Part 2My Robot Boyfriend Got My Bestie Pregnant

Pushing Caroline behind him, Zachary glared at me.

"Winona Shandler, have you forgotten who stayed up all night massaging your stomach and cooking oatmeal every time your gastritis flared up? Whenever you returned from a work trip completely exhausted, who drew your bath and massaged away your tension?

"I gave you three whole years of emotional support. Is that not worth a house? Not only that, I demand 20% of the company's shares. Caroline is pregnant and can no longer work here and take your abuse. Think of those shares as a safety net for her and the baby, and as compensation for wasting the prime of my youth."

I could hardly hold back my laughter.

Massaging my stomach and cooking oatmeal? That was the healthcare module I paid 50,000 dollars to install. Drawing a bath and giving massages? That was the lifestyle assistance system I spent 30,000 dollars to upgrade.

Not satisfied with a two-million-dollar apartment, he wanted 20% of my company shares. This wasn't a breakup; it was daylight robbery!

When I stayed silent, Caroline tugged on Zachary's sleeve. "Zach, stop forcing Winnie. It hasn't been easy for her to build this company—it's her life's work. Maybe we should just leave. I don't want things to get ugly because of me."

Despite saying she wanted to leave, her legs stayed firmly planted.

Zachary took her hand, his stubbornness intensifying. "Carol, it's because you're too kind that she keeps bullying you."

He turned back to me. "There's no room for negotiation, Winona. If you refuse, I'll expose how you emotionally neglect and abuse me at home. Everyone will see the twisted madwoman hiding beneath your independent exterior."

As I stared at his flawless face, a wave of nausea hit me. His reasoning module had clearly suffered a complete breakdown.

"Fine." Setting down my glass of water, I crossed my arms. "I'll give you the apartment, and I'll consider the shares. But you'd better hope you're capable enough to hold onto them."

Joy flashed across Zachary's face, and Caroline was so excited she forgot to wipe her tears. "Thank you, Winnie! I knew you were reasonable! Don't worry. Once the baby is born, I'll make you godmother!"

I stood up and grabbed my coat. "No thanks. I wouldn't want that curse. Enjoy your meal—the bill is paid."

I strode out, leaving behind the murmurs of our gossiping colleagues and Zachary's gentle voice comforting Caroline.

Heading to the underground parking garage, I sat in my car and pulled up Zachary's systems diagnostics.

Code streamed across the screen as his emotional simulation module spiked into a red alert.

"Severe logical conflict detected. Reset recommended."

Not only had he learned to betray me, but he had also learned greed and extortion. His behavior had far exceeded the safety threshold of a companion android.

Tossing my phone onto the passenger seat, I hit the accelerator.

Since they were so desperate to steal my life, I would let them bask in their delusion for one final night. After all, the higher one climbed, the harder one would fall.