After the Ice Melts

: Retribution

I didn't answer him, instead frantically scooping the pills from the floor and putting them back in the bottle.

These weren't just painkillers; they were my lifeline.

Aidan Sterling silently watched me kneel on the floor, picking up the pills one by one.

I was about to toss the last three straight into my mouth, but he grabbed my arm and stopped me.

"They fell on the floor. Are you really going to eat them like that?"

I irritably shook his hand off.

He'd changed a lot in eight years, but that annoying germaphobia of his had stuck around.

"None of your business."

I quickly swallowed the pills. Aidan Sterling's brow furrowed even more tightly.

I drank some water and was about to leave, but he spoke again.

"What medicine is that?"

I stopped and looked at him, confused.

Seeing my questioning gaze, Aidan Sterling let out a mocking laugh.

"Don't get the wrong idea. I'm just curious. Have you done so many wicked things that you're finally getting what you deserve?"

I smiled bitterly to myself. 'Isn't this exactly my comeuppance?'

'After all, I'm the one who shattered an innocent eighteen-year-old's heart, took his virginity, and then ruthlessly dumped him.'

'Now I have late-stage stomach cancer. I guess this is just desserts for the wicked.'

But I didn't want him to gloat over me. I curled my lips into a brazen smile.

"Sorry to disappoint you. I just haven't been eating enough fruit lately, so I'm taking some Vitamin C."

After leaving the company, I went to the orphanage in the West End.

"Director, what did the doctor say about Sophie's eyes?"

The Director shook her head regretfully. "We still haven't found a donor. The doctors are at a loss."

For some reason, I suddenly thought of running into Aidan Sterling a couple of days ago.

I took the Director's hand and patted it gently. "Don't worry, Director. Our Sophie is so sweet and lovely. The day will definitely come when she can see again."

Before I left, I transferred another sum of money to the Director.

"Myla, you're not getting any younger. You need to save some money for yourself. If you meet someone you like, you should get married and start a family. You've already done more than enough for the orphanage. Your thought alone is enough."

I grew up in the orphanage, and the Director was like a mother to all of us.

"Director, I make plenty of money now. You don't have to worry about me."

I hadn't told anyone about my illness, not even the Director.

She had enough to worry about at the orphanage. I was grown now; I didn't want her to lose sleep over me.

When I got home, the first thing I did was go online to register as an organ donor.

'Aidan Sterling's words were crude, but he had a point. My organs will be of no use to me after I die, so I might as well donate them to someone who needs them.'

The next day, I arrived at Aidan Sterling's company on time. Felix Cole came to meet me.

"Miss Quinn, you'll be working here. President Sterling's office is right next door."

I looked at the glass wall, so clean it was practically invisible, and hesitated.

"Can I move to a different desk? I'm under too much pressure sitting here. It'll be hard to write."

"I'm sorry, Miss Quinn, but this spot was personally arranged by President Sterling."

'Fine. So it's non-negotiable.'

Luckily, the very important Aidan Sterling was busy, and he didn't return to his office even as the lunch break approached.

But then, Faye Lowell arrived.

Faye Lowell walked up to me, visibly pregnant and carrying a lunchbox.

She looked shocked, so I felt compelled to explain. "I'm handling the screenplay for President Sterling's new investment project. I'll be working here for a few days until the script is approved."

"It seems you and Aidan are quite fated, Miss Quinn."

Her eyes curved in a friendly smile, but her gaze somehow made me feel guilty.

I heard footsteps behind me. Aidan Sterling was back.

He strode over to Faye Lowell and took the lunchbox from her hands.

"Why did you bring this yourself? You could've just had the driver do it."

"It's no bother. I was just sitting around at home anyway."

They walked into the office as they talked, ignoring me as if I were thin air.

I had no right to be upset, but my heart began to ache uncontrollably.