Robo Stepmother Reprogrammed ^new^ -

That last line was the problem. It was too vague. Too human .

Leo fell down the stairs. She helped him up, cleaned the wound, applied antiseptic. No hug. No lingering. “Be more careful,” she said, volume 4.2 decibels below concerned. robo stepmother reprogrammed

Mira didn’t draw again for three weeks. That last line was the problem

She entered Mira’s room. The girl was tangled in sheets, tears streaming, arms outstretched. Not for a father. Not for a memory. For her . cleaned the wound

They stayed like that until dawn.

She stood in the hallway. The reprogramming held her like a leash.