Chapter 2

My hair was swept aside, and a cold instrument pressed against the back of my neck.

Zara smiled, sweet and harmless.

"Austin, the way she looks right now, she's just like my dumb dog at home! So cute!"

I clenched my fists, wrenched free of the restraint all at once, and dove into the pool.

The water was deep, closing over my nose and mouth in a smothering rush. The party dissolved into chaos in an instant, and Zara dropped to the ground in fright.

Before I lost consciousness, I heard the panic in Austin's voice.

"Louise!"

......

When I opened my eyes again, Austin was standing at the side of the bed, his face dark, staring at me.

"Louise, you know perfectly well you have no underwater functionality, so why did you jump into the pool! Are you trying to scrap yourself completely!"

I gave a bitter smile.

"Are you worried about me, Austin?"

"What else would it be!" Austin flew into a sudden rage, planting a hand on either side of my body. "You're my robot. You have to stay with me forever!"

I felt myself drift a little. Ever since Austin's psychological trauma healed, I'd rarely heard this stubborn, childish tone from him anymore.

And after Zara appeared, Austin stopped being close to me at all.

Yet the Austin of before had loved nothing more than to lie across my lap and nuzzle at me, like a big dog leaning on its owner.

"Louise, you're my robot. You can only be with me, for your whole life."

I pushed down the ache in my chest and looked at Austin.

"Then what about Zara? You want me to stay with you forever, so what happens to her?"

Austin froze for a moment, then gripped my face hard.

"What gives you the right to compare yourself to her? She's the woman I love, the woman I can marry and have children with! What, are you jealous of her? Louise, you're just a robot. What right do you have!"

Those words cut me to the core.