The Quiet End of Us

"Joanna?"

Henley's voice pulled Joanna back to the present.

"I feel like having fish," she said. "Make fish stew tonight."

Taking off his coat, Henley moved close to Joanna's side and nuzzled his face into the curve of her neck like a clingy, insecure little animal.

"Joanna, I missed you so much. You're my everything—my only love in this world!" he proclaimed.

"You'll always love me too, right? You'll never leave me, will you?" Henley asked questions like this often, as if he was never tired of hearing the answer.

If Joanna didn't respond immediately, he'd sulk like a child, his eyes reddening as he accused her, "Joanna, am I annoying you? Do you not love me anymore? If you don't, just kill me now. Without you, I can't go on."

In the past, Joanna would laugh, half exasperated, and swear, "I'll love you forever. I'll never leave you."

This time, she stayed silent, tapping her fingers lightly on the armrest to change the subject. "I'm a little hungry."

Henley's expression darkened at her lack of reassurance. He was about to speak when his gaze shifted to her bare left hand.

"Where's your ring? Where's our wedding ring?" he demanded, grabbing her hand, his voice trembling with panic.

That ring was special. Henley had made it himself, spending two months crafting it from scratch.

He wasn't a jeweler—he knew nothing about designing or working with metals. His hands had been cut and bruised countless times during the process, and he'd almost lost a finger to a saw.

Despite it all, he had been determined to make her a one-of-a-kind ring.

Joanna had cherished it, never taking it off.

Now, she calmly pulled her hand back. "The ring broke. I sent it for repairs."

Before Henley could press further, his phone rang.

A quick glance at the caller ID made Joanna's gaze dim.

It was Addison Shorrock—one of Henley's students, the same woman who had been sending Joanna those photos.

Henley tensed, ending the call without answering.

The phone rang again—and again. Five or six times in a row, as if the caller wouldn’t stop until he picked up.

"You should answer it," Joanna suggested. "It seems urgent. Maybe it's something important."

Relieved by her words, Henley finally picked up.

"I told you before—handle the research on your own. Stop running to me for every little thing," he said coldly. "If you keep this up, I won't approve your project!"

The usual distant professionalism.

Who would've guessed that a man who seemed incapable of betrayal was secretly having an affair with his student?

Henley intentionally lowered the volume on his phone and stepped out onto the balcony.

Joanna couldn't hear the conversation but simply stared at the faint indentation on her finger where her ring used to be.

When Henley returned, there was a faint trace of joy in his expression, though he tried to hide it. "Joanna, it's getting late. I'll head to the market now and buy fish for you."

"Okay," Joanna answered.

Before leaving, he kissed her on the forehead. "Wait for me. I'll be back soon."

As the door clicked shut behind Henley, Joanna picked up her phone.

Addison had sent a new video.

In it, two undressed bodies were entangled, moving together. The obscene sounds of water squelching and heavy breathing filled the background.

The video ended with a message: [I just asked Henley if he wants me again. Guess what his answer will be?]