18 Floors Above the Apocalypse
Chapter 404

Stella had picked up the art of traditional remedy-making at the Institute of Traditional Medicine, a skill that came in handy since brewing herbal teas can be a real pain. With her know-how, she could turn these herbs into handy pills. Thanks to Dr. Garcia and Collin, she had a treasure trove of secret recipes and golden formulas. Wanting to repay Daniel for the good years she'd had because of Arcadia, she felt it was only right to put in her best effort. She carefully crafted a prescription for his condition. But the old-school method was no walk in the park. Even with Jasper and Rosie helping out, it took a solid two or three days to get it done.

She didn't just whip up something for his stomach; knowing how Daniel had risked his life for work, she also made a few bottles of fast-acting heart relief pills, sleep aids, blood pressure reducers, and immunity boosters. She made enough to last him years, packing a big box to the brim.

She'd done her part; whether Daniel took care of himself was out of her hands.

After finishing the medicines, Stella made a special trip to the hospital.

Daniel was still admitted, but when she arrived, Stella found herself at a loss for words. What could she possibly say to him?

Vanessa, just having sorted out the nurses' duties, looked up and saw Stella approaching, greeting her with a warm smile, "Stella, here to check on the commander?"

It sounded a bit presumptuous.

But since she was there, Stella asked, "How's he doing?"

Daniel's chronic ailments weren't going to be cured overnight, but ever since Stella's visit, he seemed in good spirits. He hadn't insisted on leaving the hospital to dive back into work and had delegated most of his responsibilities. With less on his plate, he naturally had more time to rest.

Maybe this was the power of family ties; someone had finally managed to handle stubborn old Daniel.

To be honest, Vanessa felt a mix of emotions, but it wasn't jealousy or envy.

Stella was his daughter, and although Daniel didn't know about her before, blood ties don't lie. Vanessa never imagined Lillian could be so cruel to harm her own child.

Stella's ordeal had stirred a strong sense of guilt and a desire to make amends in Daniel.

So, whatever his daughter said or did, he took to heart, more than anything Vanessa, an outsider, could hope for.

It was good, in a way. Having someone to care for made life more worthwhile.

Unaware of Vanessa's thoughts, Stella handed over the medicine she had prepared, "I sourced some herbs and made a few bottles for him. He just needs to take them as needed. Could you give them to him, please?" Vanessa didn't take them. "This is your gesture. The commander will be very pleased. He's just idling in his room now."

Stella understood but didn't want too many ties with Daniel, so she insisted, placing the medicine in Vanessa's hands, "This is to make up for the broken jade pendant. Just tell him that, I have to go now."

Holding the large box of medicines, Vanessa couldn't catch up to her.

Like father, like daughter-both stubborn as mules.

Reconciliation between the two would be no easy feat.

Vanessa sighed deeply and took the medicine to Daniel's room, where she found him working despite his illness. She wasn't pleased and set the box down with a thud.

Daniel looked up at her, "Still mad at me?"

"You're the high commander, and I'm just the head nurse. I wouldn't dare be angry with a leader."

"I'm sorry, I was too harsh the other day." Daniel put aside his papers, his tone serious yet calm, "I can sense that Stella doesn't want to acknowledge our relationship, and with disasters looming, getting closer might just lead to more hurt if we're forced apart one day. I know you mean well, but I'd rather you didn't pursue her anymore. This way, it's peaceful."

Vanessa, feeling unappreciated, retorted, "Right, you consider your ex and daughter, but never yourself."

Daniel, with a headache, clarified, "What ex? I've explained this to you." An ex-girlfriend, and that from thirty years ago.

Vanessa, exasperated, shot back, "Not an ex-wife? Then why does she parade around as the commander's wife?"

"Am I supposed to explain to everyone that Lillian is just an ex-girlfriend from three decades ago?"

His explanation only infuriated the usually calm Vanessa. "You're so considerate, taking care of your ex-girlfriend. Why not think about your current partner for once?"

Daniel looked at her quietly, offering no response.

Vanessa, unable to hold back her tears, turned away, not wanting him to see.

No, he had considered her. They were at the doors of the civil affairs office, but he left at the call of duty without a second glance.

Breaking up, not getting married, telling her to replace a good man to marry.

He would repeat these words every year or so.

But she was human, with feelings that couldn't just disappear, unable to marry just any man.

Frustrated to the point of tears, she had indeed considered trying to be with someone else, only to replace she couldn't force herself.

Seeing her tears, Daniel felt a pang of distress but was at a loss for how to console her.

When he took on the nation's mission, he was prepared to burn all bridges behind him. No one knew how long the disasters would last-10 years, 50 years, 100 years, or more? The answer was unknown.

Daniel was willing to devote himself, yet he had underestimated Vanessa's feelings for him, which remained strong over the years.

He had said all there was to say; now, he truly didn't know how to respond to her.

Handing her a handkerchief, he said, "Don't cry. It's all my fault."

His words only made her cry harder.

Daniel rubbed his temple; she was nearing forty and still so headstrong and stubborn. "Commander..."

Mark entered, only to replace Vanessa in tears, and immediately backed out, embarrassed.

With the constant flow of people in the hospital room, Daniel felt awkward, unable to reciprocate her feelings and unable to pull her back from the brink.

He diverted his attention to the box on the table, "What's this?"

Vanessa remained silent.

Daniel took a closer look and realized it was full of medicines.

He was about to say he didn't need to waste valuable hospital resources on his minor ailments when he noticed the sticky notes on the bottles with instructions and precautions written in a familiar handwriting. Holding a bottle, Daniel was surprised, "Medicine from Stella?"

Vanessa, still upset, didn't reply.

Daniel caressed the handwriting, a smile creeping onto his face. He hadn't expected Stella to do this for him.

It seemed, after all, that he still had a place in her heart.

"Snow, thank you," for everything she had done for him over the years.

"No thanks needed. I'm just a busybody," Vanessa snapped, her voice tinged with a mix of emotions. "I shouldn't have gone to Stella to tell her you were sick, and I definitely shouldn't have brought over the medicine she made for you. If I had known, I would have tossed it in the trash earlier."

Daniel knew she was angry, but her words still choked him up.

Taking a deep breath, he looked at the woman before him who had toiled thanklessly for more than a decade. Then, he grabbed her sleeve and pulled her closer, "If there's anyone I owe, it's you I've let down the most."

"It's not your fault. I'm the one who clung on, refusing to let go. I deserve what I got."

Daniel studied her features, the years flashing before his eyes. Crow's feet had begun to mark the corners of her eyes.

The one thing that remained unchanged was her steadfast devotion to him.

A whirlwind of thoughts raced through Daniel's mind. "If the day comes when this disaster ends, and I'm still breathing, I swear I'll marry you."

"You're not going to die. Even if not for me, there's still Stella, isn't there?" Vanessa's tears fell. "You haven't fulfilled your duties as a father. How can you bear to leave us?"

To be honest, Daniel felt a twinge of regret. If he'd known how stubborn and understanding she was, he should have made it official with her back then.

But life offered no pills for regret. He held Vanessa's hand, gripping it tightly, not letting go for a long time.