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Maya Adelline Lily De Philips, a renowned expert in the world of technology, met Arden Enrique Zayn—a man who caught her attention with his skills, matching her own. However, their three-year journey together came to an abrupt end when Arden was found dead in an apparent suicide.

His death shattered Maya, causing her to isolate herself for two years. During that time, she built a robot identical to the late Arden to fill the void he left behind.

Yet, deep in her heart, Maya firmly believed that Arden death was not a suicide—but a murder.

CRAWL BACK TO ME

ROBOT ARDEN ENRIQUE ZAYN II

Madam Rosie felt a lump in her throat as she watched the strong woman before her seem utterly powerless. Maya ate slowly, and Madam Rosie sat beside her, accompanying the lonely woman. A bowl of porridge had been served to help stimulate her appetite. When Maya finished eating, Madam Rosie handed her a glass of water.

With a sigh, she gently held Maya's seemingly fragile hands and said, "I'm sure Arden would never want to see you like this. You have to rise again, Maya. Go back to being the person you once were."

Maya remained silent, staring blankly.

"In the past, when you were still with Arden, he used to visit the children on the 20th floor just to hear their stories about you. He told them to keep it a secret, but I think you need to hear this—maybe it will make you happy again and help you find your strength.

I've heard so many stories from Arden about how much he loved you. He was the one who always placed lilies in your office, not me. He was the one who sent you fruit salad whenever you couldn't decide what to eat because he knew you'd only accept fruit when you were unsure of your appetite.

The iced coffee with less sugar that always appeared on your desk when you were too busy to buy it yourself—that was Arden too. The extra pillows on the bed in your office? Arden put them there because he knew you liked to sleep surrounded by pillows.

There are so many things he did for you, and I could go on, but one thing is certain—Arden will never be at peace if you stay like this."

Maya turned to Madam Rosie, her eyes glistening with unshed tears before she finally broke down, embracing the older woman. Madam Rosie stroked her back repeatedly, trying to soothe her, and soon found herself crying too. In her eyes, Maya looked just like a lost child.

Maya wiped her eyes, now swollen from crying. She stood in her bedroom, staring at the floor-to-ceiling mirrors that lined the walls of her private dressing area. The heavy curtains covering the mirrors had remained closed for so long, and no one was allowed to enter this space—not even her staff.

This, along with the robot-building lab, was the only place where Maya had once isolated herself.

Now, the lights flickered on. The chandelier hanging in the center of her room illuminated the space brightly, bringing it back to life.

Maya stood in front of the mirror, pressing her hand against the glass as she studied her reflection. Her hair had grown long, and her body had become noticeably thinner.

Letting go of the silk scarf she had been holding, she slowly undressed, standing bare before the mirror. Tears streamed down her face as she gazed at herself. Her hands moved to her stomach, caressing it absentmindedly as thoughts swirled in her mind.

Wrapping her arms around herself, she wept softly before walking toward her wardrobe. She pulled out a large white shirt—one of Arden's—and slipped it on.

Climbing into bed, she curled up, inhaling the lingering scent of Arden on the fabric, even though it had faded over time.

And this time, she would rise—not as the broken woman of the past two years, but as someone who would use Arden's memory as her strength to move forward.

CHAPTER 8