Five years after our wedding, Kingsley and I still hadn't gotten our marriage certificate.

Today was the celebration party for his company's IPO. It was also the tenth night I had pulled an all-nighter for the research that made his IPO possible.

I was exhausted and almost fainted at the party. But Kingsley never spared me a glance. He was too busy coaxing Mira, who had no appetite, to eat.

Many of our colleagues sighed and shook their heads, their eyes filled with pity.

After the celebration party, Kingsley and I were supposed to go to the city hall and get our marriage certificate. But once again, he went back on his words.

"Mira has been under too much stress from work lately. Her depression is acting up. I'm taking her out to relax.

"Don't come with us. It would make Mira more stressful.

"We'll reschedule the registration. You've waited five years, so a few more days won't make a difference."

With that, Kingsley hurriedly carried Mira into the car without waiting for my reaction.

Before the car door was closed, Mira stuck out her tongue at me. "Sorry, Emelia. Don't be mad at him."

In the past, I would have argued with Kingsley, questioning him, "Who do you think is under more pressure, her or me? And who is your wife?"

But this time, I only nodded and said, "Sure. Have fun."

Kingsley was stunned. But soon, he returned to his indifference.

"Good. At least you're not making a scene. As compensation, I'll bring you a gift tonight."

Before the car drove off, Mira took out a box of snacks from her bag and started eating.

Kingsley smiled, patiently waited for her to finish, and even wiped the crumbs from the corner of her mouth.

Kingsley was a neat freak and wouldn't allow me to eat in his car, fearing that I would make a mess.

Once I worked overnight and was starving and had stomach cramps. I tried to eat a piece of bread in his car, but he threw it out the window.

Kingsley said with disdain, "What are you, a child? Eating in the car—do you think that's cute?"

But it turned out Kingsley was a neat freak only when I was the one in his car.

My heart froze in the night wind.

I called Professor Richard. "I want to participate in the national new medicine research and development project you mentioned last time."

He was shocked. "Emelia, why the sudden change of heart? This project is highly classified. Once you join, you won't be able to contact the outside world for five years. Will your husband be okay with that?"

"We were never legally married. Don't worry."

Professor Richard paused for a while and sighed, "Come back. Our country needs you."

I read the project proposal Professor Richard sent me. When I arrived home, it was 11 pm.

Kingsley hadn't returned. I wasn't surprised.

Then, I browsed Instagram.

Mira had a new post—a photo of two hands intertwined, both wearing matching silver rings on their ring fingers. They were the newest style and looked pretty.

Mira posted, "Thank you for spending the whole night with me, Kingsley! I love the surprise you prepared for me. Happy five-year anniversary of our first meeting!"

I suddenly recalled that Kingsley had met Mira at our wedding.

It meant today was the 5th wedding anniversary for Kingsley and me.

But obviously, he had forgotten.

Swallowing the ache in my throat, I took off the wedding ring I had worn for five years.

The next morning, Kingsley came back.

His shirt was wrinkled, and the strong scent of perfume clung to him.

I recognized the fragrance, it was the one Mira always wore.

Kingsley's company was a biopharmaceutical company. He strictly forbade perfumes in the office, claiming they interfered with researchers' sense of smell.

But when it came to Mira, there were always exceptions.

Kingsley really cared about Mira.

Seeing my cold face, Kingsley explained, "Mira and I stayed out late. I didn't have time to buy your gift. I'll make it up to you next time."

I looked up at his ring finger. The silver ring was still there.

Kingsley hesitated for a brief moment before his tone turned defensive. "Mira's just a kid. We only wore them for fun."

"Be mature. Don't stick to trivial things."

I looked away. "Kingsley, let's talk."

I wanted to tell Kingsley that I was resigning. But Mira called.

"Kingsley, I accidentally lost the ring you bought. I'm so sorry. I'm so stupid. Kingsley, can you come and help me look for it?"

Kingsley coaxed Mira and left without looking back.

When Kingsley turned around, the bottom of his shirt swept the wedding ring I put on the table.

The wedding ring fell to the floor and rolled to the corner. But Kingsley didn't notice it.

Five years ago, Kingsley and I picked the wedding ring together. It was simple and small, not delicate at all.

At that time, Kingsley was still at the initial stage of his career. He smiled and promised me, "When I'm rich, I will buy you a bigger and better one. I'll love you forever!"

I believed him.

But when Kingsley met Mira, he forgot about his promises.

I withdrew my gaze. I bent down, picked up the wedding ring, and threw it into the garbage bin.

I went to the company to go through my resignation process.

My inferior was shocked. "Emelia, the company's listing is all your credits. You tackled the challenge and developed the medicine for senile dementia. Are you sure to leave at this time?"

They all knew my contributions and wanted to stop me from resigning.

"Does Mr. Larsen know that you are leaving?"

"I will tell him. But I don't think he cares."

With that, I took off my lab uniform and went back to the office to write my resignation letter.

A pretentious blame sounded. "Kingsley! You didn't wake me up! That's why I'm late!"

Mira was later. She entered the office with a thermal bottle in her hand.

Mira handed the thermal bottle to me, but I guessed she was just trying to show off the ring on her finger.

Mira complained to me, "Emelia, please tell Kingsley to behave! He forced me to drink hot ginger tea. I'm about to puke!"

Obviously, Mira was provoking me.

I didn't say anything.

Kingsley followed Mira with a new luxurious bag in his hand. He didn't even look at me.

Kingsley grabbed Mira and blamed her gently, "I told you to rest at home. Don't work too hard. Otherwise, you will feel pain again.

"Good girl, drink it."

Kingsley fed Mira the ginger tea. Then, he wiped the water at the corner of her mouth.

Other colleagues looked at me with pity in their eyes. But Kingsley didn't care.

My period always made me super painful.

At first, Kingsley remembered the date of my period and took care of me.

But starting from one day, when my period tortured me and I wanted to ask for sick leave, Kingsley would be impatient. "It's the critical moment of our development. It's not a big deal. Just bear with it."

At this time, Kingsley suddenly walked behind me and looked at my laptop screen, feeling shocked. "What are you writing..."

On the screen, I was about to send out my resignation letter.

"Oops!"

I was about to say something. Mira suddenly stumbled. The ginger tea in her bottle was poured onto my laptop.

My laptop made a few crackling sounds. Then, it completely blacked out and emitted black smoke.

This laptop recorded the core data of the medicine for senile dementia. Now, we lost the data.

The whole team had worked hard for a whole year. Now, all the effort was ruined in an instant. Everyone darkened their face.

Mira looked sorry and pounced into Kingsley's arms, looking at me with fear.

"I don't know why Emelia pushed me.

"Kingsley, is she still mad at me?

"Do I have to pay for ruining this laptop?"

Kingsley saw Mira's scalded hand and became angry.

"Emelia, why did you start to be so evil?

"Mira went to the same university with us! I'm so disappointed in you. Apologize to Mira now!"

I looked at Kingsley and said, "I didn't push her.

"And the most important thing now is to find back the data. Otherwise..."

"Otherwise, do the whole thing again!" Kingsley's face was cold. Without hesitation, he grabbed the laptop and smashed it on the ground.

The laptop was destroyed. The sharp pieces bounced up and cut the skin on my leg. My wounds oozed blood right away.

Kingsley didn't notice it and kept blaming me, "You tried to frame Mira. You deserve to lose all your data! I give you three days to retrieve the data!

"If what you have done affects the company negatively, I will never get the marriage certificate with you!"

In these five years, whenever I wanted to get the marriage certificate, Kingsley would have additional conditions.

He wanted to get his career steady first. He wanted me to take care of his mother first. He wanted to develop the new medicine first. He wanted to list his company first.

I had waited for five years. But this time, I didn't want to get the marriage certificate with him anymore.

I picked up my laptop and put it away.

Then Professor Richard called me, "Emelia, the organization is sending a car to pick you up tomorrow morning. Are you OK with it? Will it be too rushed?"

Their approval process was faster than I expected.

Kingsley grabbed my hand. He frowned with a clear unease in his eyes. "Tomorrow? Where will you go tomorrow? Why didn't you tell me?"

I thought this might be a good time to explain to him.

But before I could say anything, Mira raised her hand. "Kingsley, it hurts!"

Kingsley was startled. He quickly held Mira and left.

I looked back and answered the phone, "There's no problem with the time. I can leave tomorrow."

That night, as I was packing, Kingsley came back early unexpectedly.

Seeing the suitcase by my side, he asked, "Are you leaving for a business trip tomorrow?"

I nodded, not saying anything.

"You didn't tell me where you're going tomorrow."

Kingsley entered my room, and when he saw the messy room, he frowned.

He was always particular about cleanliness.

Usually, I would tidy up according to his preferences. No matter how busy I was, I would clean the entire house spotlessly.

Kingsley sensed something was wrong, so he looked around anxiously.

When he saw the wedding ring in my left hand disappear, he was surprised and held my hand tightly.

"Where's your wedding ring?"

We were married for five years. He knew how much I cherished that ring. I wouldn't take it off easily.

I pulled his hands away. "I lost it."

Kingsley's expression eased slowly. "It's OK. It wasn't worth much anyway. I'll buy you a new one next time."

Kingsley seemed a bit distracted. He misunderstood what I meant.

He took out a prepared gift box. "I said I'd buy you a gift. I never forget my promise. It's a Hermes scarf."

I glanced over. It was a free gift that came with the bag Mira was carrying today.

But Kingsley was always impatient with me. How could he bring a gift for me this time?

I looked at him in confusion.

Kingsley's expression was a bit hesitant. "Can you...give up the research result of the new drug this time?

"Mira's biggest wish is to get recognized by the company. She's been working hard on the new drug research. She deserves some credit.

"She's been upset lately, and you already have many achievements. You don't need this one. Can you give it to her this time?"

I was completely disappointed.

That was why he sent me a free gift, and I even needed to pay for this freebie.

"OK."

Anyway, I was going to leave tomorrow.

Not just this time, but all future research projects would be Mira's.

"You agree with it?" Kingsley stared at me, his eyes filled with doubt and scrutiny.

He didn't expect I would agree so quickly.

Seeing I was calm, Kingsley's expression relaxed. "We graduated from the same university. You should help Mira. She'll be grateful to you."

It seemed like he tried to make it up to me, so he added. "If you have time tomorrow morning, let's go to the city hall and get the marriage certificate."

But I was going to leave tomorrow.

At this moment, Mira's call came in again.

After answering, Kingsley was anxious. "Mira said she's in pain and needs someone to look after her. I can't leave her alone. I must go to her place now."

Kingsley rushed to the door, then he paused for a second, and asked me in a low voice, "If you mind it, I won't go."

I smiled lightly, "I don't mind, just go ahead."

Kingsley looked relieved. "Thanks for your understanding.

"Emelia, you're really mature.

"I'll go back early tonight. We'll go to get the marriage certificate tomorrow. Don't worry, I promise."

Kingsley didn't come back all night.

The next morning, the car sent to pick me up arrived.

I cleared out everything in the house that belonged to me and took the suitcase to get in the car.

Then I just saw Mira's new post on Instagram. This time she specially tagged me.

The first photo showed a man's hand rubbing her belly.

The other photo was a list of people receiving research awards. She highlighted her own name.

"Career and love, a double win. With Kingsley by my side, a little pain during my period is just nothing."

Kingsley's message came in at this moment, "Have to deal with some work issues and can't make it today. Let's cancel the appointment for the marriage certificate first."

I thought, "It's OK. I didn't make the appointment anyway."

Finally, I made a post on Instagram, "Resigned, and never got the marriage certificate. Kingsley and I are parting ways."

After posting, I turned off my phone and handed it over to the organization.