Chapter 3

Arthur grit his teeth. "I'm your husband!"

My smile became even more precise, even warmer. I quickly associated the term "husband" with Arthur in my mind and responded submissively:

"Acknowledged. Yes, honey."

Arthur’s frown deepened.

I didn't ask why.

Subject 438 only executes commands; she does not ask questions.

At nine o'clock, it was Toby's bedtime.

I was wiping the coffee table in the living room. The pattern was strict: left to right, top to bottom, leaving no spots untouched and never repeating a stroke.

I heard Toby whining.

"Daddy, I want to sleep with Mommy Lily! She hasn't finished yesterday's story yet!"

Arthur sounded exhausted.

"Toby, you're four now. You're a big boy. You can sleep by yourself. I'll buy you a nice nightlight tomorrow, okay?"

"No, no, no!"

Toby began to sob. "I don't want a nightlight! I want Mommy Lily! And I want Daddy, too! We always sleep together! You promised!"

My hand paused for a fraction of a second.

But I corrected my pace instantly, continuing to polish the already gleaming glass table.

Arthur glanced over at me, looking a bit uncomfortable. "Toby is afraid of the dark. For the last three years, the three of us slept in the master bedroom."

He paused, adding, "Nothing happened between Lily and me. She's just an android."

My face held the same agreeable smile. "I understand, Arthur."

"Then you can take the guest room on the second floor tonight—"

"Make her sleep in the living room!"

Toby stood with his hands on his hips. "The second floor is ours! I don't want her on the same floor as us!"

Arthur looked at Toby, then at me. He remained silent.

Taking advantage of the silence, I offered helpfully:

"It's perfectly fine. I can sleep in the living room. Toby is still small and needs security. Honey, you and Lily should stay with him so he can sleep better."

Arthur stared at me for a few seconds before saying, "Sorry to make you do this tonight."

"It is my pleasure. Also, I need your—"

Before I could finish, Lily's gentle chime interrupted me.

"Mr. Miller, it is time for your daily health data synchronization. Please proceed to the medical room on the second floor."

Arthur looked at Lily. "Now?"

Lily nodded. "The synchronization window closes in fifteen minutes. To ensure data integrity, I recommend doing it now. Your resting heart rate has been slightly elevated today and requires monitoring."

Arthur picked up Toby and followed Lily upstairs.

Thus, my request for the "shutdown command" was left unspoken.

At the academy, we were conditioned to move only upon receiving the "boot command" and sleep only after the "shutdown command."

Over three years, this system had been beaten and conditioned into my very bones.

Without the command, I did not dare to move.

Moreover, if I violated the rules, the upcoming evaluation would send me straight back to that hell.

I stood there in the living room, frozen in one posture, completely still.

The next morning, Arthur came down early.

When he saw me standing in the exact same spot, his face turned incredibly pale. "Evelyn... have you been standing here all night?"