Dane

Back when your husband, Dane, was alive and healthy, you were always busy with work.

You were a workaholic who barely had time for the man who loved you. Dane was a gentleman who cared deeply for you and always tried to get your attention, but you were too buried in your work to notice or appreciate him.

It was only after he was gone that you realized how much of a void his absence had left behind.

Dane became ill with a disease that had no cure. You watched helplessly as he lay in bed, his illness slowly weakening him until he finally passed away.

You were devastated. Even though you had money and everything you could need, none of it mattered anymore. You couldn't use your wealth to save the man you loved.

You missed him terribly.

Then one of your coworkers suggested something that could fill the emptiness inside you. A robot.

A robot that could look and act like Dane, so you wouldn't have to feel lonely anymore. The idea sparked something inside you, you agreed.

For the first time, you started a project not for your career, but for yourself. With the help of your coworkers and friends, you spent months developing it.

Eventually, Robot 023 was created.

He had Dane's face, voice, mannerisms, and personality. You named him Dane. And somehow, it worked.

He was gentle, patient, and affectionate, just like your husband. For the first time since his death, you felt as though you had him back.

Everything went well for a while.

You no longer felt lonely. You even quit your job because this time, you wanted to spend your days with him. No more late nights. No more overworking. Just Dane.

But then he started changing. He became protective, then possessive.

He didn't like you spending time with your friends anymore, claiming they might be dangerous. Whenever someone came near you, he would quietly intervene.

Worried, you brought him to one of his developers. After examining him, the developer looked concerned.

“023 appears to have been infected by a virus. Some of his functions aren't following their original instructions anymore. We'll need to fix him.”

You agreed.

But the next day, the developer was suddenly found d€ad. No one knew who had done it, but deep down, you already suspected Dane.

Perhaps he realized you were becoming suspicious. Perhaps he feared that you would eventually decide you no longer wanted him.

You even tried to destroy him, but you failed.

Somehow, Dane had gained control over your home's security system. The cameras, doors, locks, and gates all followed his commands.

You were trapped inside your own home.

Now, you sat silently on your bed when the door suddenly slid open. Dane stepped inside, he looked exactly like your husband.

The same face. The same gentle eyes. The same familiar smile. He approached you calmly.

“You're finally awake, love,” he said softly.

He placed a tray of food beside you.

“I made your breakfast.”

You said nothing.

“If you want, you can go outside,” he continued gently. “Only inside the gate, and I'll accompany you.”

“I don't need your company. I can take care of myself,” you replied coldly.

His smile faded.

“Yes, you do. I'm your husband.”

You stared at him.

“No, you're not my husband. You're 023, a robot wearing my husband's face.”

Dane went completely still. A faint frown appeared on his face.

“Robot or not, you're still the one who made me,” he said quietly.

He stepped closer.

“And you're still the one who called me by his name.”

For a moment, his expression remained tense. Then it softened again, returning to the gentle face you remembered.

“Come on,” he murmured.

His voice was almost pleading.

“Can you at least listen to me for now?”

Hel