COLIN VERUS, A MAN REBORN

Chapter 2

The Aurelius family dining room was filled with tension, its grand chandelier casting sharp shadows on the polished mahogany table. Livia stood opposite her mother, Aemilia, her hands clenched into fists on the tabletop.

“We should sell the house,” Livia said firmly, her voice shaking but determined. “It’s the only way to help Colin repay the loan for Vinna’s surgery.”

Aemilia scoffed, swirling the wine in her crystal glass with an air of disdain. “Sell the house? Are you out of your mind, Livia? All this for him? The so-called ‘man’ who can’t even keep his own family out of the gutter?”

Livia’s eyes flashed with anger. “Colin did what any decent human being would do—he stepped up when no one else would. You call him useless, but he’s more of a man than anyone else in this family!”

Aemilia laughed coldly, setting her glass down with a sharp clink. “A man? Please. A real man wouldn’t need his wife defending him. A real man wouldn’t come begging like a dog to this family every time he screws up.”

Livia leaned forward, her voice rising. “You can mock him all you want, Mother, but at least he’s willing to fight for the people he loves! Can you say the same for yourself?”

At the end of the table, Lucius, Livia’s father, stared down at his plate, his hands trembling slightly. He opened his mouth as if to speak, but Aemilia cut him off with a sharp glance.

“And you think selling the family home is the solution?” Aemilia sneered, her voice dripping with condescension. “This house is a symbol of the Aurelius legacy. You’d throw it all away for that… parasite?”

Livia’s heart pounded, but she refused to back down. “This house is just bricks and mortar. Colin’s sister’s life was at stake. He did what he had to do, and I stand by him.”

Aemilia rose to her feet, her voice icy. “If you sell this house, Livia, mark my words: you’ll regret it. I’ll make sure of that.”

Livia held her ground, her gaze unwavering. “Do whatever you want, Mother. But I won’t let you insult my husband and pretend it’s for the greater good. He’s worth more than you’ll ever understand.”

From outside the door, Colin leaned against the wall, listening to every word. A lump formed in his throat as he heard Livia’s fierce defense. He hadn’t expected her to stand up to her family like this—not for him.

“She’s incredible,” he thought, a mixture of gratitude and guilt washing over him. “I don’t deserve her. But I’ll do everything I can to make things right.”

Later that day, Colin walked into a luxury car dealership, the kind of place where the air smelled like leather and money. He wore his usual attire: a simple button-up shirt and worn-out jeans. Heads turned, and he could feel the judgmental stares of the staff.

“May I help you?” a salesman asked, his voice strained with forced politeness.

“I’m looking for a car,” Colin said simply. “Something safe and reliable.”

Before the salesman could respond, a familiar voice chimed in. “Colin? Is that you?”

He turned to see Mia, one of Livia’s old friends, perched on a sleek sports car like she owned the place. Her designer outfit and perfectly coiffed hair screamed wealth and privilege.

“What are you doing here?” Mia asked, her tone dripping with mockery.

“I’m buying a car,” Colin replied, keeping his tone even.

Mia burst out laughing. “Buying? From here? Oh, this is rich. Let me guess, you’re shopping for a toy car for your nephew? Or maybe you’re just here for the free air conditioning.”

Colin ignored her, turning back to the salesman. “I want something safe. It’s for my wife.”

Mia gasped theatrically. “A gift for Livia? Oh, how sweet! But Colin, do you even know what a car like this costs? I mean, it’s not exactly the kind of thing you can pay for with a fistful of loose change.”

The salesman smirked, clearly enjoying the show. “Perhaps I can interest you in something from our pre-owned lot?” he suggested, his voice thick with condescension.

“No,” Colin said, his gaze steady. “Show me the safest car you have.”

The salesman’s eyes gleamed with amusement. He pointed to a sleek black model at the center of the showroom. “That would be the Imperial V600. It’s bulletproof, loaded with safety features, and priced at just over a million dollars.”

Mia snorted. “A million? Oh, this is priceless. Go ahead, Colin. Tell him you’ll take two. Or better yet, ask if they accept Monopoly money!”

Colin ignored her, walking up to the car. He ran his hand over the smooth surface, imagining Livia behind the wheel, safe and secure.

“I’ll take it,” he said calmly.

The salesman blinked, his smirk faltering. “Excuse me?”

“I said I’ll take it,” Colin repeated. “I’d like to arrange a test drive.”

The salesman chuckled nervously. “I’m afraid we don’t allow… people like you to test drive vehicles of this caliber.”

Mia laughed, shaking her head. “Oh, Colin, you never fail to entertain. But seriously, stop embarrassing yourself.”

Colin turned to the salesman, his gaze cold. “I’ll pay in cash. Do I need to go somewhere else, or will you take me seriously now?”

The salesman hesitated, glancing at Mia, who rolled her eyes.

“This should be good,” she said. “Go on, let him try. I’ll even film it for Livia. She’ll love the comedy.”

Colin didn’t flinch. He was no longer the man who begged for scraps or let others define his worth. He was determined, and nothing—not the ridicule of old friends nor the arrogance of strangers—would stop him.

This was just the beginning.