Chapter 1

The smart home system in my apartment only listens to my fiancé.

No matter how loud I raise my voice, it gives me nothing.

When I suggest replacing it, Adrian Reed snaps, "Just live with it. Is it really worth all this drama?"

Today, it breaks again.

I am locked inside the apartment, and the AC remote is nowhere to be found.

The heat drains every bit of strength from me, and Adrian's phone stays unreachable.

Not until evening do I hear his voice outside the door, mixed with Lily Hayes's.

The second Lily walks in, she frowns at the heat.

"Ava, turn on the AC."

Ava, the same system that ignores me all afternoon, answers at once.

"Of course. Setting the temperature to your usual 75°F."

Adrian says, "It's always like this. Works when it feels like it."

Then he looks at me. "Are you seriously jealous of your best friend over a voice assistant?"

I say nothing and then submit a repair request.

But when the technician arrives, he tells me, "Ma'am, this model only works with registered voice profiles. It can only store two. You'll have to delete one if you want to add yours."

So in this home, mine is the only voice that does not get heard.

I look at Adrian and Lily bickering in the living room.

Then I withdraw my appeal at work.

They do not know that because I was trapped here this afternoon, I missed the deadline to submit my final documents.

The local position is already filled.

In seven days, I am being transferred away.

The technician looks at me. "Ma'am, which profile do you want to delete?"

Before I can answer, Adrian cuts in.

"No need. You can go."

"But—"

The technician glances at me.

Adrian says, "Sorry about this. My fiancée is throwing a tantrum. She took it out on the lock, but the truth is, she forgot her keys. I apologize for her."

The technician gives me a look, takes the tip Adrian slips him, and mutters as he heads for the elevator.

"Some women really do make a scene over nothing. You spoil them once, and next thing you know, they're calling the cops over a bad mood."

Adrian grabs my wrist and pulls me inside.

"Done making a scene? Come home."

I yank my hand away. The familiar tightness rises in my chest again.

"You think I'm being unreasonable? For three years, you both watch me call Ava again and again, and neither of you ever tells me. Is it fun watching me make a fool of myself?"

Adrian clicks his tongue.

"You know now, don't you? You were on a business trip when I handled the apartment setup. Lily helped me with all the renovation stuff."

"She happened to be here when they tested the system, so they added her voice. By the time you came back, I forgot."

I ask, "Then why didn't you let him delete hers and add mine just now?"

He lights a cigarette. That is what he does when he is annoyed.

"Lily is your best friend. How is she supposed to feel if I delete her? And we agreed to keep a room for her. If she works late, she can come stay over. She actually needs it."

I laugh, because I am so angry I cannot do anything else.

"And I don't?"

Adrian exhales smoke and looks me up and down.

His tone turns mocking.

"Would you even know how to use it? You didn't even know about voice profiles. You used to live in a basement. Since when did you get this high-maintenance?"