Page 8 of Everdoll

I’d talk to Raymond. Even if it was just for this ban, I had to confront him and vent my anger. The fire I’d been extinguishing for years with the endless ocean inside me was too powerful this time; it had caught a single connection with him, and now it was ready to turn my entire body to ash.

Whether he hated me or not, I owed him the truth. I didn’t care if it turned into a fight. Anything was better than fear. I’d confess my sins and beg for forgiveness if I had to.

In the end, every labyrinth, every nightmare you ran from, would eventually come to an end.

“You never go there. What happened all of a sudden?” Prisne frowned, suspicion settled on her face. “Tell me you’re not doing this because of what Cole said. You want to see him?”

“Shouldn’t I? Can’t I be angry with him? Now I have an excuse to talk to him, to face him and ask him on what grounds he put me on the blacklist. I should scold him, Pris!”

“But why bother with this? You still love him?”

My throat tightened. “I don’t know. I’m not sure. He was everything to me. Sometimes… I still can’t accept it. It’s almost been four years, but it feels like yesterday. Like I’ve been living another life since the day he left. No, I’m not even living. Someone pressed a button and my real life stopped there. It only flows when he’s part of it. He’s a part of me, Pris. I don’t know, It’s… so pathetic.”

My pitiful feelings, still as vivid as the first day.

“It’s not pathetic.” Silvia, who was silent for minutes, said in a flat tone. “I don’t know what you went through with Loxton, but we can’t control our feelings. Our hearts don’t accept what our minds want, it’s out of our control.”

I let out a relaxed laugh. “Look at our little Silvia giving me advice!” I reached out to ruffle her purple hair, but she pushed me away.

“Stay away! Someone save me!”

Her efforts made me giggle, while Prisne watched us hesitantly. “Still… You don’t have to force yourself into this. Especially not today.”

“Today is special, Pris. The three of us got into this, and the three of us will finish it. Besides, little Silvia might get bored without me.”

“Never! Believe me, I’m fine without you! Don’t come! You, Prisne! You so-called cop! Help me!”

My smile only grew bigger.

CHAPTER 3

Hiding between the boxes in the attic, Mina was close to cry. She didn’t want to hear her father and Remi arguing. She couldn’t bear to watch their anger rise because of her. She hated seeing people unhappy, and unfortunately, the person closest to her, her father, was always unhappy. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t make him smile. Not even once. Maybe Mina was truly cursed, a monster doomed to bring unhappiness to people.

She silently watched the wall for a while. The sun was setting, the orange light falling into her lap. When she saw the black-haired boy climb into the attic, her sad face lit up immediately. His face was brighter than the artificial sun of Mars. She relaxed, thinking that despite all the fighting, he hadn’t left.

Her guardian robot now stayed with her at night, and Mina was so glad that he was spending more time with her.

“Remi?” she whispered, confused. There was a look of concern in the robot’s blue eyes. Which was very irrational. Very absurd.

“Mina…” Hearing his calm voice, she felt at peace again. She got up and hugged him. She might be cursed in the eyes of humans, but luckily her Remi was a guardian robot. She felt no fear when she was with him.

“How did you know I was here?”

Remi stroked her hair and pressed his lips to her forehead, mimicking a kiss. Mina thanked the technicians for making the robot so full of love. It was almost as warm as a human touch.

“How can I not know the way to my home?”

“Then you can always find me?”

“Of course. As your knight, I’ll always know where you are.”

“Always? Like forever?”

Remi remained silent for a moment, then smiled. “Yes, my precious master. Forever.”

I blinked, shaking it off. Ever since I’d set foot in Raymond’s territory, the lovely memories had been bubbling up. Of all places for them to return.

In the middle of the casino stood an octagonal table draped in black velvet, ringed by guests in dazzling outfits. Gold implants glinted with every laugh, and the wealthiest people on Mars watched one another with cold, dangerous eyes.