His Lies, My Unbreakable Heart

to genuine rage was burned into my mind. It wasn't just the lie about his score. It was the c

3 AM, I knew I couldn't let it go. I need

mentary learning algorithm. To collaborate, we set up a shared cloud server, a digital treehouse filled with our c

his. I tried his dog's name. Access denied. His birthday. Denied. Then I remembered something he'd said once, laughi

s gra

ool projects and looked for anything recent. A folder named "P-Tech_Future" ca

ial projections, and strategy documents. My blood ran cold. One file was a

next slide was a detailed breakdown of my AI research, the very project I was hoping to pursue in coll

and repackaged, with a big, bold logo at the bottom: "Nightingale by Peterson Technol

ly. For a split second, an image flashed before my eyes: a legal document, a cease and desist letter, with my name and Alex Turner's name printed at the t

s. On the sidewalk below, under a streetlight, stood Jake and his mothe

her voice a low hiss. "You pushed her to

full of a chilling arrogance. "She trusts

humb drive, my mind racing. I was about to shut it down when I he

ace, under the porch light,

I was so worried after Jake told

drive in my pocket. "I wa

he said, her eyes scanning past me into the hous

mooth, so practi

eded confirmation, one more solid piece of the p

mile. "Sarah! Congratulations on the

keep my voice casual. "My friend, Jake Peterson, was talking about maybe starting at the

. Jake was in here just last week asking about the exact opposite. He wanted to know which of his C

inal nail in the co

, a sharp voice call

She sauntered over,

looking me up and down. "You really thought he'd throw

do with you, Emily,"

she purred. "We have plans. Big plans.

phone buzzed. It was a te

e for dinner tonight. We need to clear the a

a summons. And I knew, with ab

ve hardening inside me. They

ack: "I'll