A Whisper of Love's End

"Ms. Jones, the service to fake your death that you requested has been arranged. Here's the agreement. Please sign here."

Isabella Jones glanced at the contract that the person placed before her.

Client: Isabella Jones

Cause of death: Falling from a mountain, eaten by wild animals. Unable to retrieve the remains of the body

Time of death: One week from now

One week from now would mark the fifth anniversary of her marriage to Samuel Grant. It was also the day she had planned to fake her death and leave him.

Since that was the date it all began, it might as well be when it ended.

After signing the agreement, Isabella Jones stepped out and happened to catch a live interview with Samuel Grant on the news.

The host asked, "Mr. Grant, you're so young and accomplished. What's your secret to success?"

Samuel raised his left hand and pointed to the wedding ring on his ring finger. "The secret is simple. I have a wonderful wife."

The host blinked in surprise. "Oh? I thought you'd share some insights about the industry and your future plans instead."

"That's not important. All the wealth I have right now doesn't compare to even a single strand of my wife's hair."

"Wow, I really envy your wife…"

On the screen, Samuel glanced at his watch, then smiled at the camera. "Sorry, we'll have to pause the interview for a moment. Time's almost up. I'd like to use this live broadcast to say something to my wife."

"Of course, Mr. Grant. Go ahead."

Samuel's voice softened. "Bella, I just had someone bring you some ginger tea with honey. It should be arriving soon. Drink it and get some good rest. I'll give you a massage when I get home."

Around her, a few young women gathered, watching the live broadcast on the big screen. They couldn't help but murmur in envy.

"Who is Mr. Grant's wife? To have a man like him so completely devoted…"

"That's so sweet! He dotes on her so much! Ugh, I'm so jealous!"

The sound of admiring voices filled Isabella's ears. Yet, the person in question remained silent, smiling mockingly.

Everyone thought she was the lucky one, that in a past life, she must have saved the entire galaxy to have married a man like Samuel.

She used to think so too.

But no one knew that Samuel had another woman on the side.

They had been married for five years, and for four and a half of them, Samuel had been seeing this other woman. Every time he said he was on a business trip, he was really with her, indulging in passion and unrestrained affection.

Isabella still remembered the first time she had seen those videos. Her heart felt like it had been pierced a thousand times with needles—pulled out and stabbed again and again.

By the end, it was shattered and broken beyond repair.

She also remembered when she was bullied in school. Samuel had stepped in, shielding her from the torment and fiercely teaching the bullies a lesson.

He had told her, "Don't be afraid. I'll protect you from now on."

There was another time, when they were driving, and an out-of-control truck came barreling toward them.

Samuel's first instinct was to throw himself in front of her, shielding her with his own body. He ended up in the hospital for over six months, barely surviving, almost becoming a vegetable.

When he finally woke up, his first words were to ask the nurse, "Is Bella okay?"

When the nurse confirmed she was fine, he let out a sigh of relief and said, "As long as Bella is fine, it doesn't matter what happens to me."

That was the moment Isabella truly fell in love with him—the man who would risk his life to protect hers.

She didn't understand it.

How could Samuel claim to love her while shamelessly sleeping with another woman?

Was it true that men could separate love from desire?

Isabella gently touched the wedding ring on her finger before taking it off. She walked past a disabled beggar sitting by the roadside, his empty tin cup containing only a few coins.

Isabella approached him and dropped the ring into his cup.

"Sell this. The money from it will be enough to buy a house and start a small business."

The beggar thanked her repeatedly.

In truth, Isabella had put it rather mildly.

The ring was a custom design by a foreign jeweler, and the diamonds alone were worth millions.

But now, she didn't want it anymore.

If a wedding ring symbolized love and loyalty, then her wedding ring was worth nothing right now.

Her phone rang—it was Samuel.

"Bella, where are you? The person with the ginger tea and honey came to the house, but you weren't there."

His voice was urgent, like he was genuinely worried about her.

Isabella replied flatly, "I just stepped out for a walk."

"Where are you now? I'll come pick you up right away."

"No need, I'll be home soon."

"No, you're on your period. I can't just leave you alone."

Samuel arrived within five minutes.

He rushed out of the car, quickly removed his coat, and draped it over her shoulders before pulling her into his arms. "Why are you dressed so lightly? You can't get cold when you're on your period."

As Isabella looked up at him in his embrace, she noticed several fresh, red marks around his throat.

They were recent.

There were also teeth imprints.

His clothes smelled faintly of a woman's perfume.

So, he had just left Jennifer Lewis's bed before heading to the interview.

As Samuel gently rubbed her fingers, he suddenly exclaimed in surprise, "Bella, where's your wedding ring?"