Chapter 3

A few days later, in the evening, I stood by the driveway waiting for Chloe. It was pitch black by the time her car finally pulled up.

"Sorry I'm late. Leo wasn't feeling well, so I had to run some diagnostics on him first."

Chloe looked apologetic. Following her gaze, I saw Leo sitting in the passenger seat.

"Hello, Ethan. Long time no see."

I had to admit, the technology behind these humanoid robots was terrifyingly advanced. If you didn't know, you'd never guess he was a machine. His looks, movements, and even his facial expressions were identical to a human's.

"Chloe said the passenger seat has a better view, which helps me learn about the human world. So she let me sit here. You don't mind, do you?"

His deep, smooth voice made my hands freeze.

Was this robot seriously trying to gaslight me like a cheap green tea b*tch?

Chloe didn't hesitate to chime in. "Why would he mind? It’s just a seat. It’s no big deal."

I silently got into the back seat without saying a word, my mind drifting back in time.

It seemed that ever since we got married, anything concerning me was always "no big deal" to her.

Two weeks ago was our fifth anniversary. I had left work early and prepared a candlelit dinner to celebrate. But I waited until midnight, only to see her walking in, arm-in-arm with Leo.

"I took Leo out to the amusement park. I totally forgot today was our anniversary. Oh come on, it's a small thing. We can just celebrate it next time."

Even now, I could clearly remember Chloe’s careless shrug, and the smug, subtle smirk on Leo’s face.

Seeing that I was quiet, Chloe kept glancing at me through the rearview mirror. I stared back, expressionless.

"Something on my face?"

She seemed hurt by my coldness and smiled awkwardly. "No, you just don't look very happy."

That was a first. Chloe had never cared about my feelings before. She usually wished I didn't exist.

"My brother just died. It’d be weird if I were happy."

My words instantly made her stiffen, and her face turned pale.

Leo turned around from the passenger seat, his lips curling into a perfectly simulated, innocent smile.

"Daniel’s injuries were too severe, Ethan. Even with the surgery, his survival rate was less than five percent. According to my database, his death was inevitable. I believe you should have prepared yourself for this grief earlier."

A surge of hot anger rushed to my brain. Before I knew it, I threw a heavy punch straight at his face.

"Ethan!" Chloe screamed as she slammed on the brakes.

Leo's smile didn't even flinch. Instead, my hand felt like it had struck a block of solid steel. My knuckles immediately swelled up and began to bleed.

"I apologize, Ethan. It is my fault."

The sincerity in Leo's eyes looked incredibly real, and the anger I had bottled up for days finally erupted.

I let out a harsh laugh.

"You’re a piece of scrap metal. Don't talk to me about human feelings."

Leo's artificial smile slowly froze, his eyes darkening.

Wow. This robot’s programming was truly impressive.

"Ethan, can't you be nice to Leo?!" Chloe snapped, immediately jumping to his defense and glaring at me. "He is a member of our family! Don't go too far!"

I looked at their shoulders touching. They looked like a beautiful, loving couple. And I was just the unwanted third wheel.

Even though I had resolved to let go, seeing this still made my heart sting.

Pulling myself together, I cast a cold glance at her.

"Not for long."