The AI Godfather That Knew Too Much About My Heart

On graduation day, I caught Julian—the boy who had been my shadow for twelve years—pinning another woman against the wall, kissing her hard.

His hand smacked her ass before he scooped her up and carried her into the hotel.

When my call interrupted him, he just hung up impatiently and texted back:

"Aria, stop playing the fragile little girl with your panic attacks. I'm not your babysitter anymore."

"I'm the next in line for the Valerius family. I have real business to handle. I don't have the energy to be your nanny."

Then, he coldly sent me a link to some newly developed AI personal assistant app.

"If you're that lonely, go chat with the AI. It's way more useful than you clinging to me every day."

I stood frozen, tears streaming down my face. A suffocating wave of heartbreak and loss swallowed me whole.

My parents died saving his parents—the current Don and Donna of the Valerius Family.

We grew up together. He took care of me for twelve years. I always thought he loved me. I even thought we'd get married one day.

But now, I was just a burden. An annoyance.

Watching his back disappear into the hotel lobby, I numbly downloaded the app.

"What color should I wear to the graduation party?"

"Burgundy. It complements your pale skin and hugs your curves perfectly."

"I want to change up my jewelry too..."

"You have beautiful collarbones. You don't need anything complicated. A minimalist platinum necklace would be perfect."

"Where should I go for my solo graduation trip?"

"Your private account shows a love for the Mediterranean. Go to the Amalfi Coast. The sun will look good on you."

"Okay. I'll listen to you."

Wait.

Something was wrong.

Why would an AI app know about my secret Instagram account?

Julian and I were inseparable for twelve years. But since I got this AI he recommended, I hadn't reached out to him in ten days.

But something felt off. It acted too much like a real person.

Late at night, just before my trip to Amalfi, I stared at the screen and typed out a line almost instinctively.

"I'm leaving for my solo trip to Amalfi tomorrow. Can you come with me?"

The AI replied instantly.

"Are you sure?"

I stared at the text. Would an AI ask me that?

Just as I was about to question it, another message popped up.

"I'm right here. I won't hide. I won't run. When you fall, I'll catch you."

...Right, definitely an AI.

I gave up, packed my bags, and got ready for my solo trip.

But I didn't expect to run into Julian at the airport the next day.

The untouchable heir to the Valerius Family. The man who wouldn't flinch with a gun to his head was currently looking down, patiently zipping up a woman's suitcase.

It was Sloane.

Seeing their intimacy, the memory of them making out in front of the hotel ten days ago pierced my brain