A Whisper of Love's End

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.