WAR GOD : Rise After Betrayal

Chapter 1

“I need a useful man.”

Those words flowed flatly from Rachel Corriere’s lips without hesitation. In her hand, a sheet of white paper was pushed across the glass table in the spacious living room.

The man in front of her fell silent. He was Areskael.

His hand, which had been holding a teacup, froze instantly. His gaze dropped to the bold letters at the top of the paper.

Divorce Agreement.

“What do you mean by this?” he finally asked.

Rachel crossed her arms over her chest. Her beautiful face looked cold, without the slightest trace of guilt. “Don’t pretend to be stupid. Three years is more than enough for me to put up with a useless piece of trash.”

“What do you mean?” the man asked quietly. “Rachel, can’t we talk about this properly?”

“For what?” Rachel let out a small, mocking laugh. “For three years of marriage, what have you done, Ares?”

She stood up, looking her husband up and down. “You wake up early, clean the house, cook, then sit around waiting for me to come home. That’s all. For the past three years, I’m the only one who’s been working day and night. And you?”

“Yes, I know. I can only take care of the house while you’re busy working,” he replied calmly. “I’ve tried to find a job, but I always get rejected. Do you think I want to be unemployed? And why won’t you hire me at your company? Why do you always—”

“Enough!” Rachel cut him off sharply. “The company forbids husband and wife from working in the same company!” Rachel said firmly. “And now I need a well-established husband, not a jobless husband like you. Three years is enough! Consider these three years as compensation for the fact that you once saved my life from death.”

Ares clenched his fists on his lap, then slowly relaxed them again. “Rachel, calm down first,” he said patiently. “Let’s talk properly. I know your company is having problems. I can help.”

Rachel snorted. “Help how?”

“I’ll find a way. I—”

“Tsk.”

The sound came from the direction of the door.

A middle-aged man entered with heavy steps. His expensive suit contrasted sharply with the contempt on his face. Mr. Charlie Corriere, Rachel’s father, stopped right in front of the table.

He looked at Ares as if he were trash.

“You?” Charlie spat on the floor in front of his feet. “Trash like you wants to help the Corriere company?”

Ares lifted his head. His gaze remained calm. “Papa Charlie, I’m serious. Give me time. I’m sure I’ll get a job soon. Give me time.”

“Time?” Charlie laughed harshly. “Our company needs massive investment, not empty promises from an unemployed man like you, Ares.”

Rachel laughed along. “Papa is right. I’ve already given you three years. Now that’s enough!”

“I’ll find a job. I’m sure I can—”

“You already had three years,” Rachel cut in sharply. “And the result is zero.”

Footsteps echoed from the stairs. A woman in her fifties came down with an equally cold expression. Mrs. Maryam Corriere glanced at the man briefly before moving closer to her daughter.

“That’s enough, Rachel,” Maryam said. “There’s no need to drag this out. Just divorce this trash of a man.”

The man took a deep breath. He could feel his chest growing warm, something inside him surging, but he held it back.

Ares looked at Rachel, hoping the woman he loved would take back her words and not listen to her mother.

Then Rachel looked at him for a moment before giving a cold smile. “I really was stupid! To think that three years ago I married a useless man like you. Huh, I thought you’d get a decent job, turns out I was wrong.”

She pointed at the letter on the table. “Sign it. Now.”

“Rachel,” he said softly. “Are you sure about this decision? Are you sure you won’t regret it?”

That made Rachel burst into laughter. “Me? Regret leaving a useless man? Hahaha… Impossible.”

Charlie chimed in, “Sign it quickly and get out of this house. Don’t disgust us.”

Ares looked at each face in the room. Not a single one defended him. No one hesitated. Everything had already been decided before he was even given a chance to speak.

“There’s only one thing I want you to remember,” he said, still trying to remain calm. “I never hurt you.”

Rachel stepped closer, her face full of irritation. “Enough. I’m sick of hearing your nonsense.”

She shoved his chest with her palm. “Sign it now.”

Ares staggered a step back. His hand slowly reached for the pen on the table. His fingers trembled slightly as they touched the paper.

“You know,” he said, looking at Rachel’s name printed on the document, “I truly intended to help you.”

“Nonsense,” Rachel replied quickly. “After this, I’ll marry a rich man, a nobleman’s son. He has already agreed to help my company.”

The room fell silent for a moment.

Ares gave a small nod. “So that’s the reason.”

“Yes,” Rachel answered shamelessly. “He’s useful. Unlike you.”

Ares took a breath, then signed the paper with one firm stroke. After that, he crumpled the document in his hand.

Rachel extended her hand. “Give it to me.”

Ares threw the paper onto the table, right in front of Rachel. “Are you satisfied?”

Rachel took it without hesitation. “Very satisfied, Ares.”

Ares stood up. His posture was straight, his gaze steady. There was no longer any attempt to hold on.

“Don’t regret it,” he said shortly.

Charlie laughed mockingly. “Get out. Never come back.”

The man walked toward the door. When his hand touched the handle, he paused for a moment, then turned around.

“I hope this decision truly saves your company,” he said flatly.

Just as Ares was about to open the door, Rachel suddenly grabbed his hand.

“Wait, Ares!”

Ares brushed Rachel’s hand away, then faced the woman who was now his ex-wife.

“What else, Mrs. Rachel?”