A Ring Crushed, A Heart Broken

, all the emotional energy I had poured into he

ate-afternoon sun was warm on my face, a stark contrast to the cold, artificial environment I had just left

g, my mind a dull haze of exhaustion and residual ad

keys at my apartme

taircase that led to my floor, her knees pulled up to

She hadn't seen me yet. She had been doing this a lot lately, jus

y key halfwa

napped up. Her brown eyes, usually so brigh

said, her

off the back of her jea

atement of surprise. My sessions

on. I could see the familiar mix of frustration and concern in h

rect. That was Sarah. My childhood friend, my confi

edge of disapproval creeping in. "Let me guess, you had ano

old her about it, excited by the prospect of helping someone, e

gs of code designed to make you feel like a hero. It's an emotional slot machine.

it as a noble cause. But now, her words echoed in

ping closer. "She's designed to be. She'll just

y life. It was so starkly different from the volatile, programmed drama I had just esc

She had been