All Chapters of What Cannot Be Consoled: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

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 th

After more than a month of not seeing him, Oliver looked much older. His hands trembled as he opened a box and pulled out an emerald bracelet, pressing it into Pearl's hand."Pearl, this was Yolanda's. It's the Sterling family's heirloom meant to be passed down to daughters-in-law. She passed so suddenly that she never had the chance to give it to you. Today, I'm putting it on you myself, in case I pass away one of these days too...""Oliver, please don't talk like that."Seeing her once vigorous mentor now frail and elderly, Pearl's eyes grew moist. However, she knew clearly that she and Ethan were about to divorce. She could not accept this heirloom meant for a Sterling daughter-in-law. However, Oliver insisted on slipping it around her wrist. He continued, "You were still in school before, and you and Ethan didn't have a proper wedding. Now that you're graduating soon, you should make time for a ceremony. That was Yolanda's dying wish."Neither Pearl nor Ethan responded. Olive

"...The fetus isn't very stable right now, so the mother-to-be can't engage in any strenuous activities. Also, regarding intimacy, you should avoid it for these two months..."Seeing Ethan and Vivian walk into the examination room she had just exited, Pearl held back her tears and tried to leave. As she passed the doorway, she overheard the doctor's instructions to them."Okay. Thank you, doctor. I'll make sure she's careful," Ethan responded in a gentle voice. Even without looking, Pearl could easily imagine him protectively hovering over Vivian.Pearl quickened her pace but collided with someone in the corridor. Ethan, who was coming out of the examination room, spotted her anyway."Pearl?" Ethan frowned and called out to her. "What are you doing at the hospital?""I... My stomach was hurting, so I came for a checkup." Pearl clutched the pregnancy test results in her hand."Stomach pain?" Vivian emerged from behind Ethan and spoke in a rather intimate tone. "I heard from Etha

On the drive home after picking Vivian up from the hospital, Ethan nearly crashed into a landscaped median."Ethan, what's been wrong with you these past couple of days? You even forgot you promised to go to the movies with me!""I'm a bit tired today. Ask Joy to go with you instead." Ethan's fingers drummed irritably on the steering wheel.The unease in his chest grew heavier. For many days, Pearl had not sent him a single message, which was quite unusual.After arriving home, Ethan was debating whether or not to call Pearl when Vivian pestered him about wanting to learn painting.Ethan sighed helplessly. "Pearl has brushes. Let me look for them in her study."The study in this house was usually Pearl's space. He pushed open the door and was startled by the completely empty room."She used to have quite a few books here. Maybe she moved them to school."Yet the more he searched, the more wrong it felt. The bookshelf, drawers, and closet were all empty.Ethan's heart pounded w

"Miscarriage?"Hearing those words, Ethan's entire body went rigid."She must've gotten involved with some irresponsible scumbag. Not only did he ignore Pearl when she was pregnant, but when Pearl had a car accident and miscarried right there on the street, that bastard never once came to see her..."Celine condemned the unknown man with righteous anger. Ethan felt every word like a slap to his face.Images of running into Pearl at the hospital flashed through Ethan's mind. She had not looked well even then, but what had he been doing? He had been busy accompanying Vivian to her prenatal checkup!That day, when Pearl collapsed on the ground, he had not even spared her a glance before rushing off to stop Vivian's suicide attempt.She had been pregnant and had a miscarriage... and he had known nothing about any of it!Ethan's heart twisted into a knot. He wished he could go back in time and slap himself."Do you know which hospital Pearl was admitted to? I... I want to go see her