He was clearly furious that I'd gone after Vivian. He didn't say a single word to me the entire night.
Over the weeks that followed, not a single dog hair appeared on his clothes again.
I'd assumed they were scared enough to back off and start behaving themselves.
But something that happened shortly after shattered that assumption entirely.
Elmer's university was hosting a networking gala. In the past, he'd always brought me along.
This time, he hadn't even mentioned it.
I thought about it for a moment, changed into a cocktail dress, and walked straight into the banquet hall.
The first thing I saw was Elmer standing in the middle of a crowd with Vivian on his arm. His title as professor had people swarming around him, showering him with compliments.
A newly hired instructor mistook Vivian for his wife and gushed, "Professor Weiss, your wife is absolutely stunning. I've never seen anyone so beautiful."
Vivian's cheeks flushed pink. She tilted her head up at Elmer, her voice dripping with coy sweetness. "Professor, you didn't tell them who I am?"
Elmer was clearly eating up every second of her act. He let her dangle for a moment before answering.