The next morning was no different from any other. The same pigeons that circled over the empty streets, the same people who went somewhere against the cold wind. The city was as quiet as ever. Even the wind was quiet. And even Adelard's broken heart. All night long, he sat on the floor, reflecting on nature, on life. But all these reflections brought only more sadness to his soul. Never before had he felt suffering so strongly. It was as if suffering was sticking tiny needles into his heart, preventing him from taking a breathe. And in that moment, when the pain became too unbearable, he simply shut off his emotions and became like all the trees in the world. "Adelard, can you hear me?" Arthur, wearily, looked at the papers that held millions of numbers. "Adelard?" "Yes. I can hear you." "Suzanne, she left some money for you. Look at this. Also, she left you some of her stores." "Should I sign the papers?" 

The return was long and tedious. Through fog and dusty roads, across an ocean that retained all its eternal sorrow, Adelard finally arrived home. He opened his eyes and a seagull flew past him. The bird flew by as if it wanted to hit him with its wing. But he was able to bend his head and the bird just threw its strange look and flew away. The dampness was everywhere. It was impossible to hide from it. Adelard saw for the first time what this little town was really like. He saw that there was probably nothing beautiful here. Old houses with broken windows, empty bottles and scattered love letters adorned the streets with a light fog walking through them. The sky was gray. The color of it was just like a knife blade. And if it rained, the drops would just cut against that knife, making thunder replace wailing. Lonely horses were walking in an unclear direction, and somewhere far away was a man with a very tired face. He was wearing a torn hat, which was just his habit. G

In the nooks of the old houses, where street cats along with rats lived, Adelard found shelter from the rain and wind. Among the broken bottles, dirty clothes, and waste, he stood awkwardly holding the baby, who had finally stopped crying and was now just sleeping. The gray sky stretched along the broken roofs of several houses that towered over him. In one of the houses, an elderly woman was peering out of one window, trying to attract his attention. In the window opposite was a man who was smoking and looking at Adelard with disgust. These two people were looking at him, studying him and most importantly managing to judge him. Adelard, for the first time in his life, saw what judgment looks like in a person's eyes. Before, he had never paid attention to a person's bad sides. But now, in every wrinkle, in every movement of his eyebrows, he saw the disgust that was directed at him. When the thunder was strong to the little ears, the child began to cry again. Adelard had

With the arrival of early morning, Adelard left the house, hoping to see his wife. But the idea seemed too bad for him. He wasn't ready to see her. Acting like an adult, Adelard kept up his graceful gait and headed in the direction of the "ideal" society. He walked down the same streets with bright flowers, the same paths, past the same people who always greeted him with shouts and words of love. But now, he was only getting judgmental looks. How quickly people could forget everything. How quickly their love turned to hatred. Without lowering his head, Adelard walked slowly. On purpose, to understand what was happening, he stopped his gaze on each person. He looked into each person's face. Looking at each face, which radiated only mistrust, hatred, and even disgust, Adelard asked himself what had made them all change their minds about him. No answers came to him until young Theo stopped before him. Terrified, heartbroken, Theo ran up to him and, disregarding the others, hugged him t

Adelard stared silently at the bed which was barely fit for his height. And perhaps there was only the bed. Never before in his life, had he seen such a room. Only now did he realize that he really was naive. All this time, he had been living in luxury, not realizing that life is really about black and white. "Handsome, are you single? You don't have a wife, do you?" the woman asked, putting her hand on his shoulder. "What?" "You're so scared. Let me guess, you weren't one of the common people, were you?" "I don't know what I was," Adelard replied, and in the next moment, to make himself visible, Armand began to cry loudly. "And why do children cry like that? Is that what he needs?" "Where can I buy milk around here?" "There's a store across the street." Adelard looked at her. It was a young woman with green eyes. She had a delicate face and a slender body, but nevertheless, it wa