A Whisper of Love's End

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?"