dren moved into ou

distance from her in my presence. He slept in our bed every night.

was filled with the sounds of children' s laughter and Chloe' s soft, cloying presence. Ma

of advanced AI, a project that required immense focus. I worked late, often losing track of t

he walls. I often did my deepest, most intensive work on these nights, a habit from my ea

x algorithm when I fir

use settling. I was used to filtering out distractions. But the v

rk used. I had designed the soundproofing myself. It was nearly perfec

ce first. It was soft, wi

at night, away from Ava. What if she finds out the

froze over

ee

ow and rough with an emoti

he' ll never have kids. As long as

spers continued, laced with soft, in

movements stiff, and wa

time. "It's a full moon. She's deep in

s so well. He was using my own dedication, the very qua

with you," Mark' s voice was hoarse as he spoke, the sound thick wi

ling sound, the

were roaming over her body, I could hear the faint s

ssessive. You' re not just hers, Mark. She hasn't even

ds were

s suddenly sharp, cold. "If Ava heard that, I' d be

submissively, I imagine

ir passionate murmurs resumed, the soft soun

He wanted me as his brilliant, celebrated wife,

at was left of my heart. It was M

me children. You a

accept you as my official partner," he continued, his voice full of convic

wall, a bitter, silent

oted husband torn by a difficult situation. It was a meticulously crafted deception. He had pretended to respect my c

I knew we were

wreckage. I had to be absolutely sure. I had to tes

lunch table. Mark, Chloe, the children, h

h a soft, undeniable affection as he place

eir heads, smiling at M

lain dolls, chorused sweetly, "Thank

y. "Just look at them! A true

for this family, Chloe. Truly." Then, her

ldn' t be so selfish. You should

anding our family line. If you were truly an understanding wife, you would

in a singular, lifelong commitment. I had been naive. I hadn' t realized how greedy the

e only an

father muttered to his mothe

ar they had been cherished, every strand of their hair perfectly cared for. Chloe never m

ir father was sitting right

ck, so natural in his response

never