Who's Crying Now, Ex-Husband?

Chapter 318

The church was nestled in a valley, ringed by mountains.

From the dip in the hills, a cluster of red-roofed buildings with gilded domes cascaded down the slope in tiers-a breathtaking sight.

As Mila made her way up the incline, she passed groups of worshippers in

crimson robes, hurrying by with purpose. The narrow lanes echoed with the steady murmur of prayers drifting from each chapel she walked past, and every so often, the faint scent of incense lingered in the air.

She glanced up just in time to spot several vultures wheeling overhead, their massive wings slicing the sky as their cries rang out, sharp and wild. They soared toward one of the distant mountain peaks.

It felt as if she were standing on the threshold between heaven and earth.

Mila paused on the slope, watching the vultures until they disappeared. She lingered for a moment longer, then turned to continue climbing-when a deep, gentle voice called out from behind, resonant enough to settle the soul.

"Miss, do you know where the vultures are flying?"

Mila started in surprise.

She turned to find, not far behind her, a priest in a crimson cassock, eyes gently closed and face turned in her direction. His expression radiated warmth and kindness.

Unsure how to answer, Mila simply shook her head, but the priest showed no reaction.

Her gaze lingered on his closed eyes, and a realization dawned. Hesitating, she offered a tentative answer.

"To the funeral platform?"

She'd read about the local traditions.

The sky burials.

the departed to be entrusted to

who would prepare the body for the waiting

was an act of ultimate compassion—a

The soul ascended.

to nature, feeding the birds-one last kindness to the

of life

priest suddenly asked, "Would you like

head. "No, I

gently and shifted topics without effort.

found

Mila froze.

at the priest, and in that instant, the world seemed to recede until only the two of them remained beneath the endless

It was strangely profound.

only answer, "I

an end

"Yes."

child. You'll

inside, a courage she didn't know she possessed stirred. Mila took a step forward, the words tumbling out before she could

the answer I'm looking

"Tell me

"Hear what?"

breaking free. She hurried

a surge of worshippers in crimson robes streamed up the slope, brushing past the two of them