Chapter 7

Lily's POV

I didn't bring Snowball back to that cold home.

I personally dug a pit next to my mother's grave and buried Snowball there.

When I returned to the villa, it was already late at night.

The living room was brightly lit. Ethan sat on the sofa looking at a document, his brow slightly furrowed.

Hearing movement, he looked up. Seeing me soaked through and covered in mud, disgust flashed in his eyes.

"Where have you been? Missing for two days without even answering your phone. How long are you going to keep this up?"

I didn't answer. I just looked at him quietly.

Ethan irritably threw the document in his hand onto the coffee table.

"Fine. What happened with the dog was my fault. My subordinates didn't handle it properly. I've already fired that bodyguard. This is the climbing permit for Mount Sumeru and a full sponsorship contract. Consider it compensation."

Mount Sumeru.

It was the deadly peak my father never conquered before he died, and my greatest dream in life.

To get this slot, I'd prepared for three full years and put in countless efforts.

I numbly walked over and picked up the document.

However, when I saw the name clearly on the contract, my heart trembled.

In the climber column, it wasn't my name but Melody's.

"What does this mean?"

I asked.

Ethan avoided my gaze and explained in a forceful tone.

"Melody recently accepted a wilderness survival reality show. She needs a high-profile persona. Mount Sumeru is very famous. As long as she can take a helicopter to base camp and get some photos, she can establish a brave and strong image. This will greatly benefit her career."

"So you took my slot, my dream, and gave it to her for a publicity stunt?"

I found it so absurd that I couldn't help laughing.

"Lily, be rational."

Ethan frowned and self-righteously accused me.

"You climb just to satisfy your personal thrill-seeking and selfish desires. It has no value! But Melody is different. She's doing it for her career, to convey positive energy to the public. As Mrs. Clarke, shouldn't you make way for her?"

Selfish desires? No value?

I risked my life for that passion. I was obsessed with completing my father's dying wish. But in this man's eyes, none of it could compare to a few fake photos Melody posed for in front of cameras.

"Ethan," I looked at him and asked word by word.

"Do you remember? You once said I was the freest eagle on the snowy mountains."

Ethan froze for a moment, seeming to remember something, but it was quickly covered by coldness.

"People change. Your current stubbornness and selfishness only exhaust me."

"Fine. I understand."

I didn't tear up the contract or argue hysterically.

I calmly put down the document and turned to walk up the stairs.

Where Ethan couldn't see, I drafted a divorce agreement and signed my name at the bottom.

I didn't want anything anymore.

Equipment, compass, mother, Snowball, dreams, and Ethan.

I wanted none of it.