Chapter 9

Her face was paler than the hospital walls, her lips trembling, unable to utter a word.

"How could this happen..."

"Honey, why didn't you ever tell me?"

"When did this happen?"

"Three months ago," I said calmly. "Shortly after Sunshine was diagnosed."

Her eyes were bloodshot.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

I pulled at the corner of my mouth.

"What good would it have done to tell you? You only had eyes for your Brother Dashiell."

"Oh, no, not even a living person, just an AI website."

Those words hit her like a sledgehammer, making her stagger backward.

She leaned against the wall, slowly sliding down to the floor, covering her face with both hands.

Muffled sobs escaped through her fingers.

"I'm sorry... honey, I'm sorry..."

"I know I was wrong."

She repeated, her voice breaking.

I turned my head away, unable to bear looking any longer.

Outside the window, fall had already arrived, golden leaves dancing in the wind.