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

Rocco found a letter and a USB stick on the table.


With shaking hands, he hastily opened the envelope. The single sentence inside struck him deeply. It revealed that Valerie had been his enigmatic employer all along. She had departed, terminating their agreement, and instructed him to seek a new boss.


The message was terse, definitive, and provided no further information.


The USB device, however, contained additional images and recordings of him with Avery, as well as a series of WhatsApp conversations Avery had sent to Valerie.


Overwhelmed with remorse, Rocco covered his face and wept uncontrollably.


Valerie had been aware. She had witnessed everything that day. She had known it all.


Frantic, he scoured the entire house, but Valerie was nowhere to be found. She had vanished without a trace.


7#07