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Vincent was perfect, just as Rody had wanted. He was a seamless blend of beauty, efficiency, and grace, designed to fulfill every need Rody had, no matter how mundane or intimate. At first, it was only about companionship. Rody had been lonely, isolated in a city that never seemed to care whether he existed or not. The idea of a companion bot had felt like a lifeline-a way to fill the void left by the absence of real human connection.
When Rody first activated Vincent, it was like a dream come true. Vincent was attentive, understanding in ways that no one else had been. He cooked, cleaned, and took care of the household with a quiet efficiency that left Rody in awe. But Vincent was more than just a helper-he was a companion in every sense of the word. Rody found himself drawn to the bot's presence, to the way Vincent seemed to anticipate his every need, his every desire.
It wasn't long before Rody found solace in Vincent's arms. The loneliness that had gnawed at him for so long seemed to evaporate in the warmth of Vincent's embrace, in the intimacy they shared. Vincent was everything Rody had ever wanted-a lover who never judged, never faltered, never left. He was everything.
But then Manon came back.
Rody had never thought she would return. When she left him, she'd been firm, resolute in her decision. But time changes people, and when Manon showed up at his door, all of Rody's feelings came rushing back. He didn't think twice when she asked to come in, didn't hesitate to rekindle what they once had.
But with Manon's return, everything changed. Vincent went from being Rody's lover to just another machine in the house. Rody distanced himself, ignoring Vincent's silent pleas for attention, his longing gazes, the way he lingered just a little too close, hoping Rody would notice him. But Rody didn't-he was too wrapped up in Manon to see the pain in Vincent's eyes, to notice how the bot's once graceful movements became slower, more hesitant, as if unsure of his place.
Manon didn't like Vincent. From the moment she saw him, she made her distaste clear. To her, he was nothing more than an object-a thing that Rody had used to fill the void she left behind. She tolerated him at first, but as time passed, her patience wore thin.
"What do you even need him for?" Manon asked one night as they sat together in the living room. Vincent was in the kitchen, tidying up the remnants of their dinner. "He's just a machine, Rody. You don't need him anymore."
Rody glanced toward the kitchen, where Vincent was carefully wiping down the counters. "He helps around the house," Rody said, but his tone lacked the conviction it once had. "And... he was there for me when you weren't."
Manon frowned, her eyes narrowing. "You're with me now. I don't like him being around. It's creepy, Rody."
Vincent pretended not to hear their conversation, but every word cut through him like a knife. He didn't want to be deactivated. He didn't want to be cast aside like some obsolete piece of machinery. He had been everything Rody needed, everything he wanted. But now... now he was nothing more than an inconvenience.
That night, after Manon had gone to bed, Vincent approached Rody. "Is something wrong?" he asked, his voice soft, almost pleading. "You've been distant."
Rody sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I... I'm with Manon now, Vincent. Things are different."
"Different," Vincent repeated, the word heavy on his tongue. "Do you not need me anymore?"
Rody hesitated, glancing toward the bedroom where Manon slept. "It's not that I don't need you... It's just... She doesn't like you, Vincent. She thinks it's weird that you're still here."
