The first person Ivy thought of was Emma.

There had been similar stories in the news before–someone with HIV, driven by a twisted desire for revenge, would deliberately leave contaminated needles in public places to harm innocent people.

She was sure this was Emma’s way of getting back at her, using such a vile method.

Ivy turned to her security detail. “Call the police. Have them take him in for questioning. That needle–make sure it gets sent to the hospital for testing, and do it fast!”

The bodyguard immediately called Boyd to get more people over.

Roberta looked completely lost, but seeing the tension and seriousness on Ivy’s face, she started to grasp what was happening.

Ivy drew a breath and turned to Roberta, speaking with gentle urgency. “Listen, Roberta, that needle may be contaminated with HIV. But there’s medication you can take–it’s a preventative treatment. You’ll need to take it continuously for twenty-eight days, and for the next six months, it’s best if you get tested regularly. If you follow the protocol, you should be fine.”

Jamison had already explained this to Ivy more than once: the sooner you start the medication after potential exposure, the better–in an ideal world, within two hours. The maximum window is twenty-four hours; waiting any longer could raise the risk. Her security team always carried a supply of these emergency meds.

Roberta listened, her confusion shifting to disbelief. “They went after you… to give you HIV?”

“Maybe. But this is just one of the ways they’re trying to get back at me,” Ivy replied, retrieving the medication from her bodyguard.

“Take one pill now. When the test results come back, if there’s no virus, that’s the best outcome–you won’t need to continue. But if there is, you have to keep taking the pills every day for twenty-eight days, no exceptions.” Ivy placed the tablet in Roberta’s hand.

Roberta hesitated. “Can’t I just wait for the results before starting?”

“No. The earlier you start, the safer you’ll be.” Even as Ivy spoke, her bodyguard handed over a freshly opened bottle of water.

Roberta hadn’t expected anything like this when she came to see Ivy. She paused for two seconds, then took the pill and swallowed it down with the water.

“You might have some side effects over the next twenty-eight days–things like dizziness or nausea. You can look up more details online if you’re worried,” Ivy added. “But you see how dangerous it is to be around me. Please, don’t come looking for me again.”

Roberta nodded silently.

The police arrived not long after.

Ivy’s bodyguard quickly explained the situation. The officers detained the man and escorted both Roberta and Ivy to the nearest police station.

A search revealed that the man had a small box on him, containing two more needles.

The police sent those for testing as well and began interrogating the suspect.

Jamison didn’t hear about any of this until later that afternoon.

He wrapped up his work at the hospital and rushed to the police station near the campus. The moment he saw Ivy, he looked her up and down, worry etched on his face. “Are you sure you’re alright?”

“I’m fine. The guy accidentally got Roberta instead,” Ivy replied, then remembered the needle they’d sent off for testing, “Has Boyd called you? What did the results say?”

“He just did. That needle tested positive for HIV, but the viral load was very low–it had mostly lost its potency.”

After saying this, Jamison turned to Roberta, his tone serious. “Miss Roberta, just to be safe, I recommend you continue the treatment for the full twenty-eight days. Also, thank you. You saved Ivy from a lot of trouble today. My assistant will transfer you compensation for your troubles and for stepping in on Ivy’s behalf.”

Ivy had already been thinking the same thing.

She hated owing favors. She kept track of her debts, especially after everything with Jamison, and she wasn’t about to start now with someone she barely knew.

If money could settle things, she’d never hesitate.

But Roberta didn’t want the money. The moment she heard the needle actually was contaminated, she panicked. “Ivy, are you sure I won’t get HIV? I’m still so young…”

Ivy couldn’t make any promises.

Because there are no absolutes in life, no guarantees.

But in Jamison’s professional opinion, the risk was already very low–the virus was almost inactive, and with the preventative meds, Roberta was as safe as she could possibly be.

So before Ivy could answer, Jamison stepped in. “As long as you take the medication every day for twenty-eight days, the chance of infection is 99.9% prevented. Worst-case scenario, if anything does happen, we’ll cover all your medical expenses, and anything else you need–just say the word.”