ManyWriters

The scientists on our team frequently asserted that Rocco Ferrari was deeply, irrevocably enamored with me.
I suffered from an uncommon ailment; my body reacted strongly to physical contact, was susceptible to allergies, and conceiving was nearly impossible. To protect me from discomfort, Rocco took extreme precautions. During our intimate moments, he always insisted on dual protection, unwilling to jeopardize my wellbeing.
The idea of me experiencing the torment of fertility treatments was unbearable to him, so he made a daring public announcement, declaring himself sterile and uninterested in parenthood. This was his method of shielding me from scrutiny and conjecture.
Rocco harbored lofty aspirations in research, but lacked the financial means to realize them. Meanwhile, I had my own agenda: to collect information from this time period.
Thus, I concealed my true identity and became the anonymous sponsor of his entire team, financing every project and ensuring his vision remained unimpeded.
One day, while bringing Rocco his lunch, I overheard a conversation that stopped me in my tracks. His colleagues were chuckling, their teasing words cutting through the air.
"Rocco, did you conduct last night's online meeting while using Avery? Your voice even altered; was it that pleasurable?"
Rocco laughed, giving his coworker a friendly push, a self-satisfied grin spreading across his face.
"Don't exaggerate. But yes, the sensation without it is incredible."
Those words devastated me. My chest constricted as my heart crumbled to dust.
Later, with shaking hands, I contacted my team in the future.
"I want to return."
A familiar voice replied, calm and reassuring.
"Understood. The time-travel vessel will be waiting for you at the foot of Liora Cliff."
"The planned departure is in five days."

Love's Time Traveler, Betrayed by a Future She Funded

"Valerie, I've finally found a way to contact you. I'll track you down. Just wait..."


Before he could complete his ominous promise, I snatched the mallet from my desk and, without a moment's hesitation, pulverized the communication device into countless pieces.


I couldn't have predicted that Rocco would sink to such depths, transforming into an unrecognizable fiend.


Under my relentless interrogation, Calliope crumbled, her face drenched in tears as she admitted with a voice heavy with guilt.


"I'm so sorry, Valerie. It wasn't intentional; I had no clue he was capable of such actions. His abilities... they're far beyond what I could have anticipated."


I shook my head, my anger subsiding as I attempted to console her. "You're not at fault. If anyone should be blamed, it's me. I should have been more cautious with the device."


As the device was work-related, Calliope's information was its sole saved contact. With its destruction, Rocco could no longer reach out to me.


9#09