They were so wrapped up in each other that they failed to notice me standing just outside the window, frozen in place. The scene etched itself into my mind like a cruel work of art.
Passion consumed Rocco as he pressed Avery onto the cold lab table, his movements deliberate and intense. Avery looped her arms around his neck, her voice dripping with mock sweetness.
“Rocco, you’re freezing me. Do you warm your wife like this at home?”
Rocco’s expression darkened instantly, his voice sharp as ice.
“I’ve warned you before, don’t bring up Valerie when we’re doing this. Her name doesn’t belong here.”
“Valerie hates the cold. Do you think I could ever treat her this way?”
Avery pouted, but Rocco’s lips curled into a wicked smirk. His grip tightened, his tone now mocking.
“You, on the other hand, are big and hot, like a cow. But I wonder… do you have any milk?”
“Why don’t you try and find out?”
Others cheered beside him.
Rocco actually leaned in, a predatory gleam in his eyes.
My fingers trembled as I lifted my phone and recorded the scene unfolding before me. Every second felt like a stab to my chest, but I forced myself to dial Rocco on video.
He answered immediately, his upper body filling the screen as he straightened. The faint tremor of the camera betrayed his movements, his breaths barely audible but unmistakable.
One of his hands was pressed firmly over Avery’s mouth. Yet, his expression on the screen was warm, as if nothing was amiss.
“Hello, Valerie. What’s up?”
Could he not even bear to leave her for a moment? A wave of revulsion churned in my stomach, the urge to fling my phone almost overpowering.
“Nothing,” I said, forcing calm into my voice. “I just wanted to see what you were doing.”
His smile brightened, his happiness like a dagger twisting in my heart.
“Do you miss me? The office is freezing, so I’m doing a bit of exercise to warm up.”
His gaze sharpened as he noticed my background wasn’t familiar. His demeanor shifted, tension etching into his features.
“Valerie, you’re not home? Where are you?” His eyes flickered toward the door, his concern poorly masked by his usual charm.
I pressed my back against the cold, white wall, forcing a mask of indifference to settle over my face. My voice remained steady as I spoke into the phone.
“Didn’t you say you wanted braised pork last time? I’m at the supermarket fire exit—it’s too noisy inside.”