Chapter 4

When I opened my eyes again, I was lying in a hospital ward.

The android sat beside my bed. The moment he saw that I was awake, he leaned forward and asked, "Honey, how are you feeling? Does your head still hurt?"

Instead of answering, I stared directly into his eyes. "Why did you save Ophelia when the accident happened?"

Panic flickered across his face. His explanation came out stiff and unnatural. "Honey, don't misunderstand. She was closer to me at the time. That's why I rescued her first."

Looking at the face that was identical to Cody's, I suddenly burst into laughter. As I laughed, my eyes gradually filled with tears.

So it wasn't just Cody whose heart belonged to Ophelia. Even the highest priority in the very foundation of the code he had personally written belonged to her.

Without another word, I pulled the IV needle from the back of my hand and walked out of the ward.

When I reached Ophelia's ward, the door was slightly ajar. Their conversation drifted through the gap.

"Cody, I'm really pregnant." Ophelia's voice trembled with sobs. "But an android can't possibly get someone pregnant. Sooner or later everyone will find out. What are we going to do then?"

Cody's voice remained calm. "Don't be afraid. I'll figure something out," he said soothingly.

I leaned against the cold wall. I clenched my fists so hard that my knuckles turned white. My heart had already become so numb that I barely felt anything.

I wandered outside alone for a long time. When I finally returned home, I expected to face the emotionless android once again. Instead, the man waiting inside made me stop in my tracks.

I recognized immediately that he wasn't the android. He was the real Cody.

The moment he saw me, he walked over in big strides and wrapped me in his arms. He then rested his chin on the top of my head.

"Naomi, I'm sorry. I've been too busy lately. I've neglected you," he said gently.

Lowering his head, he tried to kiss me. I could smell the familiar scent of women's perfume. It was the one Ophelia always used.

I immediately felt nauseous and pushed him away with all my strength.

"I'm tired. I don't want to do this."

He froze on the spot. Shock filled his eyes.

In the past, I had always indulged him. No matter how cold or distant he became, and no matter how many nights he never came home, I would still smile and wait for him.

He probably never imagined that I had already seen through every one of his lies.

I finally understood why he had come home this time.

He wanted to sleep with me and get me pregnant. Later, with the android serving as his alibi, he could bring Ophelia's child into our household as if everything was perfectly natural.

The sheer calculation of it made me sick.

A few seconds later, his phone rang.

After he answered it, something the caller said caused his expression to change. He hung up and looked at me apologetically. "Something's come up at the lab. I have to go. Get some rest."

With that, he hurried out.

Not long after that, the front door was unlocked again.

I glanced over and saw the android walking in this time.

Now that I thought about it, replacing one with the other had probably been part of their routine for a very long time even in my previous life.

Soon, I received a call from the director. He asked if I was ready to join the Time Machine Project.

"I'm ready," I said calmly. I was already holding my packed luggage.

That afternoon, the institute urgently assembled everyone for a meeting.

Cody and Ophelia stood confidently at the front of the room. Their usual composure was still intact.

That confidence lasted only until the director stepped onto the stage. His gaze landed sternly on the two of them. "Cody, Ophelia, the two of you will no longer be part of the Time Machine Project."

Their expressions changed instantly. "Why, Director?"

The director tapped on the table. His voice echoed clearly throughout the conference room. "You misappropriated institute research resources to secretly manufacture androids. You used a false identity to deceive your own family. Your conduct is unethical.

"Effective immediately, the Time Machine Project will be placed entirely under Naomi's leadership."