Chapter 2

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."