"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?"

Isabella pulled her hand out of Samuel's grasp.

"Maybe I lost it when I left the house this morning."

Samuel immediately reached for his phone to dial a number. "I'll have someone go look for it right now."

Isabella shook her head. "No need. Just consider it lost."

"How can you just let it go? This ring is our wedding ring—it's proof of our love."

Proof of their love?

Their love had already been shattered beyond recognition by his countless betrayals.

Isabella laughed softly. "It's just a piece of jewelry. It doesn't guarantee love."

Samuel insisted, "Diamonds are the hardest thing on Earth. It represents my unchanging heart for you."

"And what if one day, you betray me?"

"That's impossible."

"I'm asking, what if?"

Samuel looked at her, his gaze sincere, even solemn. He swore, "If I ever betray you, let me be pierced by a thousand arrows and die a painful death."

Isabella turned her face away, not wanting to see the fake earnesty in his eyes.

Back when she still loved him, hearing him make such an earnest vow would've made her rush to cover his mouth, worried that she was pushing him too far, forcing him to swear like that.

But now, she didn't love him anymore, and his words only sounded like a joke.

"Bella." Samuel wrapped his arms around her from behind, his voice tinged with a hint of complaint. "Why do I feel like something's off lately? You've been so distant."

"I haven't."

"You have," he insisted. "Bella, is it because I've been too busy and haven't had time for you? Are you upset with me?"

"I told you, I'm not," she said. "Let go of me."

"I won't," he said, pulling her closer. "Next week is our fifth wedding anniversary, Bella. I've prepared a surprise for you..."

Just then, his phone rang.

Samuel immediately released her and pulled out his phone, glancing at the screen.

From Isabella's point of view, she saw him smirk, a mischievous glint in his eyes, as his gaze on the screen turned suddenly suggestive.

He quickly typed a reply. Then, he looked at her with a slight apology and said, "Bella, there's an urgent matter at the company. I need to head out right now."

There was still a flicker of hope inside Isabella. "When will you be back?"

Samuel wrapped an arm around her, kissing her gently on the forehead. "I might not be back tonight. But tomorrow morning, I'll bring you your favorite pastries, okay?"

Just like that, he was gone.

His tablet was still on the couch in the living room.

Isabella picked it up, noticing that his WhatsApp was still logged in.

Two minutes ago, a woman under the name "Little Tease" had sent him a picture.

The woman was dressed in a bunny girl outfit—black fishnet stockings and bright red high heels. Her eyes were half-lidded, her cheeks flushed, and she was licking her fingers seductively.

Samuel: Want more?

Little Tease: It's so lonely and empty when you're not here, Master.

Samuel: I gave you love seven times today. Isn't that enough?

Little Tease: Are you coming over, Master? I'm yours tonight, do whatever you want…

Samuel's reply was short.

Samuel: I'm coming.

Isabella turned the tablet off, her heart sinking as she closed her eyes in pain.

She thought she had stopped caring, but seeing those messages again felt like a brutal punch to the gut.

Tears rolled down her cheeks, hot and relentless.

She didn't know when she fell asleep, but all she could remember was dreaming of a man and a woman rolling in the sheets together.

The man's face was Samuel's.

Just then, her phone vibrated.

She opened it to find a video.

The scene in the video mirrored the one in her dream perfectly.

The man and woman were passionately tangled together, even more intensely than in her dream.

Samuel's face was twisted in lust, and she felt nothing but disgust.

Jennifer: Have you ever seen him like this? He says he can only let himself go like this with me.

The short, one-minute video quickly ended.

And then, it looped.

Again, and again.

Isabella watched it like it was some kind of self-inflicted punishment, over and over again.

She needed to make herself see Samuel for what he was right now, to strip away the last shred of love she had for him, and finally drive him out of her heart.

Her lawyer had already drafted the divorce papers. She wiped away her tears, then carefully placed the divorce papers into a delicate gift box and tied a ribbon around it.

Samuel didn't return until the next afternoon, carrying a box of pastries.

"Sweetheart, I promised to bring you these—your favorite pastries. Aren't you happy?"

Isabella gave him a distracted hum.

Noticing the redness around her eyes, Samuel gently cupped her face, kissing away the tears. "Why are you crying? Who upset my precious wife? Tell me, and I'll make sure they pay for it."

He still carried that sickly-sweet scent of someone who had just indulged in an affair, mixed with the faint traces of another woman's perfume. It made her stomach churn.

Isabella pushed his hand away, creating some space between them.

"No one," she replied flatly. "I just watched a really touching movie last night."

Samuel pulled her into his arms, his voice full of concern. "Don't watch them alone anymore. Let me watch them with you next time."

Watch with her?

He was too busy giving all his time to Jennifer.

Isabella suddenly wanted to ask him if he even had time to spend with her anymore.

Samuel pointed to the delicate gift box on the coffee table, his face lighting up with surprise. "Bella, is this for me?"

Isabella nodded. "You said you had a surprise for me for our fifth wedding anniversary, right? Well, I have a surprise for you, too."

Samuel looked thrilled, holding the gift box like it was the most precious thing. "Can I open it now?"

Isabella said. "Our anniversary is a week from now. You can open it then."

Samuel thought for a moment, then nodded with a patient smile. "Okay, let's open our surprises together. It'll be more meaningful that way."

Isabella suddenly had the urge to see Samuel's reaction when he found out she had passed away and when he saw the divorce papers after.

Would he be shocked, confused, or... surprised?

Samuel, ever the charmer, tried to cheer her up. "I heard there's a good movie out. How about I take you to see it?"

Isabella wasn't interested, but the theater he mentioned was right next to their old high school. It was the place where he had confessed his love to her for the first time.

Back in their school days, they spent countless romantic, sweet moments on the street behind the school. It was a place that witnessed the happiest days of their love.

Since that was where it all began, it might as well be where it ended.

When they arrived at the theater, it was a little crowded.

Samuel wrapped his arm around her protectively, pulling her close to shield her from the pressing crowd.

Among the crowd, a few young women recognized them.

"Hey, isn't that Mr. Grant? The woman he's holding is his wife, right? She's so beautiful!"

"How does someone like Mr. Grant even exist? He's so handsome and devoted."

"They're such a perfect match. They really do look amazing together."

Samuel continued to protectively lead her to their seats. Then, he carefully helped her out of her jacket and held it for her.

The theater manager, Isaac Smith, approached them with a wide grin, carrying a hand warmer and a cup of ginger tea with honey.

"Mr. Grant, we heard that Mrs. Grant is going through a special time right now. We've prepared these just as you asked. Please let us know if you need anything else."

Samuel took the items from him.

He placed the hand warmer on her belly, and then handed her the tea. "The temperature's just right. Would you like a sip, Bella?"

Isabella mechanically accepted his care, remaining silent the entire time.

Samuel frowned slightly, then turned to Isaac. "Go and get some snacks, but nothing too greasy, spicy, or sweet. Bella doesn't like those."

"Of course, Mr. Grant, I'll be right back."

Isaac hurried off.

The movie's opening credits began on the big screen.

Just then, a woman approached Isabella's side and quietly said, "Excuse me, my seat is inside. Could you please let me through?"

The lights in the theater had already dimmed, and Isabella didn't immediately realize what was happening. She quickly moved aside, letting the woman pass.

It wasn't until the woman walked past her and then Samuel, finally settling in the seat next to him, that Isabella understood. She suddenly realized that the voice she had just heard was so familiar—it was the same voice from the video.

The woman was Jennifer, the same girl who had been tangled up with Samuel in the video.

At the next moment, the cup in Jennifer's hand tilted. The entire drink spilled across Samuel's stomach.

"Oh, sorry... I'm so sorry!" Jennifer apologized, fumbling for a napkin from her bag to help him wipe it off.

The dampness was on his stomach, but her hands kept sliding down, pressing in places that made Isabella's stomach churn.

At the same time, Isabella could clearly feel the arm around her shoulders suddenly tighten. Along with that, his whole body tensed up.

Out of the corner of her eye, Isabella glanced at Samuel's lower part. Jennifer's hand was underneath, with Samuel's hand firmly pressing down on hers, his gaze seeming to warn her not to cause trouble.

But Jennifer continued to act as though nothing was wrong. She continued smiling and wiping. "Sir, how about I just buy you a new pair of pants?"

"No need," Samuel's voice had turned rough and strained.

The movie started. It was an animated film—the animals were cute, and the plot was funny.

But Isabella couldn't focus on it at all.

Ten minutes into the movie, Samuel suddenly stood up. "Bella, Isaac doesn't know what snacks you like. I'll go check."

He still held her coat in his hand, draped over his forearm, covering the obvious state on the lower half of his body.

As he walked away, Jennifer stood up as well and followed him.

When she passed by Isabella, she flashed a disdainful smirk and shot her a quick glance.

The look seemed to say: See? He chose me.

Five minutes later, Isabella received a text: [Women's restroom.]

She quickly left the theater and headed to the restroom at the end of the hallway.

From the first stall in the women's restroom, she could hear muffled groans and faint pleas—no doubt Jennifer's voice.

And the man's voice... Isabella knew it all too well.

She stood frozen, rooted to the spot, unable to move.

The noise from the stall grew louder, and the woman let out a sharp cry.

Then, Samuel's mocking voice came, "Is that all you can handle? You chased after me to the theater, and this is how you perform?"

Jennifer whimpered, and it was hard to tell if she was crying or laughing. "I miss you... I just can't stand seeing you with her."

Samuel's tone cooled slightly. "I can give you everything else, but our affair can't be dragged in front of Bella. You've crossed the line tonight."

"Okay, I get it. But don't you think it's exciting to be in a dark theater like this? It's a thrill."

He chuckled softly. "It is a bit."

"Then… should we continue tonight?"

His voice was hoarse and strained. "I'll buy tickets in a bit for the midnight show."

"Make sure it's the last row, okay? That way we won't have to hide in the bathroom... We can just be in our seats…"

Not far off, Isaac hurried over. But he wasn't holding snacks—he had a small square box in his hands.

He quietly called out near the women's restroom door, "Mr. Grant, I've bought the thing you asked for."

The noise inside finally quieted for a moment, and Samuel appeared at the door.

Isabella quickly stepped behind a pillar, her heart racing.

Samuel chuckled lightly. "That was fast."

"Of course, the movie's short—only three hours. Can't waste a moment of your special time," Isaac replied.

Samuel sounded pleased. "Take good care of Bella. Don't let her notice anything unusual, understood?"

"You can count on me, Mr. Grant. Mrs. Grant is so innocent. Women like her are easy to please—she'll believe anything you tell her."

Isabella fled as if running for her life.

Back in her seat, she let herself cry for a few minutes. But then, she forced herself to stop.

This was the last time.

This was the last time she would cry for Samuel.

But it wasn't really for him. It was for the pure-hearted boy in her memories, the one who had only eyes for her.

The man with her now was nothing like that boy anymore.

And since he wasn't, she wouldn't hold onto him anymore.