Chapter 1

My boyfriend was diagnosed with ALS.

I worked tirelessly day and night to raise money for his treatment.

Until one day, while working my part-time job, I overheard him speaking disdainfully to someone else.

"Blaine is nothing but an obedient dog."

In that moment, my world came crashing down.

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A second earlier before pushing open the door of the private room, I was still secretly delighted by the generous tip.

But when I saw Mason surrounded by a group of rich boys in the center, I couldn't smile anymore.

At this moment, he was wearing a tailored suit, exuding an air of wealth, and looking full of energy.

Where was any trace of the frail appearance that needed my careful care while bedridden?

He elegantly swirled the whiskey in his hand, his whole being radiating an innate nobility.

I stared at him in disbelief for another look, and heard a woman's coquettish voice in my ear.

"Mason, was the Cinderella game fun?"

"What kind of love potion did that Blaine give you, to make you go to such lengths to act out this boring charade?"

Mason didn't answer immediately. He took a small sip of his drink, hiding a smile in his eyes that made my heart race.

He reached out to gently caress the woman's cheek, then leaned down to kiss her.

The private room was filled with an ambiguous atmosphere, making my presence feel so out of place.

The woman giggled and said coyly,

"Mason, don't be like that. Come to my place tonight, I promise to make sure you enjoy yourself fully."

Only then did Mason withdraw his hand, saying teasingly,

"This is why Blaine is fun."

"She's so pure, unlike you who's so slutty, throwing yourself at any man you see." The woman threw herself into his arms, giggling uncontrollably.

"Oh, stop it! You shouldn't say such things about me."

I felt suffocated, struggling to swallow the bitterness rising in my throat.

At that moment, I was finally certain.

This well-dressed scoundrel before me was none other than Mason, my boyfriend of four years, with whom I had struggled through poverty.

Six months ago, Mason had broken up with me, his eyes rimmed red.

"Blaine, let's break up... I don't want to hold you back."

In that instant, tears streamed down my face uncontrollably.

"Why do we need to break up? Did something happen?"

I clung to him desperately, looking up at him in disbelief.

Mason was silent for a moment, then pulled out a medical report.

I took it and read the stark words: "Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)".

My world collapsed in that moment, and my voice broke with sobs.

"How can this be..."

Mason said nothing, just held me tightly.

I felt moisture on my shoulder.

"Blaine, I don't want you to see me in such a pathetic and ugly state when my ALS progresses."

His voice trembled slightly, filled with despair.

"I'm moving out tomorrow. While I can still move, let me hold you one last time..." I was overcome with emotion, my eyes turning red as I fiercely pounded on his back, choking out my words.

"What have you done with my feelings for you?!"

"How could I possibly let you bear this pain alone? Of course we'll face this together."

But Mason's treatment costs ran into the millions - an astronomical sum for a fresh college graduate like me.

After a while, he released me dejectedly, his voice low and hoarse.

"Blaine, I don't want treatment anymore. I just want to... spend this last bit of time with you."

Looking at his fragile expression, I forced a smile and gently reassured him.

"Don't worry, I'll figure something out."

My savings amounted to only a few thousand dollars - a drop in the bucket for his medical bills.

I sat motionless on the bed, staring blankly at the dresser.

It held my mother's belongings - a set of jewelry that was the only thing of value I owned.

On one side was my boyfriend of four years, on the other my mother's keepsakes.

I was faced with an agonizing decision.

That night, I curled up at the head of the bed, clutching myself tightly as tears streamed down my face, endlessly berating myself.

"I'm sorry, Mom. Your daughter is useless... Your daughter is unfilial."

When I was at my lowest point, it was Mason who pulled me out of the mire. Now I'll never abandon him in his time of need.

I sold our family heirlooms and moved into a damp basement apartment with Mason. But even that wasn't enough to cover the exorbitant medical bills.

To make ends meet, I had to give up the internship I'd just landed and take on three part-time jobs instead.

Every day I'd wake before dawn and hustle between shifts at the bar, convenience store, and tutoring center until late at night.

I was working myself to exhaustion, all to scrape together a bit more money.