WAR GOD : Rise After Betrayal

Chapter 19

Chapter 19

Before they realized it, the wedding day of Rachel Corriere and Maxim Wilson had finally arrived.

The wedding hall stood magnificently in the city center. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, white flowers were arranged neatly along the aisle, and guests from the business world and distinguished families filled the room. The atmosphere was festive, yet orderly and refined.

Ares stood beside Elara, dressed in a simple black suit. His face was calm, but his mind had not truly been present since earlier.

“You didn’t actually have to come,” Elara said softly without turning her head. “I could have attended alone.”

Ares shook his head slightly. “My duty is to accompany you.”

Elara glanced at him. “You don’t mind?”

“No,” Ares replied briefly. That was not entirely true, but he chose to remain silent.

Tom approached from behind. “Miss Elara,” he greeted respectfully. “Many guests are waiting to offer their greetings.”

Elara nodded. “Alright.”

As Elara moved further inside, several people immediately stood and greeted her.

“Miss Elara Cole.”

“Good evening, Eldest Miss.”

“It is an honor to have you here.”

Elara responded with polite nods and a faint smile. Her demeanor was calm, her authority natural. Ares followed one step behind, observing how those people showed respect without pretense.

Near the altar, Maxim Wilson noticed their arrival. He immediately stepped down, leaving Rachel for a moment.

“Miss Elara,” Max greeted warmly as he extended his hand. “Thank you for coming. It truly is an honor for us.”

Elara shook his hand briefly. “Congratulations.”

Max smiled. “I hope we can work together in the future. My company is expanding, and—”

“We can discuss that another time,” Elara cut in gently but firmly.

Max was not offended. “Of course. I’ll look forward to that opportunity.”

He glanced briefly at Ares, then returned to the altar.

The wedding ceremony began. Soft music filled the hall, and the guests sat in an orderly manner. Rachel and Max stood side by side, wearing matching wedding attire.

Ares stared straight ahead, trying to focus on anything other than them.

But when the wedding vows were completed, Max reflexively caressed Rachel’s still-flat stomach. The gesture was gentle, full of meaning.

In an instant.

Heat surged through Ares’s body again.

His hands clenched unconsciously. His heartbeat shifted its rhythm. That whisper returned, low but clear, piercing his awareness.

That child is mine.

What surfaced was not jealousy, but something deeper and irrational. A conviction that did not come from human logic.

A faint glow appeared in his eyes.

The seal trembled.

“Ares.”

Elara’s voice sounded close. He turned and found Elara’s hand already gripping his.

“Are you jealous seeing your ex-wife?” Elara whispered, her tone flat, almost teasing.

Ares did not answer. He stared ahead, his jaw tightening.

It wasn’t jealousy.

He could not possibly say the truth. Even to himself, that feeling sounded absurd and unreasonable.

Elara’s grip tightened, warm and steady.

Slowly, the turbulence in Ares’s chest weakened. The light in his eyes faded, returning to normal. His breathing became more even.

Elara released his hand as if nothing had happened.

Ares lowered his gaze slightly. In his heart, the confusion only deepened.

Who am I really?

After the ceremony ended, the event continued with food and drinks. The guests began chatting, laughing, and exchanging business cards.

Ares stood near the drinks table. He picked up a glass of wine and sipped it slowly, trying to calm his thoughts.

“Ares.”

The voice came from beside him.

Rachel stood there in her wedding gown, her smile thin and cold.

“You’ve got some nerve showing up,” she said.

Ares glanced at her briefly. “I’m only accompanying Miss Elara.”

Rachel let out a small, cynical laugh. “You really have the nerve to work for her.”

Ares did not respond.

Rachel stepped closer. “Miss Elara hired a useless man like you? What exactly can you even do?”

Her voice was deliberately raised, loud enough to draw the attention of several people nearby.

Ares remained silent. His face was blank, unprovoked.

“Why so quiet?” Rachel continued. “Or do you really have nothing to be proud of?”

Ares finished the rest of his wine and placed the glass on the table.

“Excuse me,” he said briefly.

He turned and left without looking back.

Rachel snorted in annoyance but did not follow him.

On the other side of the room, Max approached Elara again. This time his attitude was more serious.

“Miss Elara,” he said quietly. “I want to discuss a collaboration.”

Elara looked at him. “At your wedding?”

Max smiled faintly. “Precisely because this is a good moment. My company is moving up. If it could stand on equal footing with the Cole Group—”

“We’ll talk later,” Elara cut him off coldly. “This is not the place.”

Max restrained himself. “Alright. I hope you’ll consider it.”

Elara did not respond. She turned to look for Ares, but he was no longer nearby.

In a corner of the room, Ares stood alone, staring at the crowd without truly seeing it.

The sensation of Elara’s grip earlier still felt real.

And that whisper, though weakened, had not completely disappeared.

He drew a deep breath.

With each passing day, he became more certain. There was something about himself he did not yet understand. And the answer would not come easily.

“Should I go see a psychiatric specialist?” Ares muttered.