Here Comes the Lord

Chapter 4 After Love Is Gone

Outside the registry office, Celia seemed to want to walk aimlessly along the sidewalk.

Some would say she was thinking about the next stage of her life.

Mark, however, didn't want to leave things as they were. He rushed outside and caught up with her.

"Celia!"

"For the love of Christ, Mark! Leave me alone, we are no longer married!" Celia yelled furiously.

"I know!" Mark grabbed her arm, forcing her to look at him. "But can't we even say goodbye?"

"Why?" Celia asked disdainfully.

"The judge must have thought you were escaping from a violent husband." Mark asserted, releasing her arm.

"I sincerely hope the judge thinks the worst of you!" Celia retorted.

"I didn't expect you to have such a low opinion of me." Mark lamented as he watched his now ex-wife.

"Mark, understand once and for all: I don't want anything to do with you anymore, I don't want to see you anymore, and I don't want to hear your voice anymore! Marrying you was the worst thing that ever happened to me!"

"You can't be serious. If only you had opened my gift—"

"I hope you threw or left that tacky package in the trash!" Celia shook her head, turning back.

Mark felt his hopes fading away.

Mark endured all of Celia's insults and financial difficulties because his sabbatical period would soon end.

Ordinary citizens, even those in the middle class, are unaware of this unwritten rule of the Aurelia Empire.

Every citizen holding a high position in the government and wishing to be absent must do so confidentially to avoid undue attention.

As Mark Ferro is the leader of the Aurelia Military Force, it became more than evident that he needed to keep his identity completely confidential to have at least a year of peace with his wife!

That's why he was so hopeful about their first wedding anniversary.

It was the moment when he would reveal his true identity to Celia and lift her out of poverty.

But Mark's dream was shattered because Celia chose the worst day to express her dissatisfaction.

If only she accepted the gifts he bought...

"You will regret this decision, Celia," he spoke as she walked away, "I hope you don't come after me when things change."

Celia froze in her tracks and spun on her heels.

With widened eyes, she sourly retorted, "Are you serious? Do you still feel capable of changing anything in your life?"

"You shouldn't speak so confidently about what you don't know." Mark hardened his gaze.

"Mark Ferro, for you to change my mind, you would have to appear before me in a tuxedo and bow tie, drive a fancy car, and gift me a diamond ring!

“But since that's practically impossible for a janitor, I shouldn't expect much. Remember, don't follow me and leave me alone, otherwise, I'll ask the judge to call the police and accuse you of harassment!"

Mark couldn't contain any hope anymore.

If that's what Celia wanted, then so be it!

Celia could file for divorce at any time if she wasn't satisfied.

But no, she made him live with her for a year, making him listen to all kinds of whining and complaints imaginable.

Now she reacts as if she alone suffered from the meager life they led.

"Fine, Celia. Don't cause a scene. You're the one who doesn't like people watching you."

Celia realized people were looking at her with concern.

But before she had to explain anything, a Citroën model car parked on the sidewalk.

The driver's door window lowered, and a man smiled at Celia.

"Celia, my dear! I never thought this could happen. What a coincidence for me to pass by here."

Mark narrowed his eyes at the man speaking to his now ex-wife...

He simply couldn't believe what he saw.

After taking a good look at the driver, he realized it was none other than Adrian Curtis, the son of the company's general manager where he and Celia worked!

But that wasn't the only thing that bothered Mark. There were two more details.

First, Adrian called Celia very naturally, as if they were seeing beyond work.

Second, Adrian wasn't the epitome of male beauty that many women seek. When Adrian smiled, he showed crooked teeth.

Still, Celia seemed to transform as she approached him and greeted him with a voice that Mark had already forgotten.

"You're free now?" Adrian's eyes widened with pleasure.

"Hello, Adrian. Yes, what you expected happened." Celia's voice was too sweet, in Mark's opinion.