Love Signed Away the One Hundredth Time

I turned to see a kind, surprised face.

It was my mentor in college, Jedediah Kemp.

When my marriage to Craig was announced, he'd opposed it, calling me relentlessly. He didn't attend the wedding.

Unable to explain my family's coercion, I let him drift away. Now, he was my only elder.

My eyes welled up, my voice trembling. "Professor."

Tears broke free, years of suppressed grievances flooding out.

"Don't cry," he said. "My daughter bought your drawings. Michele, do you want to continue your studies?"

His eyes held the same encouragement as years ago. I nodded, tears falling.

Had the crisis not occurred, I'd have gone abroad with him for my first art exhibition.

We handled the paperwork and waited at the airport.

At the Kennedy Villa, Craig paced the living room, agitated. "Still no sign of Michele?"

The butler shook his head.

"Find her! Keep looking until you do!" Craig's voice was sharp, his usually calm eyes wild with panic.

Lucia, wearing my nightgown, draped herself over him. "She is probably just out sulking. She has no friends and no family. What's there to worry about?"

She twisted her waist, leaning in to kiss him.

Craig shoved her off, his glare deadly. "Get out! Who permitted you to wear her clothes? Take them off. No one touches her things."

Lucia ran off, crying.

Craig sat on the sofa, waiting stubbornly. Each tick of the clock fueled his irritation. He called me repeatedly, leaving furious voicemails after the system prompted him.

"Are you running away? Get back here in an hour, or I'll divorce you for real!"

An hour later, he yelled again, "Time is running out. Even if you beg, I'll end this!"

By the third message, his voice cracked with desperation. "You're testing me, right? Come back! You want money? I'll give you anything. You betrayed me first. Why act like this? Come back and say you love me. I'll let it slide. You didn't care about the other women. Why can't you tolerate Lucia? She's gone. Come back. Don't be foolish!"