I Helped An Elderly Man On The Bus—He Turned Out To Be A Renowned Law Professor—and My Arrogant Husband Actually Knelt Down In Shock When He Recognized Him!

Stella said sincerely as she wiped the last of the tears from her cheeks.

“I pray that your children will always cherish you because you are a very wise person.”

Mr. Kesler smiled mysteriously at that blessing. He neither confirmed nor denied it, just gently patted Stella’s hand which was resting on the seatback.

“Save your tears, my dear. Don’t cry for someone who doesn’t know your worth. Lift your head. You did nothing wrong. Let the world see that you are strong.”

Not long after, the bus driver shouted loudly.

“Courthouse! Domestic Relations Division! Anyone getting off, get ready!”

Stella was startled. The short journey had passed so quickly.

Her heart began to pound again as she realized she had arrived at the battlefield.

“I have to get off here, sir,”

Stella said politely as she said her goodbyes. She quickly stood up and, out of reflex, extended her hand again to Mr. Kesler.

“Where are you getting off? Let me help you move to the side so you’ll be more comfortable if more passengers get on.”

Mr. Kesler also stood up slowly, holding Stella’s hand for support.

“I’m getting off here too, my dear.”

Stella frowned, puzzled.

“You have business at the court too?”

“Yes, I have a small matter to attend to. I thought I’d walk with you,”

Mr. Kesler replied calmly as he shuffled toward the exit door.

“Oh, please don’t trouble yourself, sir. You must be tired,”

Stella said, feeling awkward.

“It’s no trouble. On the contrary, I want to make sure you walk in there with your head held high. Consider it my way of paying you back for helping me earlier,”

Mr. Kesler said stubbornly but with a hint of humor. The bus stopped in front of the imposing courthouse building, which felt cold to Stella.

Stella got off first, then patiently helped Mr. Kesler down the rather high steps of the bus. They were now standing on the sidewalk, looking at the entrance of the building where the fate of Stella’s marriage would be decided.

The sun was getting hotter, but Mr. Kesler’s presence beside her gave Stella a strange sense of calm. She no longer felt like she was facing the world alone, even though she was only accompanied by an old man she had just met.

It felt much better than arriving alone like a loser. Stella took a deep breath, filling her lungs with new courage.

Together with Mr. Kesler, she walked through the courthouse doors, ready to face Gabe and all his arrogance. Unbeknownst to Stella, the old man’s small steps beside her were about to cause a huge stir inside that building very soon.

The Cook County Courthouse building stood solid with large pillars rising, as if to affirm that this was where all sacred vows would be tested and decided by the judge’s gavel. Stella entered the building’s courtyard with her heart pounding uncontrollably.

The air around felt heavy, perhaps from the aura of sadness and anger from the dozens of couples who came here with the intention of separating. Beside her, Mr. Kesler walked slowly but steadily.

His wooden cane tapped against the ceramic floor of the lobby with a regular rhythm. Their contrasting appearance drew the attention of a few people.

Stella, a young woman with a puffy face and simple clothes, walked alongside an old man whose clothes looked worn and out of place in such an elegant government building. Upon reaching the reception desk, Stella stopped.

She felt uncomfortable dragging this man she had just met into the embarrassing drama of her marriage. To her, Mr. Kesler had already been too kind by walking with her from the bus.

“Sir, thank you so much for accompanying me this far,”

Stella said softly, turning to face Mr. Kesler.

“If you have other business to attend to, please go ahead. I don’t want to trouble you by having you wait for my hearing, which might take a long time. Besides, the atmosphere here isn’t very pleasant for an older person.”

Mr. Kesler smiled slightly. The wrinkles at the corners of his eyes crinkled kindly.

He didn’t move an inch from his spot.

“Stella, an old man like me has plenty of free time. It’s lonely at home with no one to talk to. Besides, it’s hot outside. It’s cool and air-conditioned in here. Let me just sit in the waiting area for a while; it’ll give my legs a rest.”

Stella looked at the old man doubtfully.

“But sir, when my husband arrives, I’m afraid he might speak rudely. I don’t want you to be offended or yelled at as well. My husband can be a bit short-tempered when he doesn’t get his way.”

Mr. Kesler’s face became a little more serious, though his smile hadn’t completely disappeared. He gently patted the back of Stella’s hand.

“That’s precisely why I want to be here. I want to see for myself what kind of man would dare to waste a woman as polite and good as you.”

“Don’t worry about me. This old man has seen a lot in his life. The shouting of a young man isn’t going to give me a heart attack.”

Hearing Mr. Kesler address her so respectfully touched Stella’s heart. There was a sincere respect in the way he spoke to her, something that had long vanished from Gabe’s lips.

Stella finally nodded in resignation, but inside she felt relieved. Honestly, she was afraid to face Gabe alone.

Mr. Kesler’s presence, even as just a stranger sitting silently, gave her a bit of security. It felt like being accompanied by a father ready to defend his daughter.

“All right then, sir. Let’s sit in the waiting area over there,”

Stella invited. They walked toward the row of waiting chairs lined up in the corridor leading to the main hearing room.

Some people looked at them with questioning expressions. A security guard even eyed Mr. Kesler suspiciously because his appearance was considered unkempt.

However, Mr. Kesler walked with his chin up, indifferent to the dismissive looks from others. He had a strange self-confidence, as if this building were his own home.

As they sat down, Stella kept fidgeting with the hem of her dress. Her eyes darted around anxiously, searching for Gabe.

The fear was still there. The image of Gabe arriving in his designer suit, with his overpowering cologne and hurtful words, made Stella’s stomach churn.

“Stay calm, my dear,”

Mr. Kesler whispered from his seat beside her. He seemed to be able to sense the anxious turmoil in Stella’s chest.

“Take a deep breath. Don’t let him see you tremble. If you look weak, it will only make him feel more victorious.”

Stella followed his advice. She took a deep breath, trying to control her racing heart.

“Did you ever go through something like this before?”

Stella asked quietly, trying to distract herself with conversation. Mr. Kesler gazed into the distance, contemplating the painting of the scales of justice on the opposite wall.

“I’ve seen thousands of people cry in buildings like this, my dear. I’ve seen some cry with regret, some with pain, and some with joy at being freed from suffering.”

“Divorce is certainly painful, but sometimes it’s the gateway to true happiness. God breaks your heart today, perhaps to save your soul in the future.”

Those wise words once again penetrated deep into Stella’s soul. She felt that the old man beside her was no ordinary person.

His way of speaking was too refined for just a regular bus passenger. But Stella didn’t dare ask more about who Mr. Kesler really was.

For her, it was enough that Mr. Kesler was her guardian angel today.

“Case number A15, the petitioner and respondent, please prepare!”

The voice from the loudspeaker echoed down the corridor. Stella flinched.