Chapter 8

"Flora..." He tried to approach me, but was blocked by security guards. "Give me one more chance. I truly know I was wrong. The AI assistant is completely beyond saving. I need you..."

"Get lost." I didn't even spare him a glance.

Dane actually fell to his knees right there: "Flora, you can't treat me like this! I've lost everything, I'm barely holding onto the company. Please come back? I promise I'll never..."

"Mr. Channing, do you really think you deserve that?" Melody interrupted with a cold laugh. "Do you know Flora can't even smile anymore? Do you know how many pills she has to take every day just to maintain basic emotions? This is all thanks to you!"

"No, it's not like that..." Dane clutched his hair in agony. "I just loved the AI assistant too much, I wasn't thinking clearly..."

"Enough." I spoke softly. "Dane, you didn't love the AI assistant. You only loved your own obsession. When you truly love someone, you don't use another person's pain as a bargaining chip."