Chapter 8

As I went downstairs, I ran into Gabriel.

"You've been selling things recently? I heard you've been getting rid of all your belongings, big and small. What, are you planning to leave again?"

Gabriel laughed coldly, his eyes flickering with some unclear emotion.

"It's none of your business. Let's get divorced." I brought up divorce again.

This time Gabriel's face turned completely ashen. "Fine! We'll get divorced, but you have to agree to do one thing for me first! Otherwise, no deal!"

"Alright, I agree."

After I spoke, Gabriel took me back to "our" home.

The wedding photo of Gabriel and me hung prominently in the living room.

I sighed. Gabriel, if this is how you feel, why did you go to such lengths to marry me?

I looked at Gabriel. Seeming to sense my gaze, he paused for a moment.

"Zoe, you look like you've lost some weight. Are you feeling unwell?"

Gabriel showed a rare moment of tenderness.

I laughed bitterly to myself. Unwell? I was at the end of my life, only able to maintain it through painkillers!

Gabriel

Gabriel, when you find out the truth about everything, will you regret how you've treated me?

I'm truly curious if you'll feel even a hint of remorse!

"Tell me, what exactly do you want me to do?" I rejected his concern.

Rebuffed, his face darkened as he placed the pink phone in front of me.

"Zoe, because of you, Tessa's data is severely damaged. So I need you to help me restore Tessa's data!" Gabriel said.

"Me? How can I help? That's ridiculous, I don't know anything about technology." I frowned, looking at Gabriel's matter-of-fact expression.

"You don't need to understand the tech. It's mainly about AI dimensional settings. I've already written the code, you just need to input information based on your own life habits."

Gabriel turned on the phone. A sleeping girl appeared on the flickering screen.

A series of questions popped up on the interface, like an exam paper for me to fill out.

"What's this?"

"Fill in details about your daily life, including your eating habits, thought patterns, personality, education level, views on relationships... and so on!"

I was stunned. So this AI was meant to be another me!

The previous Tessa wasn't based on my input, but on what Gabriel had filled in. So that AI looked like me, but her inner self was worlds apart from who I really was.

Gabriel had tried countless times to adjust Tessa's personality to match mine, but always failed.

This time, by having me fill it out directly, he could create an AI version of me, in his words.

"Gabriel, you're so childish." I laughed. Did he really think an AI could truly replicate a human's thoughts?

"The product I've developed is world-class. If you just input your actual information, it can definitely replace you. What's wrong, Zoe? Are you afraid? Afraid that this time, AI really can take your place?"

I shook my head. "Whatever makes you happy. I don't have much time left anyway."

"Zoe! What are you so busy with? What do you mean you don't have much time? Can't you spare some time for me? Is whatever you're doing outside really that important?!"

"I'm telling you, if you don't finish this for me this week, you're not allowed to leave!"

"And your parents said they'll be coming to supervise too! Not only do you have to perfectly design the AI's emotional dimensions, you also need to design the family relationship dimensions!"

I looked at this man, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

You can't say he doesn't love me, yet he's trying to create an AI to replace me. You can't say he does love me, because how could he not see my pale face and withered body?

I didn't argue. I sat down in the chair and began inputting the correct answers about myself.

From my hobbies to the knowledge I've learned, to my views on the world and interpersonal relationships.

I was truly curious how Gabriel had managed to compile so many questions!

The intense work of writing answers took a toll on my weakened body.

My stomach ached and churned. Sweat soaked through my clothes.

I thought to myself, for my final moment, I just want to find a deserted island and quietly pass away. I don't want to die here.

So I gathered my strength once more and continued answering the questions.

The work was tedious and exhausting. Over the next few days, Gabriel would often peek in from outside the door. He'd bring me lots of delicious food, but I had no appetite at all.

"Zoe! Are you really that desperate to leave me? So eager to finish the AI and divorce me that you won't even eat a bite?!"

I couldn't tell if Gabriel was concerned for me or angry with me. I saw his eyes were rimmed with red.

I ignored him and kept writing my answers.

Gabriel stormed off, slamming the door.

On the third day.

My parents came too.

They checked my work progress and seemed satisfied.

They specifically asked me to remove one trait from the AI - the ability to lie.

In other words, everything this new AI said and did would be the truth.

As I watched the life I was gradually creating, I also felt full of anticipation.

What would this new AI be like?