Chapter 3

Chapter 3

The android found the cold medicine and prepared a warm cup for Kendra.

But just as it handed the cup to her, Kendra let go.

The glass shattered on the floor. The scalding liquid splashed all over the android's legs.

"Oh!" Kendra cried out.

Before anyone could react, Kendra stood up, clutching her hand and looking like she was in agony.

From my perspective, I could see that the water hadn't even touched her.

"Kendra!"

Silas rushed over, his face pale with worry.

He took her hand gently, then looked up at the android with pure rage.

"Sienna, are you really this useless? You can't even hold a cup?"

The android blinked, confused. The heat from the water had caused a major system crash.

Its memory chips were scrambling. Its limbs began to twitch uncontrollably.

Perhaps there was a trace of my old resentment left in the programming, because the android suddenly looked Kendra in the eye.

"You're making a scene over a few drops of water? Stop faking. You're being pathetic."

"This is my house. If you don't like it, go back to your own."

The android spoke in a flat, robotic monotone. Kendra's face went pale with shock.

Strangely, a flash of something like excitement or hope crossed Silas's eyes.

For once, he didn't scream at me. He just led Kendra downstairs to put some ointment on her non-existent burn.

The android dragged its stiff body to the bedroom to initiate a self-repair cycle.

Just as the cycle was finishing, Silas pushed the door open.

Seeing the android with its eyes closed, he reached out and touched its forehead. He was holding a bowl of dark, bitter herbal soup.

"Sienna, you shouldn't have talked to Kendra like that. She's a Sinclair."

He held the bowl out.

"It was freezing today. You shouldn't have jumped into that pool out of spite."

The android shook its head. "I am fine. I do not need medicine."

Silas took this for a pouty tantrum. He actually chuckled.

"You're still the same. Still terrified of bitter medicine."

There was a time when Silas and I were so poor we couldn't afford a doctor.

One winter, I got so sick I couldn't breathe. Silas tried to spend his meager savings on medicine, but I stopped him.

I had looked him in the eye and lied.

"I'm not being cheap. I'm just scared of the taste. It's a waste of money because I'll just throw it up."

"I just need to sleep it off."

But Silas was rich and powerful now. Why would he remember those days?

To end the conversation, the android tilted its head.

"Where is Kendra? Aren't you going to take care of her?"

"I will go down and apologize to her soon. Is that okay, Silas?"

The android's programming had reset. Its core directive was to make Silas happy.

Since Silas loved Kendra, the android concluded it must treat Kendra with kindness to please him.

Silas's face darkened instantly.

"Don't you even care? I'm here with you while she's hurt downstairs."

The android was genuinely baffled. "I am not jealous, Silas. Whatever makes you happy, I will support."

"Kendra is the woman you love. I will apologize and be good to her."

It was a perfect response, yet Silas looked like he wanted to kill someone.

"Sienna Xavier, how long are you going to keep up this act?"