Chapter 1 Wedding Anniversary

"Mark, we need to talk right now."

Mark Ferro, coming home from work in his janitor uniform, was surprised by his wife Celia's words.

He expected to greet her lovingly and give her a gift. Tomorrow, they would celebrate their first wedding anniversary.

"Yes, Celia. I'm listening," Mark closed the door, approaching her.

Celia's facial expression, however, didn't invite Mark to affection and hugs. She stood with crossed arms, her face indicating anger, a desire to vent.

"Mark, we need to end this deplorable situation in our lives," Celia continued, "You and I work in the lowest positions at the company, we barely have enough to eat, and you can't give me what I need, let alone what I want, for a long time."

Mark swallowed hard, understanding his wife's words. "I know, dear, but—"

"That's why I've already decided. I want a divorce!"

Celia didn't even give Mark a chance to try to argue.

Her words echoed in Mark's mind for a few seconds.

He thought Celia was just going to complain about life. That he was already used to.

He had everything planned. Even if Celia wasn't 100% comfortable, they would celebrate their anniversary.

After the celebration, Mark would talk openly with Celia and reveal something he had hidden from her for a year.

But now, Celia is asking for a divorce!

Confused, Mark shook his head as if he hadn't heard correctly. "Celia... What do you mean?"

"I think you understood me very well," Celia spoke with contempt, "But what can be expected from someone like you? You're incapable of understanding what I say and what I want."

"Celia, did you have a bad day at work? Let's talk..." Mark tried to put his arm around Celia.

But as if Mark's arm were an eel, Celia quickly dodged him, heading to the kitchen.

"Don't touch me! You disgust me!"

Mark didn't give up and followed her.

He knew Celia had every right to complain. The apartment they lived in was small and needed repairs.

The neighborhood was dangerous, and people weren't well-treated even if they didn't engage in bad activities.

In fact, Mark had always suspected that he and Celia only got low-level jobs because of their address.

Mark took a deep breath, "Celia, let's talk calmly. You're making a big mistake."

Celia, who was facing away and leaning on the sink, breathing deeply, turned to him with anger in her eyes.

"The mistake I made was marrying you a year ago!"

"Don't talk like that, Celia!" Mark defended himself, "We loved each other when we got married."

"But just love doesn't fill our bellies or pay the bills!" Celia retorted, "Look around you, Mark! Are you satisfied with everything we've 'achieved' so far?"

"Celia, if you calm down, I can explain better—"

"I'm tired of your excuses. Save your breath!" Celia shouted.

"You're upset, but when you calm down—"

"I won't calm down with you around. You've deeply disappointed me. Yes, we're completing a year of marriage, and that's why I started thinking and looking back on our lives."

Celia spewed these hurtful words at Mark.

"Can't you remember one good thing we've experienced together?" Mark asked with his head down.

Scoffing, Celia replied, "If there was anything, it was buried in the middle of millions of bad moments I've spent with you!

"And you know what's the worst thing? It's that when I met you, you had a different aura... You didn't seem like a loser to me! It's like I fell for a trick and ruined my life with you!" Celia raged furiously.

Mark took a deep breath. Celia wasn't wrong.

When they met, Mark was a different person. But to marry Celia, he had to be the person he is today.

However, all of this would change starting tomorrow, but Celia had decided to ruin everything today.

Celia had a year to ask for a divorce, but she decided to ask for it today! That was too absurd for Mark to accept!

How do I make her wait at least until tomorrow?

Suddenly, Mark remembered the package he brought and was still holding it. He smiled and extended the gift to her.

"What's this thing?" Celia reacted with disgust.

"Your wedding anniversary gift. Open it. You'll change your mind once you understand everything," Mark urged her, approaching slowly.

Celia finally took the package and examined it carefully. 

Mark smiled slightly. 

An exquisite small box. But the point is what inside. 

If Celia opened the package, her decision about the divorce would dissolve.