Chapter 19 - The Final Signatures
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The final administrative meeting took place in a neutral deposition room at the county courthouse.
Daniel sat at the far end of the long wooden table alongside a public defender. He had lost his sleek corporate appearance entirely; he wore a plain gray suit, his hair was cropped short, and his posture was completely slouched.
I sat at the opposite end with Nathan Cole.
When the court clerk placed the final settlement documents on the table, Daniel signed his name with a trembling hand. He didn't look up until the clerk collected the papers and left the room.
"Rebecca," Daniel called out softly as I stood up to leave.
I paused near the door, my hand resting on the handle. "Yes, Daniel?"
"Did you ever love me?" he asked, his voice cracking with genuine pain. "Or was I just an experiment to you?"
I turned to face him one last time.
"I loved you completely, Daniel," I said honestly. "I loved you enough to give up my luxury, my status, and my pride just to build a simple life with you. But you didn't want a partner. You wanted a servant."
Daniel looked down at his empty hands, unable to meet my eyes.
May you like
"Goodbye, Daniel," I said softly.
I pulled open the heavy wooden door and walked out into the sunlit hallway, leaving him behind in the shadows of his own creation.
