gone.
Chapter 5
Early in the morning. Mila was jolted awake by the shrill sound of her phone alarm, her head throbbing with a dull ache
She suspected that last night’s escapade in the snow had left her chilled to the bone, and she was likely coming down with a cold. Rubbing her temples to ease the pressure, she rifled through her suitcase for clothes. As she did, she accidentally dislodged a small red object, which rolled across the floor before coming to a stop.
It was a small robot, about the size of a fist, wearing a bright red top hat. The little iron robot was chubby and unpolished, with a distinctly rough–hewn look, save for its striking hat.
This robot was the sole token of her manage to Lysander. They had only signed the papers back then–no ceremony, no witnesses from their circle, not even a public announcement. To the outside world, all that was revealed was that the newly appointed young Chairman of Montgomery Holdings was married, but the identity of his wife remained a closely guarded secret, known only to Lysander’s closest friends and family.
On the night they signed the papers, Mila had asked Lysander if he ever had feelings for her. His eyes, filled with disdain, were answer enough as he hurled the crude little robot at her and left without a word.}
Later, Mila examined the robot closely and discovered that despite its rough exterior, it contained an Al chat assistant. Once connected to her phone, it could receive messages and reply with a mechanical voice.
sand Al, he might have crafted
Back then, she had been filled with hope, thinking that because Lysander was passionate about computers and this robot himself, including the program inside. He had made it with his own hands, for her.
Kneeling down, Mila picked up the robot and accessed the corresponding program on her phone. She sent the same message she had sent on the night of their marriage, “Do you love me?”
The red–hatted robot responded with the same cold, emotionless voice as it had se
seven years ago, “No.”
Mila let out a bitter laugh. The answer had been clear from the start it had just taken her seven years to accept it.
It was almost admirable how Lysander went to the trouble of creating a robot and writing a program just to belittle her. Truly, he had put thought into it.”
She tossed the robot carelessly onto her suitcase, where it landed askew.l
Thinking of their marriage, Mila absentmindedly touched the simple diamond ring on her right middle finger. She had worn it so long it had become a part of her. This wedding ring was something Lysander had chosen without much thought
As far as she remembered, unless they were at Montgomery Manor or putting on a show for his mother Lysander never wore his ring.!!
This marriage had always been a one–woman show for Milall
With a wry smile, she removed the ring and tossed it next to the red–hatted robot.
This was all she had gained from this union. When they met again to sign the divorce papers, she would return everything to him.
Adrian was awakened by Harper.
His mom hadn’t been home the previous night to tell him a bedtime story and tuck him in, so he had stayed up late, gleefully playing video games until the early hours. Consequently, he was slow to rise that morning.X
“Where’s Mom? I need to get washed up, Adrian said, yawning and climbing out of bed, still half–asleep.
Helping him get dressed, Harper reminded him, “Master Adrian, your mother is on a business trip. I will be taking care of you today
“Oh, right
Adrian finally woke up fully, feeling a pang of disappointment. Whenever his mom was home, she would be there first thing in the morning to help him get dressed and ready for the day. Although Harper was attentive, his grip was sometimes a bit too firm, leaving Adrian uncomfortable.X
Noticing his downcast expression, Harper offered, “Why don’t you call your mom to ask when she’ll be back? I’m sure she’d be hear from you.”
Adrian shook his head vigorously. “No, no.”
thrilled to
He was enjoying his newfound freedom too much to worry about when she might return–the later, the better. Every day without her was a day of liberation!!
“I do it myself.7
