CHAPTER 1

Chapter 1 — The Night Everything Ended

“And the award for Best Actor of the Year 2044 goes to…”

The presenter glanced down at the card in his hand before lifting his gaze toward the audience. A smile slowly spread across his face.

“Armin, for Psycho Sis!”

Thunderous applause exploded throughout the grand hall.

Music swelled as the giant LED screen displayed the image of a handsome man in a black suit rising gracefully from his seat. Though already in his late forties, still possessed the charm and elegance that had captivated audiences for decades.

With a bright smile, he bowed politely to the crowd before embracing the actor seated beside him and walking toward the stage.

Every step felt unreal.

The golden trophy placed into his hands was heavy—solid proof of every sacrifice he had made throughout his career.

Armin stood before the microphone, his warm light-brown eyes reflecting the dazzling lights above him.

“First of all,” he began softly, “I have to say that taking on this role in Psycho Sis was one of the greatest challenges of my acting career.”

A small laugh escaped him.

“And I’m truly grateful that all the hard work and dedication paid off.”

The audience applauded once more.

“I want to thank Director Pedro, the staff, and all my fellow actors who helped make this project perfect. Thank you to every fan who has continued supporting me until today…”

His voice paused briefly.

Then his expression softened.

“And most importantly… Charlie, my beloved partner.”

Whistles and teasing cheers erupted from the audience immediately.

Armin laughed helplessly before continuing.

“If you’re watching this right now, I want to thank you for always being my support and my reason to keep moving forward.”

His smile became gentler.

“I love you.”

The crowd burst into louder applause.

After a few more closing remarks, Armin stepped down from the stage with the trophy still clutched tightly in his hands.

Tonight was perfect.

Or at least… it should have been.

—

The awards ceremony continued for another hour before the after-party officially began.

“Armin, don’t tell me you’re really leaving already?” the actress who had worked alongside him asked teasingly.

Armin smiled apologetically.

“No. Please enjoy yourselves without me.”

“Oh~ Someone’s rushing home to celebrate with Mr. Charlie, huh?”

The actor only smiled knowingly in response.

Because it was true.

After saying goodbye to everyone, Armin quietly slipped out through the back entrance of the venue.

Cold night air brushed against his face.

The excitement from winning still lingered in his chest as he held the heavy golden trophy close.

Almost unconsciously, his eyes searched the area around him.

Searching for someone.

But after several moments, he sighed softly.

(They probably didn’t come this year either…)

Just as he lowered his gaze, a familiar voice suddenly called out.

“Mr. Armin, please wait a moment.”

Armin turned immediately.

The moment he recognized the man standing there, his tired expression softened.

“It’s you.”

The bodyguard bowed respectfully before presenting him with a large bouquet of deep red roses.

“My boss asked me to give this to you. Congratulations.”

Armin accepted the flowers carefully before noticing the small white card attached to them.

Elegant handwriting filled the card.

Congratulations on your success.

I will always support you.

— TD

A faint smile unconsciously curved onto Armin’s lips.

TD.

His mysterious fan.

For over twenty years, this person had remained by his side from the shadows. Every holiday. Every achievement. Every difficult moment.

Flowers.

Gifts.

Letters.

Always there.

And yet… never once appearing personally.

At first, Armin had found the attention unsettling. Whoever TD was, they clearly possessed considerable influence within the entertainment industry.

But as time passed and no harm ever came from it, Armin gradually became accustomed to the mysterious supporter.

By now, he even found himself waiting for the flowers each year.

“Please thank your boss for me,” Armin said gently. “And tell them to take care of their health. It’s getting cold lately.”

As he spoke, his eyes drifted briefly toward the black Mercedes-Benz parked silently across the street.

Its dark tinted windows concealed everything inside.

(Still unwilling to meet me in person, I see…)

Inside the car, a middle-aged man watched Armin quietly from behind the tinted glass.

Sharp eyes followed the actor’s figure without wavering for even a second.

A slow smile appeared on the man’s lips after hearing the message relayed back to him.

Warmth spread faintly through his chest.

Because even after all these years… Armin still cared enough to say those words.

Only after the actor disappeared from sight did the black Mercedes-Benz finally drive away into the night.

The owner of the roses never imagined…

That this would be the last time he would ever see Armin alive.

—

10:50 PM.

Armin stood frozen outside his bedroom door.

At first, he didn’t understand why his body had suddenly gone cold.

Then he heard it.

Moans.

Heavy breathing.

The rhythmic creaking of the bed.

For a long moment, Armin simply stood there in silence.

Tonight was supposed to be the happiest night of his life.

The night he won Best Actor.

The night he publicly confessed his love before the entire country.

He had imagined Charlie waiting excitedly for him at home.

He had imagined being hugged the moment he walked through the door.

Instead…

Reality shattered everything.

In one hand, Armin still held the golden award trophy.

In the other, the bouquet of roses.

Time seemed to stop completely.

Finally, the sounds inside the room quieted.

Slowly, Armin lowered the flowers onto the floor beside the door.

Then he opened it.

Click.

The sound startled the two men on the bed instantly.

Charlie’s face turned deathly pale.

“D-Darling…?! Why are you home so early?”

Beside him, another young man hurriedly grabbed scattered clothes from the floor, unable to even look Armin in the eyes.

“M-Mr. Armin, I…”

Armin recognized him immediately.

A rising actor.

Someone he had personally helped enter the entertainment industry.

Someone he had trusted.

The room suddenly felt suffocating.

His chest tightened painfully.

His trembling hand gripped the award tighter and tighter.

Betrayal.

Humiliation.

Anger.

Everything exploded together inside him.

“How could you do this to me…?”

His voice shook violently.

“How could you sleep with my lover?!”

Without warning, Armin lunged forward and swung the heavy trophy toward the younger actor.

Bang!

The man barely blocked the attack in time.

“Darling, stop! Are you crazy?!” Charlie shouted as he rushed forward to restrain him.

But the touch only fueled Armin’s fury further.

“Don’t touch me!”

The younger actor touched the corner of his bleeding lip before swearing angrily.

“Damn it!”

Armin raised the trophy again.

But this time, the younger man retaliated.

A powerful punch slammed directly into Armin’s face.

The trophy slipped from his grasp and crashed onto the floor.

Before he could recover, a violent kick struck his chest, throwing him backward.

“Armin!”

Charlie screamed.

But it was too late.

As Armin fell, the back of his head struck the sharp base of the fallen trophy with a sickening sound.

Everything went silent.

Warm blood spread rapidly across the floor beneath him.

The bouquet of roses lay abandoned beside the doorway.

His vision blurred.

The voices around him became distant and distorted.

Coldness slowly swallowed his body whole.

And then—

Darkness.

ARMIN

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