Chapter 8

"For years, you never explicitly turned me down. You seemed irritated, but I know you secretly enjoyed my advances. Don't you feel even a bit remorseful?"

Nathan began to speak, but I interrupted him. "Of course not. You're just anxiously awaiting the return of the artificial Olivia."

"Nathan, you present yourself as a kind, polite man, but inside, you're arrogant and self-centered. You only consider your own needs—my feelings are completely disregarded."

I inhaled shakily before proceeding. "Do you know why I chose October 23 for the procedure? It's your birthday. I have nothing else to offer, so I decided to give you myself as a present. I hope you're pleased."

By this point, tears were rolling down my cheeks, but oddly, a twisted sense of anticipation was growing within me.

That meal concluded in an uncomfortable, tense quietness. Afterward, Nathan began returning home earlier each day.