food and medicine couldn't be returned as they were, and there had to be suitable reasons for giving them to others. First and foremost, Angela's illness needed to be treated.

Stella had prepared antidepressant medication before the natural disaster struck. But because of Jasper and the companionship of Rosie and Cooper, her mood had improved significantly, and she no longer needed medication. She could give Angela a portion of it. In addition, the insulin for Aqua Base also belonged to both families. It could be exchanged for the expansion of Arcadia and the cruise ship. Their contributions could not be erased. If conditions allowed, Stella should return some supplies to them.

However, the trouble was that Cody had a girlfriend. To avoid trouble and disputes, the distribution of supplies had to be fair and just, so as not to leave room for complaints from either side.

Jasper suggested, "When helping others, we should do it in a way that hits the mark. There's no need to rush. Let's see what they need first."

Influenced by romance magazines and fearing that Jasper might have objections, Stella was very soft and asked while leaning against his shoulder, "What do you suggest giving first? I'll listen to you."

Regardless of who it is, men always fall for this tactic, and Jasper was no exception. He hugged Stella's waist and thought for a moment before saying, "First, let's cure Angela's illness. We can give some seafood and grains. We'll explain the situation first and see what they need. We can exchange the previous medicine for corresponding supplies."

"Okay," Stella agreed.

Stella took several boxes of antidepressant medication and found some motivational books in the study to help Angela pass the time. She also prepared some medicinal herbs for treatment. Cody had collected a lot of electronic products in the office, and when he left, he gave her all the unopened ones. Stella charged them up, copied some relaxing music and TV shows, and took them along.

With a mix of people there, giving too much food might not be a good thing. Stella took two pounds of dried seafood and five pounds of crushed corn kernels.

In the morning, after getting everything ready, Jasper accompanied her to the street corner. As soon as someone slightly well-off appeared in the slum, everyone stared as if watching a monkey show, their eyes full of scrutiny and calculations.

She knocked on the door upstairs, and a sister opened it. She was wearing shorts, a short T-shirt, and had a crew cut hairstyle with tanned skin.

Stella could already sense the aura emanating from her just by meeting her gaze. She was someone who had experienced tough times and had been through life-or-death situations.

The girl's eyes were sharp as she asked, "Who are you looking for?"