In their four years of marriage, Ethan Sterling had always refused to visit any romantic couple destinations with his wife, Pearl Whitmore. He said she was shallow and just chasing trends.

However, when his first love came back from overseas, he could not wait to take her up the legendary mountain where it was said couples who climbed it successfully would grow old together.

Pearl divorced him and moved abroad. However, Ethan followed her to the new country, sobbing as he searched for her in the ruins...

"I want a divorce."

In the fourth year of her marriage, Pearl Whitmore decided to end it. However, the lawyer across from her seemed to think she was wasting his time. He raised an eyebrow. "Young lady, divorce isn't a one-person decision."

Pearl understood why the lawyer was not taking her seriously. She had come straight from teaching at the school, still in her hoodie and jeans. She did not look like someone filing for divorce.

However, she had prepared thoroughly before coming. She said methodically, "I just need you to draft a professional divorce agreement. I'll get my husband to sign it."

She and Ethan Sterling had no children, and she wanted none of the assets. The agreement was simple enough to fit on two pages.

When she got home and opened the door, a pungent smell hit her nose.

Pearl looked over. Vivian Shaw and Ethan were eating takeout, with half a slice of blue cheese sitting on the dining table. They were talking about something, laughing so hard that they were practically leaning into each other.

When Ethan noticed Pearl standing in the doorway, he immediately straightened up and asked in a measured tone, "Pearl, I didn't know you were coming back. I only ordered two portions. What do you want to eat? I'll order something for you."

"No need. I already ate at the school." Pearl glanced at the food and lowered her eyes.

For years, she had never dared eat anything with a strong smell, all because Ethan had rhinitis. He said he hated it when there were weird odors at home.

Pearl pulled out the divorce agreement from her bag. She handed Ethan a pen. "The school has a liability waiver that requires a family member's signature. Could you sign it for me?"

Pearl was an orphan, and Ethan was her husband, making him her only family.

"Let me take a look." Ethan frowned slightly and reached for the document.

Pearl had not expected him to actually want to read it carefully. He had never paid much attention to her affairs. Ever since Vivian returned to the country a month ago after her divorce, he had been even less attentive.

Pearl's fingers tightened around the divorce agreement, and her body went rigid. She did not know whether she should let him see it right now.

"Ethan, what's gotten into you?" Vivian's red lips parted, and she teasingly swatted Ethan. "Why are you being so rigid with Pearl? You look like you're about to bite someone's head off. You're scaring poor Pearl."

"Am I?" The furrow in Ethan's brows instantly smoothed. His eyes crinkled with a smile as he took the document from Pearl. With a flourish, he signed his elegant name where she pointed.

Pearl felt relief wash through her, followed immediately by a flash of self-mockery.

Ethan was only cautious and formal around her. When Vivian was by his side, his vigilance disappeared, and he became completely relaxed.

If he had just looked a little closer, he would have realized this was not a liability waiver but a divorce agreement.

Nevertheless, he was too busy responding to Vivian's teasing. "Deep down, I still see Pearl as a little sister. Gotta keep up the big brother act."

Only as a sister?

Pearl's movements froze. She thought about how he used to pin her beneath him every night, panting as he pulled her into his chest. That was not what he had said then.

Pearl's parents died when she was young. After Oliver Sterling learned about her family situation, he often invited her to his home for dinner under the pretense of having her help organize research materials.

Through these visits, Pearl came to know Oliver's son, Ethan.

Oliver was a clinical medicine giant, but his only son had not followed him into medicine.

Instead, Ethan had founded his own gaming studio in college. Even before he turned 30, he had become a regular fixture in financial magazines as one of the new elites.

With his superior looks and the halo of wealth, he was the dream boyfriend of countless young women. Pearl was no exception.

After a few encounters with Ethan, her heart started racing whenever she saw him. However, she knew their statuses were worlds apart. She kept her admiration buried in her heart. Even when sitting at the same table with Ethan for meals, she never dared look at him openly.

Four years ago, when Oliver and his wife, Yolanda Brooks, went on a business trip together, they asked Pearl to go to their house to mail a document for them.

That night, Pearl had just sent out the envelope and was about to leave when a completely drunk Ethan stumbled in from outside and collapsed into her arms.

Ethan had gone at her forcefully. Pearl half resisted, half yielded. The two of them eventually made their way to the bed, where Ethan roughly left a bite mark on her shoulder. His voice, thick with alcohol, carried a hint of resentment. "You know perfectly well that I like you!"

Pearl only learned later that Vivian had a shotgun wedding with a foreigner that very day. Before that, she did not even know about Vivian's existence.

When Ethan had approached her, Pearl had been overjoyed, thinking her secret crush was finally reciprocated. In the darkness, she gave herself completely to him, body and soul.

The next day, Yolanda came home and discovered their reckless behavior. She made Ethan promise on the spot to take responsibility. Hence, they registered their marriage.

Over the past four years, the couple spent little time together because Ethan was busy with work and Pearl lived on campus. When Ethan acted cold toward her, she always assumed it was just his natural personality.

She willingly gave everything, never expecting anything in return.

A month ago, she used her scholarship money to book a high-end restaurant to celebrate their fourth wedding anniversary, which was also her 24th birthday.

She had booked Ethan's time with him half a month in advance, even repeatedly confirming it with his secretary.

Ethan had also promised her that he would definitely be there. However, that evening, she waited until the restaurant closed. Ethan's phone remained unreachable.

After being asked to leave by the staff, she saw the news on her phone about a sudden car accident nearby. Her heart immediately clenched with worry.

Within two hours, she ran to every hospital in the area but found no trace of Ethan. Finally, she managed to get through to Connor Ford on the phone.

Connor was one of the few people close to Ethan who knew about their relationship. He sounded surprised. "Ethan didn't tell you? Vivian Shaw came back to the country today. He's at the hotel throwing a welcome party for her."

Pearl had never heard Ethan mention Vivian's name. When she arrived at the hotel and saw for herself, she discovered that the only travel blogger Ethan followed, Vivi, was actually Vivian.

When she reached the door to the private room, a large group of their old classmates was playing a drinking game. Amid the raucous cheering, Ethan swept Vivian up in a princess carry and downed a full glass of liquor in one gulp.

Pearl had never seen Ethan so happy. She burst into the room, hoping Ethan would give her a reasonable explanation. However, when Ethan saw her, his face showed only embarrassment.

He introduced her to everyone around them, saying, "She's my relative's younger sister."

With that, Pearl finally understood. She had never been part of Ethan's life.

At this moment, watching Ethan and Vivian naturally swap food from each other's plates, Pearl quietly tightened her grip on the divorce agreement in her hand.

Once the mandatory cooling-off period ended, she would get the divorce certificate and leave Ethan, who had never truly been hers.

Vivian rented an apartment upstairs from Ethan and Pearl, and she came down to visit almost every day.

Ethan, who used to work overtime constantly and rarely came home, suddenly seemed to have all the time in the world. He would wait at home every day.

After dinner, they would watch TV in the living room. This time, Vivian invited Pearl to join them.

"I haven't finished my thesis yet. You two go ahead and watch." After Pearl replied, she returned to the bedroom.

Vivian's cheerful laughter drifted in from outside. "Pearl's such a good student—not like me. Back then, I was always making you help me with my homework, Ethan."

Pearl stayed busy with her laptop until 11:00 pm. She did not notice Ethan shuffling in wearing slippers. He reached for the document folder on the desk, and Pearl's heart lurched. She tried to stop him, but it was too late. The signed divorce agreement was inside.

"What's this?" Ethan frowned as he pulled out a sheet of paper from the folder and tossed it on the desk. "You're applying to go to Arcanum for aid work?"

Pearl looked closely. The application form for the school's Arcanum aid program was on top. "That's not mine. I printed it for my roommate. She doesn't have a printer in the dorm."

Pearl's expression did not change, and Ethan believed her. He then lost interest in her folder.

Pearl breathed a sigh of relief. She did not want Ethan to know about the divorce yet. This marriage had been built on her one-sided wishful thinking from the start. Hence, she wanted to leave this marriage with dignity and composure.

"I heard the Arcanum aid program requires spending three years in the poorest parts of Arcanum. It's pretty tough."

Ethan's long fingers tapped the table intermittently as he said slowly, "You don't need to join in on that. My dad's old connections are enough to get you a good job at a hospital in the capital."

His words sounded caring, but Pearl smiled bitterly inside.

She was first in her major every year. During her time in graduate school, she had published over a dozen papers. With her own abilities, she could easily stay in the capital and pick any position she wanted. She had no need for connections.

Ethan did not even know these things. In their past four years together, he had never tried to understand her.

In contrast, Pearl even knew Ethan's favorite air conditioning temperature. When they slept, she would lower the temperature in advance, only to end up shivering and sneezing in the middle of the night.

Today, she refused to force herself anymore.

Sure enough, as soon as they lay down, Ethan tossed and turned. "Why is it so hot today?"

"It's not hot. I'm cold," Pearl said this flatly, then turned over with her back to Ethan and pulled most of the blanket toward herself. She thought Ethan would adjust the temperature himself.

Unexpectedly, Ethan's long arm reached out and pulled her close from behind. His warm breath brushed against Pearl's neck, carrying a hint of desire.

Ethan worked out regularly. With one forceful pull, he flipped Pearl around into his embrace, and overwhelming kisses rained down on her.

Pearl struggled, but it was useless. Ethan was always dominant in bed, completely unlike his usual refined and calm demeanor.

She frowned and turned her head. She looked at the digital clock on the nightstand. It was Friday today.

Over the past four years, they spent every Friday night like this. Before, she thought it was because they had not seen each other all week, which was why Ethan was so insatiable.

Then, a few nights ago, she was unable to sleep and kept scrolling through Vivian's social media account. That was when she discovered that Vivian would post new videos every Friday.

Vivian was a travel blogger. Every video showed her traveling around the world with her foreign husband. Aside from scenery shots, nearly every frame was of them showing off their relationship.

The thought that Ethan had only spent all those intimate nights with her because of Vivian's posts made Pearl feel sick.

She dry heaved, and Ethan's movements finally stopped.

"What's wrong?"

Ethan turned on the wall lamp. The dim yellow light illuminated his chiseled profile.

"I'm not feeling well today... Ugh..."

Pearl had only meant to stop Ethan from continuing, but her stomach churned violently, as if her insides wanted to come out.

"Let me take you to the hospital. Could you be..."

"No!"

Pearl knew what Ethan was suggesting, but they always used protection. It was impossible.

"Let's go to the hospital anyway. Whether you are or not, you look pretty miserable right now." As he spoke, Ethan had already gotten dressed and picked up his car keys from the nightstand.

He was about to help Pearl up when his phone rang. Ethan glanced at the caller ID and immediately answered. Whatever the person on the other end said made Ethan frown slightly before he let out a helpless laugh.

After ending the call, he turned to Pearl. "Vivian's watching a horror movie alone, and she's terrified..."

Under the lamplight, Ethan's expression showed hesitation.

Pearl understood what he wanted to say. "Go keep her company. I'm fine."

As she spoke, Ethan's phone rang again. The urgent ringtone seemed to press him forward.

He glanced at it and quickly stood up. After walking a few steps toward the door, he seemed to suddenly remember something.

His face showed a trace of guilt. "I'll take you to the hospital when I get back."

Watching the door close, Pearl smiled bitterly. When he got back? That was the most useless phrase. She did not like waiting.

The nausea made it impossible to sleep. Pearl simply sat up and pulled out the Arcanum aid program application form from the document folder.

She had been hesitant about going abroad. However, given the circumstances, she would inevitably run into Ethan after the divorce if she stayed in the capital after graduation. It was better to go abroad and gain some experience for a few years.

When she reached the marital status section of the form, she decisively wrote down 'single'.

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.