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.

Samuel didn't return until the movie was almost over.

He still smelled of that sickly-sweet, pungent scent.

In addition to that, he brought a box of popcorn.

"Bella, I'm sorry I'm late. The popcorn machine broke down at the theater, and they spent forever fixing it. It's freshly made, though. Eat it while it's warm."

Isabella waved her hand. "I don't want any."

"Not even the ginger tea with honey?"

"I don't want it."

"Alright, no food, no drink, then. Let's just watch the movie."

Isabella scoffed. "The movie's almost over."

"It's all that technician's fault. He took so long to fix the machine."

"So, for the last three hours, you've just been waiting for him to fix it?"

Samuel nodded earnestly. "Yes. Isaac can vouch for me. If you don't believe me, you can ask him."

"No need," Isabella said, grabbing her bag and walking away.

Samuel hurried after her, holding her coat and the popcorn. "Bella, just tell me what I did wrong. I'll change, okay? Don't ignore me. I'm scared."

"Scared of what?"

"Scared that you don't love me anymore."

Isabella stopped and turned to face him, looking straight into his eyes.

It was he who had betrayed their relationship first.

It was he who said one thing and did another.

It was he who stopped cherishing her.

Since that was the case, she decided to take back everything—her heart, her trust, her love…

And her body.

She had given a piece of her clothing to Fauxlife Solutions, the agency that was faking her death. She had torn it up, then bit her finger and smeared the blood on it.

A week later, he would receive that bloody shirt.

And she? She would be gone from his life forever.

"Bella, why aren't you saying anything?"

Isabella exhaled deeply, her voice flat. "It's just my period. I'm a little tired."

"Let me take you home to rest."

"Okay."

On the way home, Samuel kept trying to talk to her, telling her jokes.

But Isabella only responded with, "I'm a bit tired. I want to rest."

With that, Samuel fell silent.

When they arrived home, he walked her to the bedroom.

Isabella asked, "Are you still going to the office tonight to handle work?"

Samuel hummed in acknowledgment. "There are a few things left to do. I didn't finish them yesterday, so I'll need to work late tonight."

"Then you should go."

Isabella turned her back to him as she lay down, sending a silent signal for him to leave.

Samuel stood still, not moving.

He seemed to sense that something was off, but couldn't quite figure out what was wrong.

Isabella suddenly had the urge to play a little prank.

She turned to him and said, "Can you not go tonight?"

Samuel visibly relaxed.

She still depended on him, still acted a little spoiled, and still wanted him close. That meant she hadn't discovered anything.

He smiled gently. "Sweetheart, I've already made plans. The executives are all waiting for me. But next week—next week, I'll make time to spend with you, okay?"

"Next week?"

"Yeah. Isn't next weekend our five-year anniversary? I'm planning a grand ceremony to let everyone in Herswick City know that you're the woman I love most in this life."

A grand ceremony?

Isabella smiled.

That made it all the more exciting.

"Alright, then. Go ahead."

"You're such a good girl, Bella. I'm leaving, then. It's about time for the meeting, and I can't keep them waiting."

Was he in a rush to not keep "them" waiting, or to not keep "her" waiting?

Samuel hurried out.

The tablet on the couch began vibrating again. They were in touch once more.

Samuel: Are you ready?

Jennifer sent a picture. This time, she was in a nurse's uniform.

Of course, not the proper kind—what should be exposed was, and what shouldn't was also exposed.

Samuel: I'll make sure you scream tonight.

Isabella turned off the tablet and began gathering her things. Her clothes, her purse, her shoes—everything Samuel had ever given her over the years.

Then, she went into the closet and continued pulling things out.

Her hand paused for a moment when she touched a metal box.

Inside the box were the letters Samuel had written to her—there was a thick stack of them.

When they first got together, he wrote, [From today, Bella is my one true love.]

On his birthday, he wrote, [My birthday wish is to spend a lifetime loving Bella and growing old together.]

For Isabella's 20th birthday, he wrote, [My darling Bella is of legal age now, I can't wait to marry you.]

On their wedding day, he wrote, [To the most beautiful and lovable Princess Bella, welcome to my world.]

Isabella didn't care to look at the rest. She took all the letters outside and burned them, letting the fire consume them completely.

The next morning, she was woken by the sound of Samuel entering the room.

He sounded angry.

"Bella, our wedding ring was stolen by a beggar, and he sold it at a pawn shop!"

Isabella felt a pang of disappointment.

How did he find it?

"And he sold it for only 10,000! It's such an insult to our ring!"

He came over, took her hand, and tried to put the ring back on her finger. "Now, let's return it to its rightful owner…"

Isabella pulled her hand back, refusing to wear the ring again.

Samuel seemed confused. "Bella, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing, I just... I've gained a bit of weight recently, and the ring doesn't fit anymore."

Samuel laughed. "That's okay. I'll take it to the jeweler to resize it for you."

"Whatever," Isabella replied, then asked, "You didn't do anything to that beggar, did you?"

Samuel came closer and hugged her. "Don't worry. I know how kind-hearted you are, Bella. You wouldn't want to see the beggar suffer. I didn't hold him accountable."

"Maybe we should give him some more money. He's pitiful."

"Alright, I'll give him another 10,000 later."

Just then, Isabella's phone rang, and she answered it.

"Hello, Ms. Jones, this is Fauxlife Solutions. We've completed the new identification documents as per your request. Are you available to pick them up?"

"Sure, send me the address."

"I'll send the location to your phone shortly."

"By the way, will the new documents allow me to purchase flight tickets?"

"Don't worry, they will be fully valid for that."

"Okay, thank you."

After Isabella hung up the call, Samuel suddenly seemed anxious and wrapped his arms around her. "Bella, what's this about new documents? Flight tickets? Are you leaving? Where are you going?"