Penny
"Mr. Verus,” she said, “the surgery has already been paid for.”
Cassius blinked, stunned. “What? By who?”
Before the nurse could respond, a tall, imposing figure appeared. The man was impeccably dressed, his presence commanding attention. “I paid for it,” the man said, his deep voice resonating in the sterile corridor.
Cassius stood, his body tense. “Who are you?”
The man smiled faintly, extending a hand. “Augustus Verus,” he said. “Your father.”
Shock coursed through Cassius. “My father?” he echoed, incredulous. “That’s impossible.”
“It’s the truth,” Augustus said, pulling out a neatly folded envelope. Inside were photographs, documents—proof of their connection. “I’ve been watching from a distance, waiting for the right moment to step in. And now, it’s time.”
Cassius stared at the evidence, his emotions a whirlwind of disbelief, anger, and curiosity. “Why now? Why not before?”
Augustus met his gaze steadily. “Because you had to face life’s hardships to grow. But now, you’ve earned the right to know the truth—and the power to change your fate.” He handed Cassius a sleek black card. “This is yours. It grants you access to my wealth. Use it wisely.”
Cassius hesitated before taking the card, his fingers trembling. The weight of everything that had happened—his humiliation, his sister’s injury, and now this revelation—threatened to overwhelm him. But as he looked at Augustus, determination flickered in his eyes.
“I’ll use this,” he said quietly, “to protect Vinna—and to repay everyone who looked down on me.”
Augustus nodded, a faint smile on his lips. “Then I trust you won’t disappoint me, son.”
Cassius watched as Augustus walked away, leaving him standing in the sterile hallway, a man reborn."