4#04

4

I had just completed transmitting all the information to my coworkers via my wrist communicator when the entrance suddenly burst open.

Rocco came rushing in, wrapping his arms around me firmly. His voice quivered with remorse.

"Valerie, I apologize deeply. I failed to shield you from their mistreatment."

"Disregard their foolish comments. I have no interest in having children. Please, don't abandon me. Don't end our marriage."

I could sense his body shaking, his embrace so tight I struggled to inhale. After managing to loosen his grip, I offered him a gentle, comforting grin.

"Don't fret," I responded, my tone eerily composed. "I won't seek a divorce."

Yet internally, I had already decided to leave him permanently.

Rocco exhaled deeply, his tension visibly easing. Grateful for the momentary relief, he softly took my hand, speaking with genuine sincerity.

"Valerie, I'm aware that my family has caused you distress over time because of me," he admitted, his voice tinged with regret.

"Don't worry. I'll find a way to silence them."

"My team has identified an unusual magnetic field near Liora Cliff recently. After analysis, it appears our hypothesis about parallel universes might be valid."

"This is significant. If we can confirm it, I can request substantial funding from my superior. With that, I'll retire early and dedicate myself to caring for you."

The Space-Time Transportation Bureau always planned well in advance for spacecraft departures. I hadn't anticipated Rocco's team becoming involved in this.

His phone rang once more. He glanced at me briefly before stepping into the kitchen to answer.

"Rocco, when are you returning? My abdomen has been aching, possibly from the earlier fall," the voice on the line complained.

"I'm anxious. Come keep me company, please? I've purchased some new, daring lingerie... just for us."

Upon his return, his face wore that familiar apologetic expression, as if it could remedy everything.

"Valerie, to gather additional data, I need to embark on a field expedition with my team for a few days."

So much for claiming he was indifferent about children.

I was weary of the charade.

"Go ahead. I hope you're successful," I replied, my voice devoid of emotion.

Before departing, he placed a gentle kiss on my forehead.

"Valerie, be good and await my return at home. When I come back, I have something to share with you."

But I was done with his empty words.

I smiled faintly, my eyes cold.

"Alright."

The moment he left, my phone buzzed with a WhatsApp friend request from an unknown contact.

Upon accepting, my phone was inundated with a deluge of photos. Most depicted Rocco and Avery in intimate situations, some taken on his office desk, others in the restroom, and the most disturbing ones in my own kitchen.

The final two images were the most revealing: a pregnancy report and a collection of luxury handbags, including the one Rocco had purchased for Avery at the shopping center that day.

Then, Avery sent an audio message.

"Valerie, have you seen this collection of handbags? Each time I'm intimate with Rocco, he buys me one. Can you fathom their total worth? Has he ever bought you any?"

"You're just a sterile woman, being used without compensation while I can provide him with offspring. Do you realize how much he values me and the baby?"

"When I mentioned our modest home, he risked his life gathering data in the wilderness just to secure enough funding to purchase a villa for me and the baby."

"Honestly, being a woman like you... you might as well cease to exist. But anyway, I'll conclude here. Rocco's with me now, keeping me company."

To further wound me, she sent a surreptitiously recorded video of Rocco entering and passionately embracing her.

I disregarded her, instead checking the time.

Only three days remaining.

Over the next two days, Rocco sent me a series of images showcasing the mountainous landscape.

"Valerie, it's stunning here. Let's visit together next time, shall we?"