COLIN VERUS, A MAN REBORN

Chapter 5

Colin Verus walked into the jewelry store with Mia trailing behind, her expression a mix of excitement and anticipation. “Colin, I have to say, this is a surprising side of you,” she said with a saccharine smile. “I mean, the Colin I knew would never walk into a place like this. Let alone, you know… spend.”

Colin didn’t respond, his expression calm as he scanned the glittering displays.

The salesclerk, a young man in a tailored suit, gave them a once-over and raised an eyebrow. “May I help you?” he asked, his tone dripping with condescension.

“Yes,” Colin said, nodding toward a necklace that sparkled under the spotlight. “She wants that one.”

The clerk hesitated, then smirked. “Ah, I see. Sir, that necklace is priced at $18,000. Are you sure you’re—”

“Does it matter if he’s sure?” Mia interjected, her tone playful but edged with sarcasm. “Let the man dream a little, right?”

Colin ignored her jab and reached into his pocket, pulling out the Emperor Card. The clerk’s smirk froze, his eyes widening.

“I’ll pay for it now,” Colin said simply.

The sudden shift in the clerk’s demeanor was almost comical. “Of course, sir! My deepest apologies for the delay. Allow me to prepare everything for you immediately.”

Mia, now openly gawking at the card, turned to Colin with an incredulous laugh. “Okay, where have you been hiding this? Is there a secret billionaire club you joined that I don’t know about?”

Colin shrugged. “Not everything needs to be public, Mia.”

A few minutes later, the store manager approached with a carefully wrapped box. “Mr. Verus, thank you for your purchase. As a token of our appreciation, we’d like to offer you this exclusive set of couple rings. A perfect gift for a man of your caliber and his… companion.”

Colin glanced at the rings, their elegance undeniable. “No, thank you,” he said, his voice steady. “She’s just a friend.”

Mia’s face tightened, her laughter forced. “Well, aren’t you loyal,” she said with a faint sneer.

Colin handed her the necklace. “This is yours. Take care of it.”

Mia’s fingers closed around the box, her eyes narrowing slightly. “You’re full of surprises, Colin. Maybe you’re not as boring as I thought.”

Colin didn’t respond, his focus already elsewhere.

Later that evening, the Aurelius family annual meeting was underway. The grand hall was filled with laughter, glasses clinking, and the kind of smug superiority only the Aurelius family could muster.

Livia sat near the center of the table, her back straight, her composure unshaken despite the familiar sneers thrown her way.

“Livia,” Vulpes called from across the room, his voice loud enough to draw attention. “How’s your husband doing these days? Still freeloading off the scraps you bring home?”

Laughter rippled through the group, and Vulpes leaned back in his chair, clearly enjoying himself.

Livia met his gaze calmly. “Colin’s doing just fine, thank you.”

“Is he?” Vulpes said with a grin. “Because last I heard, he was begging Mother for money. Oh, wait—he wasn’t begging, was he? He was groveling.”

Aunt Sabina joined in, fanning herself theatrically. “Honestly, Livia, you’re too kind. I’d have thrown him out ages ago. Imagine the audacity of a man like that pretending to belong here.”

“Pretending?” Vulpes chuckled. “He doesn’t even pretend well. Poor guy can’t even fake wealth.”

Lucius, Livia’s father, shifted uncomfortably but remained silent, as always. Aemilia, her mother, sipped her wine with a faint smirk, clearly not inclined to intervene.

Livia took a deep breath, refusing to rise to their bait. “It’s funny how much you all seem to know about my husband. Almost like you’re obsessed.”

Her words earned a few raised eyebrows but silenced the laughter momentarily.

Just then, the butler entered the room, his voice carrying over the chatter. “Pardon the interruption, but a delivery has arrived.”

All eyes turned toward the entrance as a grand, ornately wrapped box was wheeled into the hall. Its rich, crimson fabric and golden ribbon drew gasps of surprise.

“What in the world?” Sabina muttered, leaning forward in curiosity.

The butler cleared his throat. “The sender has chosen to remain anonymous. The gift is addressed to the Aurelius family.”

Vulpes smirked, his voice dripping with mockery. “Anonymous? Oh, this is too good. Let me guess—it’s from Livia and her parents. A desperate attempt to make up for their lack of contributions.”

More laughter erupted, but Livia remained composed, her gaze fixed on the mysterious box.

“Or maybe,” Vulpes continued, “it’s from Colin himself. Though I don’t know how he’d manage something like this unless he sold a kidney or two.”

As the laughter grew, the butler carefully unwrapped the box, revealing a stunning sculpture crafted from solid gold and encrusted with gemstones. It sparkled under the chandelier’s light, casting intricate reflections across the room.

The laughter died instantly, replaced by stunned silence.

“By the gods,” Sabina whispered. “Whoever sent this must be unimaginably wealthy.”

Vulpes’ face twisted with disbelief. “There’s no way this has anything to do with Livia or Colin.”