tension. Richard Vance stood on the stage, the final report in his hand. Chloe stood beside him, he

t

unced, his voice echoing in

er eleven apprentices. I saw their faces,

e of them whispered to another, just loud enough f

apped around Liam' s little finger for years. She

ough they grew up together. He' s li

e careless, but

ace that was so well-rehearsed it was almost convincing.

ead across her face. She rushed to Liam' s side, ta

o it!" she exclaimed, her voi

ance," he said, his voice trembling slight

Liam' s hand tightening. "Of course, it

s a lie. I felt a profound sense of relief, a quiet calm spreading t

r but had defined my entire life. I had learned coding to impress her, joined her father' s company to be near her, and poured all my

fused, his brow furrowed. He started to walk towards me, pus

viewed the final data logs. The winning AI showed a level of sophisticatio

shook m

said, using the familiar title h

y parents he would look after me after they were gone. In my last life, he ha

ever seen, more than your father, even,"

e thought," I replied, my voice eve

ved the AI was mine, I would be right back where I started-engaged to C