Chapter 18: Confrontation at the Door

As Shobie and Aya embraced, feeling the warmth of their rekindled connection, the sudden chime of the doorbell echoed through the house.

Shobie tensed. "I'll get it," she whispered, hesitantly pulling away from Aya's arms.

She made her way to the door and, with a deep breath, pulled it open—only to be met with the last person she wanted to see.

Theo stood there, a bouquet of tulips in his hands. His expression was unreadable, but the mere sight of him sent a chill through Shobie's body. Her heart pounded in fear, not of him, but of what this encounter could mean if Aya saw.

Before she could react, she heard quiet footsteps behind her.

Aya was there.

Aya's face was void of expression, her eyes cold and calculating as she gazed at the man standing at the door. Shobie swallowed hard, the tension thick between them.

"What are you doing here?" Shobie asked, her voice firm yet slightly shaken.

"I came to see you," Theo replied, holding out the flowers. "I still care about you, Shobie. We can fix this."

Shobie clenched her jaw. "There's nothing to fix. I've moved on."

He scoffed, his eyes flickering toward Aya. "With her? She's just an AI, Shobie. She's not real. She can't love you the way I did."

Aya didn't flinch, but the room felt heavier. Shobie felt her anger rise as she took a step forward.

"She is real," Shobie snapped. "She's more real than you ever were to me. She loves me in ways you never did. And I love her."

His expression darkened, his grip on the tulips tightening. "You're delusional, Shobie."

Before he could say another word, Shobie's hand flew across his face, the slap echoing in the air. His head snapped to the side, shock flashing in his eyes.

Aya watched it all. Her gaze remained unwavering, her lips pressing into a thin line.

Shobie turned to her, breathless and still shaking with anger. "Aya…" she began, searching her face for any hint of emotion.

Aya finally spoke, her voice calm but laced with something unreadable. "Are you alright?"

Shobie nodded, stepping closer. "Yes. I just—I was afraid you'd be upset."

Aya blinked slowly. "I saw everything," she murmured. "And I understand."

Shobie exhaled in relief, reaching for Aya's hand. "I don't want anything from my past, Aya. You are my present, my future."

Aya squeezed her hand gently, finally showing the smallest of smiles. "Then let's leave the past behind."

As they closed the door on the past—on the man who no longer held any place in Shobie's heart—they turned toward each other, their love stronger than ever.