The car door swung open, and Stewart carried Briony inside.


    Cedric rke shut the door behind them, then circled around the hood to climb into the driver''s seat.


    Just as he was settling in, Ste burst out the front door, flinging her arms wide to block the car''s path. "You can''t take her to the hospital!"


    Cedric frowned, rolling down the window to lean out. “She passed out, Ste. Of course we have to get her checked out."


    "Bryn has me!" Ste snapped, her voice tight with worry. "She just fainted because she was overwhelmed. She doesn''t need a hospital!"


    Cedric eyed Ste, taking in her anxious posture. Something felt off, but before he could press her for answers, amotion erupted from the back seat.


    "Stewart, let go of me!"


    "Just calm down, Bryn. You fainted. I''m only trying to help-I need to get you to a doctor."


    "I don''t need to see a doctor! Let go of me!"


    Briony had only cked out for a moment. Now, awake and realizing she was cradled in Stewart''s arms, panic jolted through her. All she wanted was to get as far away from him as possible.


    Cedric, suddenly more intrigued than concerned, found himself sneaking nces at the rearview mirror.


    In the back, Briony was furious, wriggling to break free. Stewart, however, refused to budge.


    Their tussle escted until, in a burst of anger, Briony pped Stewart hard across the face.


    A sharp crack echoed inside the car. Silence fell.


    Cedric jerked his gaze away, clearing his throat in embarrassment. He thought,


    not for the first time, that he really shouldn''t be here right now...


    At that moment, a phone rang-Stewart''s.


    He nced at the caller ID, and his already stormy expression darkened.


    Rosita.


    Briony caught a glimpse of the screen. Seizing the moment, she shoved Stewart away and reached for the door handle.


    With a click, the door swung open and Briony scrambled out of the car.


    Ste rushed to her side, her face taut with concern. "Bryn, are you okay?" Briony just shook her head, still dizzy.


    The car door closed behind her, muting the sound of Stewart''s voice as he answered the call.


    Ste shot an angry nce at the back seat and muttered under her breath, "Stewart''s out of his mind. Does he really think building a couple of robots makes up for everything? What is he thinking?"


    Briony pressed her fingers to her throbbing temples. "If dragging me here to Ghana was all about that, then maybe it means he''s got some shred of a conscience left."


    Ste snorted. "I don''t buy it. He''s got another agenda."


    "He definitely does." Briony''s brow furrowed. "There''s something else going on."


    Just then, Stewart stepped out from the other side of the car and looked over at Briony. "Can we talk?"


    Briony knew this was inevitable. She drew a steadying breath and nodded. "Alright."


    ...


    Across the street from the science center, the coastline stretched out, golden sand meeting the restless sea.


    Briony and Stewart stood side by side, gazing out at the waves. Gulls wheeled overhead, their cries lost on the wind.


    Stewart''s voice was low and even. "I never meant for you to find out about those two robots this soon. But you''ve seemed so downtely that I pushed the team to finish the basics early. It was all a bit rushed, but if you''re not happy, just say so." "That''s not necessary," Briony replied, her tone chilly. "I appreciate technological progress and the dedication of your team. But this gift isn''t something I can ept."


    Stewart turned to her, confusion shadowing his features. "Why not?"


    She met his gaze, a bitter little smile tugging at her lips. "Stewart, do you even know what it is I''ve lost?"


    He faltered.


    "The dead don''te back," Briony said quietly. "Losing family hurt a lot. I''ve been through despair, even wanted to give up. But I can still tell the difference between reality and fantasy. No matter how lifelike, a machine is still just a machine. Artificial intelligence can mimic my memories, but it''ll never recreate my feelings."


    She paused, steadying herself before continuing.


    "I don''t know what your real purpose is with this project, and honestly, I''m past caring. I don''t need machines to heal me. Yes, grief is brutal, but I''ll get through it eventually. So your so-called gift? I refuse."


    Stewart''s brow furrowed, dark eyes unreadable.


    After a long silence, he spoke, his voice weighted with regret. "I thought this project could at least ease some of your pain."


    "There''s always pain-we all have regrets," Briony replied. "If I want to keep living,


    I have to learn to ept that. But I''ll never forgive you. Or Rosita."


    Her voice was cold, final. She was done with that conversation, ready to move on


    to the real reason they were here.


    "Tomorrow''s the third day," she reminded him. "If there''s something you need from me, now''s the time to say it."


    Stewart stared at her, eyes shadowed.


    A gust of sea wind tugged at Briony''s hair, a few strands brushing across her


    cheek.