Chapter 1
It was late at night, and I was feeling a bit down. I texted my boyfriend, Andrew Lane, who I'd been in a long-distance relationship with for five years, and started sending him some sweet messages.
He tried to cheer me up, saying, "No matter how long we're apart, you'll always be the one who stands out to me."
I hugged my phone, curled up on the couch, my cheeks burning as I asked, "Where exactly do I stand out?"
Turns out, he took my words literally. Out of nowhere, he sent me a long message listing job openings from all over the country.
I was stunned for a moment.
My phone stayed silent. No reply, no explanation.
That night, I hopped on a plane and flew across the country to his city.
I was just outside the door when I overheard my boyfriend, Andrew Lane, the AI training guru.
He was half-drunk, bragging to his buddy.
"The dating AI I trained will never get found out," Andrew bragged.
"Relax, we're drinking all night!"
Sophie Reed, his underclassman, was sitting right next to him, giggling as she teased in his ear.
"You've stayed here with me for five years and haven't gone back even once.
"Even when Emma messaged you, you just had the AI reply to her for five years.
"Then why not just break up with her?"
*****
I stood frozen outside the door.
In that instant, my mind went completely blank.
For a long time, I just couldn't snap out of it.
I was still wearing my lab coat.
I rushed all the way to Northbridge, snowflakes still clinging to my shoulders.
I stood there, staring blankly at the scene inside, and Andrew's hand holding his glass paused for a moment.
After a moment, Andrew finally spoke, a hint of impatience in his voice.
He said, "No reason.
"I've known her since we were kids. We go way back, there's nothing I don't know about her.
"She's easygoing, would make a good wife.
"But she's way too emotional. Always needs someone to cheer her up, it's exhausting."
Everyone sitting around couldn't help but click their tongues in response.
Sophie Reed, Andrew's underclassman, was laughing so hard she nearly collapsed onto him.
Her voice was bright and full of the energy that only a girl in her early twenties had.
"So what if she's well-behaved?
"Andrew, I'm not trying to mess with your relationship.
"Emma's always glued to her lab work, she can't even handle a drink.
"You two can't even hold a real conversation.
"Are you really going to use AI to talk to her for the rest of your life after you get married?"
She laughed and leaned right into Andrew's shoulder.
Andrew didn't flinch. He was clearly used to it by now.
He set his glass down like it was no big deal.
"Yeah, I could totally do that," he shrugged.
"She always says the same stuff anyway. One simple script is enough to handle her messages."
The whole room burst out laughing.
Someone pinched their voice, trying to imitate me.
"Andrew, you're so heartless!"
The bar felt way too warm.
Maybe my glasses were fogging up, or maybe my eyes were getting watery.
I could barely make out the people inside anymore.
I took off my glasses and blinked a few times.
When I put them back on, I looked back inside.
Ethan Drew, who'd been sitting quietly next to Andrew, suddenly seemed to pick up on something.
He shifted his gaze away from his phone.
He looked up suddenly, locking eyes with me.
Ethan was Andrew's best friend.
When Andrew was starting out and had no money, he couldn't get the business off the ground.
Ethan put up all the capital and partnered with Andrew to grow the company together.
I was mortified, and looked away in shame, feeling completely exposed.
After what felt like ages, I heard Andrew's puzzled voice.
"Why are you spacing out, Ethan? What are you looking at outside the door?"