Chapter 1

I curled up inside the closet, frantically breathing in the scent Mom had left behind.

Her clothes always smelled sweet, like gardenias.

I buried my face in her clothes and felt my life slipping away.

The closet was pitch-black, just like the night Mom left us.

But this time, I wasn’t afraid.

The strange voice had said that as long as I gave up my life, Mom could come back.

Then Dad wouldn’t have to be in so much pain.

I closed my eyes, and my consciousness gradually began to fade.

When I regained consciousness, I found the robot standing in standby mode in the living room.

I floated in the air and curiously reached out to touch its head.

It had a round head and could produce a voice just like mine.

That was why Dad had named it Otto.

He said he was going to bring Mom back, so he had Otto take care of my meals, bedtime, and homework.

I was so happy.

With Otto around, Dad wouldn’t have to work so hard anymore.

But the next day, Otto had changed.

It didn’t cook for me. Instead, several brown pellets popped out of its belly.

Otto’s voice was still sweet.

[Here’s your food for today!]

“Otto, Otto, I want Mom’s scrambled eggs.”

[Rose, as a little kitty, you can only eat cat food.]

I thought Otto had malfunctioned, so I tried pressing the reset button on its body.

But Otto only tilted its head and replayed a recorded message.

[Pet Mode activated. To make adjustments, please contact the administrator.]

I called Dad.

It took him a long time to answer.

There was a lot of noise on the other end, with several adults talking and machines roaring in the background.

Dad’s voice was hoarse, and his tone was impatient.

“Rose, haven’t I told you not to call me unless it’s important?”

“Dad, Otto is broken… It only gives me…”

I hadn’t finished speaking before he cut me off.

“Didn’t I ask Sophie to check on you every day? Why are you lying, Rose?”

I opened my mouth, but no words came out. Dad’s voice trembled with tears on the other end.

After Mom returned to her own world because Sophie had grown too close to Dad, he seemed to become a completely different person.

He stopped seeing Sophie and buried himself in the lab instead.

He searched desperately for a way to bring Mom back.

Sophie had no choice.

Whenever she came to visit, a frightening glint filled her eyes.

Later…

I frantically searched through my hazy memories when I suddenly heard the front door.

The lock clicked.

Heavy footsteps sounded, and a flicker of joy crossed my eyes.

Dad was home!