Chapter 9

With a cold expression, Andrew yanked the curtains closed and averted his gaze. Melina was a woman who could manipulate Wallace into threatening him with marriage. Her tears must all be a facade. Melina didn't know someone was watching her from the second floor. She cried for a while, then wiped her tears and pulled herself together. The damage was done, so there was no point in crying over spilled milk. All she could do now was try her best to fix it. These orchids had only been uprooted that afternoon. If they were replanted now, some might survive. Under the moonlight, Melina's unyielding silhouette worked tirelessly in the garden. It was three in the morning when Andrew shot up, his eyes filled with anger and irritation. Now, he was a stark contrast to his languid indifference during the day. It was as if he were still caught in a nightmare. It was too quiet. The moment he drifted off to sleep, an oppressive silence enveloped him. It was as if he'd been cast into the depths of a pitch-black sewer, a monster trapped in. Just then, Andrew heard a faint sound. This soft, rustling sound broke through the darkness that confined him. He broke free from that emotional turmoil, got up, and walked to the window. Lifting the curtain, he saw the source of the sound, the small, busy figure below. Those uprooted orchids were being replanted one by one. Melina was carefully replanting the orchids. She didn't have much money now, so she was trying to save as much as she could. The losses could be repaid slowly once she earned more. Her head was spinning—probably from catching a cold after bathing in cold water the day before—but she didn't dare to stop. The longer the orchids were left out of the soil, the less likely they were to survive. These were all money. Money that could be used to buy children's books and stationery. Compared to that, her illness was a small thing. She would be fine with some medicine. On the second floor, Andrew was lost in thought, watching quietly. Surprisingly, the turmoil in his heart gradually calmed down. Melina persevered until dawn appeared on the horizon, finally replanting all the orchids. She watered them, praying they would survive. The watering can fell from her hand the next moment as she collapsed beside the flower bed. Upstairs, Andrew frowned as he watched. He went downstairs and walked over to Melina. He saw her, dirty and flushed with fever. He picked her up with apparent distaste and turned toward the house. Andrew didn't have a high opinion of himself, but he felt responsible for the girl burning herself out. If that happened, he knew he'd have trouble justifying it to Wallace. He found some fever medication and snapped, "Get up and take this medicine." But the person was out cold and wouldn't wake up. Melina didn't even budge. Andrew, who was getting impatient, yanked Melina up and shoved the medicine into her mouth. The bitterness of the medicine made Melina open her eyes groggily. Her once bright, clear eyes were misty. She looked as helpless as a newborn kitten. In a moment of confusion, she mistook Andrew for her neighbor, Julian Tate, who often looked after her. She accidentally bit Andrew's finger and whined, "Julian, it's bitter." Andrew stiffened and withdrew his finger. He handed her a glass of water and ordered, "Don't spit it out. Swallow it." Melina wanted to spit it out but didn't dare to. She obediently swallowed the medicine, then leaned back against Andrew. She nuzzled her little head against him before falling asleep again. Andrew picked her up and tossed her back onto the bed. For some reason, he didn't leave right away. Maybe it was Melina's gaze that reminded him of that kitten in the sewer. For a moment, the icy depths of his being seemed to thaw.