Chapter 1
I was using my husband’s computer to binge–watch a series in his office when suddenly an Al assistant notification popped up.
[Hey there, boss man- Time to take a break from work! You’ll need your energy for our wild night ahead-]]]
Staring at the cutesy font surrounded by pink heart bubbles, I froze.]
I screenshot it and stormed over to him while he was meeting with clients outside. “Are you cheating on me?”
He paused for a beat, then chuckled while pinching my cheek. “Babe, that’s just the Al virtual girlfriend our company’s developing. I’m beta–testing it myself.“||
I nodded calmly but immediately have someone investigate
Once I got the IP address behind this “virtual girlfriend.” I immediately posted in the company group chat:]
[Step forward now, and I might consider letting you keep some dignity.]]]
Taking my money while playing me for a fool? Better be ready for absolute devastation!
The usually buzzing company group chat went dead silent.
Five minutes later, Preston Blackwell burst through the door.
Sweat beaded his forehead, his breathing was ragged, and panic filled his expression. “Honey, that really is just program. testing–you have to believe me!“]
Several senior employees followed him in, all jumping to his defense.
“Ms. Sullivan, that’s the beta version–absolutely no real person operating it.
“The dialogue content is all pre–programmed too. It’s not what you’re thinking.”
The tech director pulled out meeting records and placed them in front of me. “These conversation templates were designed by the whole team to increase user engagement and stickiness.”
“The boss personally tested it for our team’s project. If you misunderstand him, we’d all feel terrible.”
Their words were earnest, every sentence defending Preston.
is thing. I’l
Preston grabbed my hand, his eyes full of sincerity. “Honey, I’m sorry I upset you. If you don’t like me using this thing. I’ll never touch it again.”
He knew his sincerity always got to me.
Back when he was dirt poor, I saw his character and supported his startup without hesitation.
To make something of himself, he pulled all–nighters for half a month straight.
I never doubted him–just kept the house perfect and waited for him to come home.
When he needed funding. I begged my father for investment, even agreeing that he’d control all profits for the first five years.[]
When the business failed, I didn’t blame him
I even used his “valuable experience” as an excuse to recommend him for a position at my father’s corporation.]
The day he became CEO, at his celebration party, he proposed to me for the second time.[]
He said his love for me would always be as pure and passionate as when we first fell in love–that he’d only ever love me.]
Every anniversary after that, he’d propose again.]
To prove he stayed true to his word.]
His loyalty to me should’ve been rock solid by now.
I rubbed my temples wearily and waved them off. “Fine, I won’t pursue this any further.”
They left the office looking relieved.
Preston relaxed 100, walking over to hug me.
However, I pushed him away.]
I’d already seen the chat logs between Preston and the Al assistant.]]
It messaged him every few minutes–mostly weather reminders or schedule updates, but the language was flirty, even suggestive.
There were also faceless personal emojis, clearly all sourced from the same person.
No matter how much I trusted him, I couldn’t help but feel suspicious.[]
I had to get to the bottom of this.
I still had contacts in the corporation’s tech department. Using the bathroom as an excuse, I sent them the IP address.]
They got back to me quickly.
The user was inside our corporate building
Cross–referencing with HR resources, I found her name.]
Summer Hayes.
A new intern in Operations Department.
My chest suddenly felt tight. They’d all sworn up and down there was no real person operating it, right?
Now I had her name and profile.]]
I took the elevator straight downstairs and spotted her immediately.
Everyone else was working with their heads down, but her screen was playing a variety show at full volume.]
Her desk was loaded with expensive hand creams and snacks, plus a personal humidifier just for her.
As I entered the office, she caught sight of me and seemed to sense something, quickly flipping over a photo of two people on her desk.
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