The Illusion I Loved Is Gone

Colleen snapped, "Lucius, is this your way of reminding me just how much you've done for me?"

So, she remembered everything I'd done for her. Back when everyone else gave up on her legs, I didn't.

I had finally found an experienced practitioner in Southbay—an elderly man named Vincent McClain.

Vincent started her on acupuncture the very next day, and within a month, she regained feeling in her legs.

However, just as hope returned, Vincent's son came to take him overseas for retirement. No matter how much money we offered, his children didn't want their father to strain himself treating patients during his golden years.

I knelt before Vincent and his son, begging desperately, until Vincent finally agreed to teach me his acupuncture techniques so I could continue treating Colleen myself.

I practiced relentlessly on acupuncture training models. Since I still wasn't confident, I started practicing on my own body.

When Colleen saw my legs covered in needle marks, her eyes turned red. She had said, "Lucius, I swear I'll never let you hurt yourself again."

That was only six months ago. Yet, after she stood up and became the golden girl again, standing at the center of everyone's attention, she forgot her promise. Those actions that once moved her to tears had now become calculated favors I had done just to make her feel indebted to me.

"Don't you need to take Ronald to see a dermatologist?"

I wanted her to disappear from my sight and didn't care if she thought I was provoking her. During those ten years of affectionate devotion, I had tried my best, gained something, and lost it all in the end.

I lay in the hospital bed, closed my eyes, and let the tears flow down my cheeks, soaking the pillow. With that, I also decided to move out of the Decker residence.

During my three days in the hospital, Colleen never came back. Surprisingly, Yvonne visited every day to check on me. She really was a good aunt. Only, it was too bad she wasn't my aunt.

While in the hospital, I browsed apartment listings on my phone and temporarily rented myself a small place.

When I returned home after my discharge, I started packing my things. My phone rang just as I was throwing my set of acupuncture silver needles into the trash.

"Lucius, I'm at Dynasty Club. Bring me the paper bag from my bedside table," Colleen instructed.

I was about to say I was busy, but then I thought I should say goodbye to Colleen face to face. Without much thought, I put on my jacket, grabbed the bag from her bedside table, and got in a cab.

When I opened the private room door, the air was thick with smoke, and everyone inside burst into laughter when they saw me.

"Ronald was right! Lucius really has no shame when it comes to being a lapdog. He's even willing to bring Colleen some protection, even in the middle of the night."

Colleen sat lazily on the leather couch while Ronald wore a mocking smile. "Lucius, thanks for making the trip. Coco only likes this particular brand of protection, and you can't buy them just anywhere."

Everyone's eyes focused on me with looks of pity, mockery, and contempt.

I truly didn't understand how Colleen had become like this. She had clearly said she was only with Ronald to get revenge for his abandonment. But in the end, why was I the one getting hurt? Me, who had never once left her side?

I stood in the noisy room, and suddenly, all other sounds were muted except for Ronald's and Colleen's whispers reaching my ears.

"Coco, doesn't Lucius look like a clown?"

I stared at them and walked over step by step.

"Colleen, I hope you two have fun going at it eight times tonight." I threw the bag at her. "I'm moving out of the Decker residence, so don't ask me to deliver these anymore."

With that, I turned and headed for the private room door. I had barely stepped out when Colleen grabbed my arm.

"I was just asking you to deliver something. Why are you throwing a tantrum?"

I didn't want to say another word to her and tried to pull my arm free, but she was gripping too tightly. Just as I was about to slap her with my other hand, a female voice spoke from behind me.

"Lucius, come here."