ning, Jaylah stopped her in the hall as she hea

You understand." She smiled, a flash of white teeth. "Besides, I need you to be a de

Jaylah was the partner.

aylah from the dinner, his arm around her. The caption read: "Power Couple Floyd Meyers and Ja

efore the party. She was in the library when Jaylah

ed, placing it on the ta

ice designed to mitigate the side effects of low-grade artificial interfaces. It

g with malice. "Floyd felt responsible. He worries that your... i

tion. They were call

open box in her hands. His face softe

me you've been unwell. I should have noticed sooner

ability. He had given her this pain, and now

on Jaylah, shining with a love that felt utterly

to witness their joy and

ked at their smiling faces. Something inside her finally

er voice a hollow echo.

them to their perfect, gilded life. Sh