Page 104 of CHOICE Lover
“What are you saying, Res6?”
“Well, you’re the one who clearly doesn’t respect me and my life’s work, so what more is there to say?”
Maybe he’s right. She’s the stupid one for thinking she could have a relationship with a repressed, walled-off man like him. He clearly cares more about his fake people than real ones. So what if the sex is mind-blowing? Breaking up is probably for the best. “At least that’s one thing we can agree on.” With that, she gets up, marches to her room, and slams the door.
Except instead of letting the bed swallow her up, she paces, replaying every word they threw at each other, which only makes it worse. Was she craving security so intensely that she trusted a man like him? A man who’s so stuck in the past that he’s actively trying to bring his brother back from the dead? Who’s calling his body double by his dead twin’s name and using him as a sounding board?
She walks over to the bathroom mirror and takes a good, hard look at herself.You look tired.They probably have a treatment for that now. They probably even have a treatment for her cracked and aching heart.
Tears spill over her eyelids, dropping onto the counter as she stares at her reflection.
Oh, Electra. How did you get yourself into this mess?
35 – The Sting
Res6
December 23, 2390.
Is he avoiding her? No, he’s busy. There’s a mountain of tasks to tackle that he’s trying to catch up on. He has candidates to interview. A meeting with Viper in half an hour. His absence is completely justifiable.
He scrolls down and does his best to focus on the figures before him. Reviewing reports compiled by his staff is his least favorite aspect of running his business. He loves the discovery of being a scientist. Getting in the lab and using the high-tech bio-equipment was the driving factor when he chose his profession. The list of quantities is especially mind-numbing, explaining why his usually focused mind keeps wandering. Considering Lextr’s recent theft, he should give it the attention it requires. Sighing, he focuses back on the list.
Lipo-protein coagulum – 4,198,003 Units
Liquid Nitrogen – 3,054 Low-Pressure Cryogen Dewars
Needle, 16 gauge x 31 mm – 1,050 units (low quantity)
Needle, 23 gauge x 16 mm – 1,991 units (low quantity)
Perhaps he was a bit harsh calling their relationship a mistake. It is, but he can’t bring himself to regret it. What he regrets is her finding out about Jerme. He knew she would be upset and disgusted with him. That’s why he didn’t tell her.
Such a stubborn, foolish woman. No matter what he said, she wouldn’t acknowledge the risk she’s putting them in. All for her stupid column. He winces at the thought.
So you’re good enough for human love, but no one else is?Her words keep ringing in his mind. It’s no wonder he’s been staring at the same inventory reports for the last two hours.
He wasn’t lying when he suggested she doesn’t think he’s worthy of love. Hell, Jerme didn’t either. Love is a farce. Manupartners solved the problem. If anyone is a modern-day hero, it is him.
Human love.
Love.
