What Cannot Be Consoled

Ethan did not come home all night. Early the next morning, Pearl saw a new post on Vivian's social media account.

"Going through a rough patch, but lucky to have someone willing to say 'let's go' and join me for a spontaneous midnight hike up Fishtail Mountain!"

Though the photo was primarily a selfie of Vivian, the tall male figure in the background was unmistakably Ethan.

Her followers in the comments were already gossiping.

"Free-spirited girls really are irresistible. The line of guys chasing Vivian probably stretches across the ocean."

"I knew Vivian wouldn't stay down after that cheating scumbag ex-husband. What an inspiration!"

"The mystery man in the background looks so tall. When are you going to show us his face?"

Pearl laughed softly. If these fans knew this 'mystery man' was married, what would they think?

Vivian had also left a comment. "Does anyone know the legend about Fishtail Mountain?"

According to legends, couples who climbed to the summit together would be soulmates for life. When Fishtail Mountain went viral online last year, Pearl had wanted Ethan to go with her.

She had begged him several times, but Ethan had only replied with a straight face, "Pearl, I thought you weren't the type to blindly follow trends?"

She had been speechless at the time and had to give up.

It was the same activity. However, when she proposed it, he said she had no mind of her own. When Vivian did it, she was carefree and independent.

That was the difference between love and indifference.

Pearl simply could not understand men. How could desire still function without love? To avoid a repeat of last night, she decided to pack up her belongings and take everything with her. She would not return here until she had the divorce certificate in hand.

Pearl lived on campus most of the time anyway. She had very few things here. All her clothes fit in a single suitcase.

Finally, she opened the nightstand drawer and took out a thick album of instant photos. Every single photo was of Ethan, but each one was a candid shot of his profile. It was because Ethan never cooperated when she wanted to take photos, much less pose for her.

Unlike the photo Vivian posted, where even though Ethan only showed his back, you could tell he had deliberately angled himself for the shot.

When she left, Pearl took the album downstairs and threw it in the trash. It was worth less than trash now.

As graduation approached, Pearl became so busy she barely had time to breathe. For two straight weeks, she hardly thought about Ethan at all.

After her Friday group meeting ended, Pearl looked at the missed calls from Ethan on her phone, somewhat confused.

In the last four years, no matter what happened, she had always been the one to contact Ethan first. Sometimes, she even had to make appointments through his secretary.

"Phone calls are the most inefficient form of communication. It's a waste of time."

Remembering what Ethan had told her before, she deleted the notifications, intending to ignore his calls.

Unexpectedly, Ethan called several more times in succession. Then, text messages followed.

"My dad wants us to visit him together."

Ever since Yolanda passed away two years ago, Oliver had never recovered. His health deteriorated almost overnight. He resigned from all his positions and voluntarily moved into a care facility.

Before, Pearl used to organize visits every ten days or so. Since last month's upheaval, she really had not been to see him in a long time.

Pearl felt a pang of guilt. Even though she and Ethan could not remain husband and wife, both Oliver and Yolanda had genuinely cared for her.

While she was still in the capital, she really should visit Oliver more.

Ethan drove to pick her up. As soon as they met, he asked, "Why haven't you been coming home lately?"

"Busy with school."

"That's good. Vivian thought you were angry that she and I were getting too close."

Ethan lightly tapped the steering wheel. "I told her you're not that petty, but she didn't believe me. She says she's moving out next month to avoid any awkwardness."

"Tell her there's no need. I don't mind at all." Pearl's voice was languid.

Ethan frowned slightly. This was exactly the answer he had wanted, but hearing Pearl say it so casually made him feel something was off.

At the red light, he wanted to look at Pearl's expression more carefully. However, she had already fallen asleep in the passenger seat.