Chapter 1

"Ms. Frymet, your scheduled fake-death service has been fully arranged. Here's the agreement. Please sign here."

Bonnie Frymet glanced at the agreement pushed in front of her.

Client: Bonnie Frymet.

Cause of Death: Falling off a mountain, devoured by wild animals, no remains left.

Date of Death: One week later.

One week later marked her and Matt Ford's fifth wedding anniversary.

It was also the day she had planned to fake her death and leave him.

From the day their story began, it would end on the same date.

After signing the agreement, Bonnie walked out just in time to see Matt Ford's exclusive interview being broadcast on the news.

The host asked, "Mr. Ford, at such a young age, you've achieved so much success. What's your secret?"

Matt raised his left hand, pointing to the wedding band on his ring finger. "The secret is that I have an amazing wife."

The host paused, surprised. "Oh? I thought you'd share insights on the industry's future and your plans."

"Those things don't matter. All the wealth I've accumulated can't compare to a single strand of my wife's hair."

"Wow, your wife is so lucky to have you…"

On camera, Matt checked his watch before smiling warmly. "Sorry to interrupt the interview for a moment. I'd like to use your live broadcast to say something to my wife."

"Of course, Mr. Ford, go ahead."

Matt's voice softened further. "Bonnie, I just had someone buy you ginger tea with brown sugar. It's on its way. Drink it and get some rest. I'll massage your stomach when I get home."

Several women had gathered to watch the live broadcast on the big screen, their envious sighs filling the air.

"Who on earth is Mrs. Ford? How did she land such a devoted man?"

"He's so sweet and caring… I'm so jealous!"

Bonnie, standing amidst the murmurs of admiration, only sneered bitterly.

Everyone thought she must've saved the galaxy in her past life to marry such an extraordinary man. She once thought so too.

But no one knew that Matt Ford had been keeping another woman on the side.

Five years of marriage, and he'd been seeing her for four and a half of them.

Whenever he claimed to be on a business trip, he was actually with her, indulging in passion and intimacy.

Bonnie vividly remembered the first time she stumbled upon those videos—it felt like a thousand needles piercing her heart, over and over again, leaving it utterly broken.

She also remembered when she was bullied as a child, and Matt stood in front of her, fiercely defending her from her tormentors.

He told her, "Don't be afraid. I'll protect you from now on."

There was also the time when they were driving and a truck swerved out of control toward them. Matt's first instinct was to shield her, and he ended up in the hospital for over six months, nearly becoming a vegetable.

When he woke up, his first question to the nurse was, "Is Bonnie okay?"

Only after hearing a positive answer did he relax and say, "As long as Bonnie's fine, I don't care what happens to me."

From that moment, Bonnie fell completely in love with the man who was willing to risk his life for her.

She couldn't understand how Matt could claim to love her while shamelessly sharing a bed with another woman.

Was it true that men could separate love and desire so easily?

Bonnie touched the wedding band on her finger before sliding it off.

On the roadside, she came across a disabled beggar with just a few coins in his battered bowl.

She walked over and dropped the ring into it.

"Sell this. The money will be enough for a house and a small business."

The beggar thanked her profusely.

Bonnie had understated its value.

The ring was a custom design by a renowned international jeweler. The diamond alone was worth millions.

But she didn't care anymore.

If a wedding ring symbolized love and fidelity, hers was now worthless.

Her phone rang—it was Matt Ford.

"Bonnie, where are you? The person delivering the ginger tea said you're not home."

His voice sounded anxious, as if he genuinely cared.

Bonnie replied calmly, "I just went out for a walk."

"Where are you now? I'll come pick you up right away."

"No need, I'm heading back soon."

"I can't let that happen. You're on your period—I won't let you wander around alone."

Matt arrived in less than five minutes.

He jumped out of the car, quickly took off his jacket, and draped it over her shoulders, pulling her into his arms. "Why are you dressed so lightly? You'll catch a chill."

Looking up at him, Bonnie noticed the fresh red kiss marks around his Adam's apple.

Still visible.

With faint teeth marks.

His body reeked of another woman's perfume.

So, he had just come from Misty Karley's bed before his interview.

Matt gently caressed her fingers and suddenly asked in surprise, "Bonnie, where's your wedding ring?"

Chapter 2

Bonnie Frymet pulled her hand away from Matt Ford's grasp.

"Maybe I lost it accidentally when I went out today."

Matt immediately took out his phone to make a call. "I'll have someone look for it right away."

Bonnie shook her head. "No need. Let's just consider it gone."

"How can we just leave it lost? That ring is our wedding band, the symbol of our love."

The symbol of love?

Their love had long been disfigured by his repeated betrayals.

Bonnie smiled faintly. "It's just a piece of jewelry—it can't guarantee love."

"Diamonds are the hardest substance," Matt said earnestly, "and they represent my unchanging heart for you."

"What if one day, you betray me?"

"That's impossible."

"I'm asking, what if?"

Matt looked at her with sincerity and solemnity, even swearing an oath: "If I ever betray you, may I die a horrible death, pierced by a thousand arrows."

Bonnie turned her face away, unwilling to see his feigned devotion.

In the past, when she still loved him, hearing such a serious oath from him would have made her rush to cover his mouth, feeling guilty for pushing him to this point.

But now, with her love extinguished, his words felt like nothing more than a joke.

"Bonnie," Matt wrapped his arms around her from behind, his tone tinged with hurt. "I feel like something's off with you lately. You seem colder to me."

"No, I'm fine."

"You're not," Matt insisted. "Bonnie, are you mad at me for being too busy to spend time with you lately?"

"I told you, I'm fine. Let go of me…"

"I won't," Matt tightened his embrace. "Next week is our fifth wedding anniversary. Bonnie, I've prepared a surprise for you…"

As he spoke, his phone rang.

He immediately released her and pulled out his phone, glancing at the screen.

From Bonnie's angle, she could see the playful smirk on his lips and the sudden shift to an amorous gaze as he stared at the screen.

He quickly typed a reply, then looked at her apologetically. "Bonnie, there's an urgent matter at the office. I need to go."

A sliver of hope flickered in Bonnie's heart. "When will you be back?"

Matt wrapped his arm around her waist and kissed her forehead. "I probably won't be back tonight, but I'll bring your favorite pastries in the morning, okay?"

Matt left.

He forgot his tablet on the living room sofa.

Bonnie picked it up and saw that his messaging app was still synced.

Two minutes earlier, someone with the nickname "Little Tease" had sent him a photo.

The photo showed a woman dressed provocatively as a bunny girl—black fishnet stockings, bright red heels, her tongue teasingly licking her finger as her flushed cheeks hinted at desire.

Matt Ford: "Want more already?"

Little Tease: "Without you here tonight, I feel so lonely and empty."

Matt Ford: "I gave you seven rounds today, and it still wasn't enough?"

Little Tease: "Come over, Master. I'm all yours tonight—do whatever you want…"

Matt's response was succinct.

Matt Ford: "Wait for me."

Bonnie turned off the tablet, closing her eyes in pain.

She thought she had become numb, but seeing these messages hit her like a sledgehammer.

Tears burned as they streamed down her face.

She didn't know when she fell asleep, only that her dreams were filled with tangled images of Matt and another woman.

The man's face was unmistakably Matt Ford's.

Buzz—

Her own phone vibrated.

She unlocked it to find a video message.

The scene in the video was identical to her dream.

A man and a woman intertwined in heated passion, even more intense than she had imagined.

Matt's face, twisted with desire, filled her with revulsion.

Misty Karley: "Have you seen him like this? He said he can only let go with me."

The video, barely a minute long, played on a loop.

Again.

And again.

Bonnie watched it over and over, almost as if punishing herself.

She needed to see Matt like this, to erase any lingering affection she had for him and force him out of her heart entirely.

The divorce papers had already been prepared by her lawyer.

She dried her tears and placed the divorce agreement into an exquisite gift box, tying it with a ribbon.

Matt returned the following afternoon, carrying a bag of pastries.

"Darling, I promised I'd bring you pastries. Aren't you happy?"

Bonnie gave a halfhearted "Mm."

Matt cupped her face, kissing away her tears. "Why have you been crying? Who upset my darling? Tell me, and I'll make them pay."

The lingering scent of another woman and traces of her makeup on him made Bonnie's stomach churn.

She pushed him away, creating distance.

"It's nothing. I just watched a really emotional movie last night."

Matt hugged her tightly, his voice filled with concern. "Don't watch those alone again. Wait for me, and we'll watch together."

Watch together?

He was spending day and night on Misty Karley.

Bonnie almost wanted to ask him, "Do you even have time left for me?"

Matt's eyes landed on the elegant gift box on the coffee table, lighting up with surprise. "Bonnie, is this for me?"

Bonnie nodded. "You mentioned a surprise for our fifth anniversary. I have one for you too."

Matt's excitement was evident as he held the box carefully. "Can I open it now?"

"Open it on our anniversary next week."

Chapter 3

Matt Ford thought for a moment and nodded with a smile. "Alright, it'll be more meaningful if we open our surprises for each other at the same time."

Bonnie Frymet couldn't help but imagine his reaction upon hearing news of her "death" and then discovering the divorce agreement.

Would he be shocked, dumbfounded, or perhaps… relieved?

Matt coaxed her gently. "I heard there's a good movie out recently. Shall we go watch it together?"

Bonnie didn't want to go.

But the theater he mentioned was near their old high school—the place where Matt first confessed his love to her.

Back in their student days, they spent countless sweet, romantic moments on the street behind the school, memories of their most cherished days together.

Since their love began there, it might as well end there too.

The theater was crowded.

Matt encircled Bonnie in his arms, shielding her from the bustling crowd.

A few young women in the crowd noticed them.

"Oh my, isn't that Mr. Ford? And the woman he's holding—isn't she his wife? She's so beautiful!"

"Ugh, how is it even possible for someone as perfect as Mr. Ford to exist? Handsome and loyal!"

"They're the perfect couple. Absolutely flawless together…"

Matt protected Bonnie all the way to their seats, thoughtfully helping her remove her coat and holding it for her.

The theater manager approached them obsequiously, holding a hand warmer and a cup of ginger tea with brown sugar.

"Mr. Ford, I heard Mrs. Ford is feeling unwell these days, so we've prepared these as per your instructions. Is there anything else you'd like?"

Matt accepted the items, placing the hand warmer gently on Bonnie's abdomen and offering her the tea. "It's the perfect temperature. Drink some, Bonnie."

Bonnie accepted his care mechanically, remaining silent throughout.

Matt frowned slightly and instructed the manager, "Get some snacks too. Nothing too greasy, spicy, or sweet—Bonnie doesn't like those."

"Of course, right away." The manager hurried off.

The movie began, the opening scene lighting up the big screen.

Just then, a woman approached Bonnie, speaking softly. "Excuse me, my seat's inside. Could you let me through?"

The theater lights had already dimmed, and Bonnie instinctively made way for her without much thought.

It wasn't until the woman walked past her, then past Matt, to take the seat beside him, that Bonnie realized the voice was disturbingly familiar.

It was her—Misty Karley, the woman from the videos.

The next moment, Misty's cup of cola tilted, spilling its contents onto Matt's abdomen.

"Oh my… I'm so sorry, truly sorry…"

Misty apologized profusely while pulling tissues from her bag to clean him up. But as she dabbed at him, her hand started moving inappropriately downward, pressing teasingly.

At the same time, Bonnie felt Matt's arm tighten around her shoulder. His entire body seemed to stiffen.

Out of the corner of her eye, Bonnie saw Misty's hand beneath Matt's, his grip holding hers firmly in place—a silent warning to stop.

But Misty only smirked, continuing her playful cleaning. "Sir, how about I buy you a new pair of pants?"

"That won't be necessary," Matt replied, his voice hoarse.

The movie had started—it was an animated film with adorable animals and a funny plot.

But Bonnie couldn't focus.

Ten minutes in, Matt suddenly stood up. "Bonnie, the manager didn't know what snacks you'd like. I'll go check."

He took her coat with him, draping it over his forearm to conceal the changes in his lower body.

Not long after Matt left, Misty also stood and followed him out.

As she passed Bonnie, Misty's lips curled in a mocking smile, her gaze dripping with contempt.

Her eyes seemed to say: See? He still chooses me.

Five minutes later, Bonnie received a text: "Women's restroom."

She quickly left the theater and headed to the restroom at the end of the corridor.

From the first stall, she heard muffled groans from a man and soft, pleading sounds from a woman.

There was no mistaking the woman—it was Misty Karley.

And the man's voice was even more familiar.

Bonnie froze, rooted to the spot.

The sounds grew louder, the woman's voice turning into sharp cries.

Then came Matt's mocking laughter. "Is that all you've got? You chased me all the way to the theater, and this is it?"

Misty whimpered, her tone ambiguous between crying and laughing. "I missed you. I just couldn't stand seeing you with her."

Matt's voice turned colder. "I can indulge you in everything else, but you're crossing the line bringing this to Bonnie. Don't do it again."

"Fine, fine, I know. But don't you think this dark, secluded theater makes things… exciting?"

Matt chuckled lowly. "It does a little."

"Then tonight… will we continue?"

His voice was already rough. "I'll get tickets for the midnight show."

"Make sure it's the back row. Then we won't need to hide in the restroom…"

From a distance, the manager hurried toward the restroom, holding a small box.

He called softly at the door. "Mr. Ford, I've brought the condoms you asked for."

The noises paused momentarily. Then Matt appeared at the door, his tone light. "Fast service."

"Of course. Movie time is limited—we can't waste even a moment of your precious night, can we?"

Matt's voice sounded pleased. "Take good care of Bonnie. Make sure she doesn't suspect anything."

"Don't worry, Mr. Ford. Mrs. Ford seems like such a simple, trusting girl. She'll believe anything you tell her."

Bonnie fled, her heart pounding, back to her seat in the theater.

She allowed herself a few moments of silent tears before forcing herself to stop.

This was the last time.

It would be the last time she cried for Matt Ford.

Not for the man he had become, but for the boy who once loved her so completely.

The boy Matt Ford no longer existed.

And if he didn't exist, she no longer wanted him.