But since last month, Rocco has been requesting funds more and more frequently. Thinking it was for his research, I transferred the money without hesitation, never imagining it was to win over another woman.
I curled deeper under the blanket, my body trembling, but no matter how tightly I wrapped myself, the coldness in my heart remained unyielding.
Suddenly, the crystal bracelet on my wrist flickered to life, and a colleague's face appeared in a projection.
It was a communication device designed to connect with my colleagues from the future. To keep Rocco from becoming suspicious, I had disguised it as a bracelet.
"Valerie, the time-travel spaceship has already left. It will reach the base of Liora Cliff at 00:00 in five days. Don’t be late."
I pulled myself into a tight embrace, finding comfort in the thought that in just five days, I could escape. I wouldn’t have to lay eyes on Rocco ever again.
The next day, Rocco took me to the mall to pick out a new phone. I couldn’t bring myself to care, ready to grab any phone at random, knowing I wouldn’t need it for much longer; after all, mobile phones were already obsolete in the future.
But he wouldn’t hear of it. Insisting on buying me the latest and most expensive model, he wouldn’t relent.
While replacing my SIM card, Rocco slipped away for a moment. When he returned, he was holding a luxury handbag, a new release worth tens of thousands.
“A colleague from my team asked me to pick up a gift for his girlfriend. Since I was already at the mall, I agreed to help,” Rocco explained with a smile. I already knew the truth but said nothing, nodding in silence.
I hadn’t wanted to visit Rocco’s family. Despite years of marriage, we had no children, and his family resented me for it. But as his wife, avoiding such a gathering would only stir up trouble with his mother. Skipping it seemed like inviting unnecessary drama.
Sure enough, as soon as we sat down, his mother, cradling a baby in her arms, began with her sharp words.
“Some people act like they own the house, yet they can’t even lay an egg. They even have their husbands claim they’re infertile; what’s their excuse?”