WAR GOD : Rise After Betrayal

Chapter 2

“What else, Mrs. Rachel?”

Ares’s tone was flat. There was no anger, nor any pleading in it. That form of address made Rachel’s hand, which was still gripping his arm, stiffen instantly.

“Listen to me,” Rachel said sharply. “Take your trash belongings first. Don’t leave a single cheap item of yours in this house.”

Ares looked at the woman’s face for a moment. The face he once loved now felt unfamiliar. He gave a small nod.

“Very well, Mrs. Rachel.”

Without waiting for any further response, Ares turned around and walked up the stairs. The sound of his footsteps echoed softly through the large house.

In the room he had occupied for three years, Ares paused for a moment. His gaze swept across the simple space that stood in stark contrast to the luxury of the Corriere residence.

He opened the wardrobe, took a few pieces of clothing, and put them into the black backpack he had been using for a long time. There were not many items. Almost everything belonged to him from before the marriage.

He stopped in front of a small table in the corner of the room. An old photograph lay there. Their wedding photo.

Ares stared at it for a few seconds, then turned the photo face down and put it into the drawer. He closed the backpack, slung it over his back, and left the room without looking back.

When he returned to the lower floor, low laughter came from the living room.

Ares stopped walking.

In front of the sofa, Rachel was standing very close to a strange man. The man was tall and neatly dressed, his expensive suit looking brand new. His hand was gripping Rachel’s waist without hesitation.

And their lips were pressed together.

Ares let out a soft breath.

“Just divorced,” he said flatly, “and you’re already daring to be indecent in front of your ex-husband! How disgusting!”

Rachel was startled. She pushed the man away and turned around with her face flushed red.

“Watch your mouth!” she snapped. “How dare you speak like that!”

The man beside Rachel sneered. His gaze was full of arrogance. “So this is the useless man?”

Ares looked at him without expression. “And you must be the useful man my ex-wife was talking about.”

Rachel stepped forward, her face filled with anger. Her hand lifted, about to slap him.

But before her palm could touch his face, Ares quickly caught Rachel’s wrist.

“Enough,” he said coldly.

Rachel was shocked. “Let go of me!”

Ares released her, but the look in his eyes changed. Sharper.

The man let out a small laugh. “Oh? Still daring to resist?”

He stepped forward and stood right in front of Ares. “My name is Maxim Wilson. But you can call me Max.”

Ares gave a brief nod. “Not interested in getting to know you,” he said arrogantly.

Max chuckled. “Rachel really was stupid back then. To think she married a man like you.”

Rachel immediately stood beside Max, as if seeking protection. “That’s right. I was too naive. And I truly regret making him my husband. Huh, regret always comes too late.”

Ares clenched his fists. His chest felt hot. He tried to steady his breathing.

“Ares,” Max continued casually, “you should accept the reality that Rachel threw you away for me. Yes, if it weren’t for me, the Corriere company would have gone bankrupt.”

“And in order to save my company, it was better for me to divorce you,” Rachel added quickly. “I chose Mr. Max, who has everything! I’m very sure my company will advance and grow under Mr. Max’s protection.”

Ares gave a faint smile. “Yes, a quick choice. I hope it truly turns out that way. Don’t regret it in the end.”

Rachel was offended. “Shut up! I won’t regret it! Remember that!”

Max raised his hand, stopping Rachel. “Enough. No need to get angry at a man like this.”

He turned toward two large men standing near the door. “Teach him some manners.”

Rachel smiled. “That’s right. Someone like him needs to be taught a lesson once in a while!”

Then, the two men stepped forward.

“I suggest,” Ares said quietly, “you don’t do this.”

One of the bodyguards laughed. “Come on, beat him up.”

The first punch landed on Ares’s cheek. His head jerked to the side. The second punch struck his stomach, making his breath catch.

Ares did not fight back. He simply stood there, taking every blow. For some reason, he had no strength at all to resist the attacks of the two burly men.

Rachel watched with a tense expression, but she did not stop them.

“See?” Max said with satisfaction. “Still useless. Doesn’t even have the strength to fight back! Trash!”

Blow after blow continued to land. Ares fell to his knees. He tasted blood at the corner of his lips.

One of the bodyguards kicked him, sending Ares’s body crashing to the floor.

“That’s enough,” Max finally said. “Don’t dirty the future Mrs. Max’s house for too long.”

Ares lay there, breathing heavily. His vision began to blur.

Inside his head, something throbbed violently.

Suddenly—

The sound of metal clashing.

Screams rang out.

The sky turned red.

Ares gasped.

Strange images flooded his mind. A vast battlefield he did not recognize, blood flowing across the ground, thousands of figures kneeling before him.

A massive sword in his hand.

Shouts of a name that felt familiar.

Betrayal.

A sharp pain piercing his back.

“Argh!”

Ares clutched his head. His body trembled violently.

The bodyguards stepped back. “What’s wrong with him?”

Max frowned.

Ares struggled to rise. His hands trembled as they pressed against the floor.

The images did not fade. Instead, they grew clearer.

He saw the sky beginning to collapse.

Broken wings.

And a cold voice whispering in his ear.

‘You have forgotten who you are.’

Ares let out a low growl.

He staggered to his feet, blood flowing from his temple. His gaze was now different. Not angry, not afraid.

Rachel unconsciously stepped back.

“Ares?” her voice weakened.

Ares looked at Max. A thin, cold smile appeared on his lips.

“This isn’t over,” he said.

Max laughed nervously. “A threat from a battered man?”

Ares picked up his fallen backpack. He slung it back over his shoulders.

“You may enjoy your victory,” Ares continued calmly. He walked toward the door.

“Get out!” Rachel shouted. “Leave quickly and don’t beg to come back!”

Ares opened the door. Before stepping out, he turned around one last time.

“Rachel,” he said.

Rachel looked at him.

“Take good care of your choice. Thank you for these three years for letting me stay.”