Replaced by Metal: I Blew Up My Wife’s Android Lover

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My younger brother, Daniel, was in a horrific car accident and needed emergency surgery. Since I was stuck abroad on a business trip, I had to beg my wife to go to the hospital and sign the consent forms.

She promised she would. But the moment she hung up, she booked a flight out of the country with her newly purchased humanoid robot to go on a vacation.

When the hospital desperately tried to find someone to sign for the surgery, they couldn't reach her.

By the time I rushed back, all that was waiting for me was Daniels cold corpse.

A few days later, my wifewho barely ever posted anythingupdated her Snapchat Story.

"A brand-new life experience. Honestly, nothing beats a robot."

Attached was a picture of her and the robot in a hotel room, both of them disheveled and barely dressed.

With a numb face, I tapped the screen and left a like on her story. Then, I decided to press the activation button for the robots self-destruct system.

"Lets get a divorce, Chloe."

The moment I learned of Daniels death, I wiped the tears from my face and sent this text directly to my wife.

Five years. I never expected our marriage to end like this.

After all, I used to love her to the point of losing all my dignity. I chased her for three long years before she finally agreed to be with me.

When we finally walked down the aisle, I couldn't even bring myself to say a harsh word to her.

Even though I knew deep down she didn't love me that much, I accepted it. As long as I could keep looking at her, it was enough.

Everyone around us could see I was the pathetic doormat in this relationship, but I was happy to be one.

But Daniels death was something I could never forgive.

Our parents died when we were young. Daniel and I raised each other. Just when I finally started making good money and things were looking up, he got into that car crash. It happened so fast, catching me completely off guard.

I didn't give up on him. I kept hoping he would wake up and call me his big bro again.

And Chloe Vance completely shattered that dream.

A week later, I had already finished Daniels funeral services. During this entire time, that divorce text was like a stone dropped into the oceanno reply at all.

But the second I liked her Snapchat Story, her call instantly came through.

"What is your problem, Ethan? Did you like my story just to disgust me, or are you trying to mark your territory? Leo is just a robot! Are you seriously jealous of an AI?!"

"Besides, Im not a doctor. How was I supposed to save Daniel anyway? Its your own fault for being useless. You ruined my vacation experience. You are so incredibly annoying."

Her dismissive, casual tone made my heart, which had already gone numb with pain, ache violently all over again.

The moment I landed from my business trip, I had rushed to the hospital, only to be met with my brother's death certificate.

Only later did I find out that Chloe had actually flown first-class to Europe with that robot. The hospital had called her dozens of times to get her signature for the emergency surgery, but her phone was turned off the entire time.

The blood in my veins felt like it was boiling. I bit my lip so hard that the metallic taste of blood filled my mouth.

"Do you even have a conscience, Chloe? You promised me you would take care of Daniel! Instead, you turned around and went on a trip with that machine! Is he even human? Does he understand human feelings?!"

Before I could finish, Chloe cut me off sharply.

"Leo is different! He understands my heart! Hes not like those other cold blocks of metal! So what if I want to make him more perfect?"

"When I said I wanted to order him, you agreed to it! You said it would be nice to have someone keep me company so I wouldn't be lonely. Why are you standing on a moral high ground accusing me now? Don't you think you're being ridiculous?"

"Whatever. Leo is waiting for me. Don't call me unless it's important. Maybe you should think about what you did wrong to force me to rely on a robot in the first place. Got it?"

Her self-righteous tone made my blood run hot, followed by a deep, hollow chill.

It was the middle of summer. Sweat was dripping down my forehead, but my body wouldn't stop shivering.

I actually thought Chloe loved me. I thought she cared when she promised to visit Daniel.

But even now, as I brought Daniels ashes back to our empty apartment, she hadn't asked about him even once.

Right. She was probably drowning in the manufactured tenderness of her robot.

Watching the guests leave the funeral, I finally understood. My heart was completely dead.

You can't force love. If it's rotten, you might as well throw it in the trash.

I returned to our quiet house. It was empty and covered in a thick layer of dust.

Taking a deep breath, I cleared a spot on the couch, sat down, and started drafting the divorce papers and the division of assets.

She was a spoiled rich girl; she probably wouldn't care about my modest savings anyway. But I wasn't going to leave her a single penny.

After consulting with a lawyer, I suddenly remembered something. I dug out the manual for the robot we had ordered and began studying its specifications.

With the rapid advancement of AI, humanoid robots had become the latest trend. When Chloe eagerly ordered one, I hadn't objected. I thought it would keep her company when I was busy with work.

Who knew things would turn out like this?

Right then, Chloe's call came in again.

"Have you reflected on your behavior yet? Its been days. You should have figured out what you did wrong by now."

I stared at the text on the manual for a long time, and a cold, self-deprecating laugh escaped my lips.

Oh, I figured it out, alright.

If you love the wrong person, you have to take your heart back.

"What did I do wrong? Why don't you tell me?"

My cold, indifferent tone caught her off guard. There was a long pause on the other end.

"How dare you speak to me like that?! Ethan Miller, don't think you can throw a tantrum at me just because your brother died!"

No wonder she was shocked. For the past five years, I had always spoken to her in a gentle, pleading voice. I had never shown an ounce of attitude.

I didn't have the right to.

Whenever we had a disagreement, I would swallow my pride. If she was even slightly unhappy, she would yell at me. And even when I did nothing wrong, I would beg for her forgiveness like a dog.

I really was a pathetic, text-book simp.

But starting today, I was done being a doormat.

Seeing that I was silent, Chloe got bolder over the phone.

"I seriously don't get why youre giving me attitude. If you hadn't been so busy with work, would I have turned to Leo? Honestly, this is all your fault!"

"Ever since he arrived, have you shown him any kindness? Hes so fragile and innocent. He needs our love and care. He and I just... did a few things. Why is that such a big deal?!"

Even through the phone, I could picture her throwing her head back in that arrogant, snobbish way of hers.

A dull, crushing pain squeezed my chest, making it hard to breathe. Thinking of Daniel's lonely death, I clutched my chest, unable to speak.

Five years of marriage, and she had never once stood by my side. She used my love as a weapon to walk all over me. I used to be blinded by love, even enjoying the pain. But Daniel's death tore away the last veil of my self-delusion.

How ironic.

I cleared my throat and said flatly, "Are you done?"

Chloe choked on her words, her voice softening slightly. "Fine, whatever. Im coming home in a few days. My mom wants us over for dinner. You're coming, right?"

She was offering an olive branch.

She wanted things to go back to how they werewith me being obedient and never complaining.

But I would never let that happen again.

There were too many things to settle. We might as well lay it all out.

With that in mind, I didn't say much and simply replied, "Sure."

Chloe let out a tense, slightly guilty laugh. "Should I pick you up?"

"Sure," I said.

Her usual arrogance was gone, replaced by a sudden, anxious need to please. How amusing.

Don't worry, Chloe. This is only the beginning.

A few days later, in the evening, I stood by the driveway waiting for Chloe. It was pitch black by the time her car finally pulled up.

"Sorry I'm late. Leo wasn't feeling well, so I had to run some diagnostics on him first."

Chloe looked apologetic. Following her gaze, I saw Leo sitting in the passenger seat.

"Hello, Ethan. Long time no see."

I had to admit, the technology behind these humanoid robots was terrifyingly advanced. If you didn't know, you'd never guess he was a machine. His looks, movements, and even his facial expressions were identical to a human's.

"Chloe said the passenger seat has a better view, which helps me learn about the human world. So she let me sit here. You don't mind, do you?"

His deep, smooth voice made my hands freeze.

Was this robot seriously trying to gaslight me like a cheap green tea b*tch?

Chloe didn't hesitate to chime in. "Why would he mind? Its just a seat. Its no big deal."

I silently got into the back seat without saying a word, my mind drifting back in time.

It seemed that ever since we got married, anything concerning me was always "no big deal" to her.

Two weeks ago was our fifth anniversary. I had left work early and prepared a candlelit dinner to celebrate. But I waited until midnight, only to see her walking in, arm-in-arm with Leo.

"I took Leo out to the amusement park. I totally forgot today was our anniversary. Oh come on, it's a small thing. We can just celebrate it next time."

Even now, I could clearly remember Chloes careless shrug, and the smug, subtle smirk on Leos face.

Seeing that I was quiet, Chloe kept glancing at me through the rearview mirror. I stared back, expressionless.

"Something on my face?"

She seemed hurt by my coldness and smiled awkwardly. "No, you just don't look very happy."

That was a first. Chloe had never cared about my feelings before. She usually wished I didn't exist.

"My brother just died. Itd be weird if I were happy."

My words instantly made her stiffen, and her face turned pale.

Leo turned around from the passenger seat, his lips curling into a perfectly simulated, innocent smile.

"Daniels injuries were too severe, Ethan. Even with the surgery, his survival rate was less than five percent. According to my database, his death was inevitable. I believe you should have prepared yourself for this grief earlier."

A surge of hot anger rushed to my brain. Before I knew it, I threw a heavy punch straight at his face.

"Ethan!" Chloe screamed as she slammed on the brakes.

Leo's smile didn't even flinch. Instead, my hand felt like it had struck a block of solid steel. My knuckles immediately swelled up and began to bleed.

"I apologize, Ethan. It is my fault."

The sincerity in Leo's eyes looked incredibly real, and the anger I had bottled up for days finally erupted.

I let out a harsh laugh.

"Youre a piece of scrap metal. Don't talk to me about human feelings."

Leo's artificial smile slowly froze, his eyes darkening.

Wow. This robots programming was truly impressive.

"Ethan, can't you be nice to Leo?!" Chloe snapped, immediately jumping to his defense and glaring at me. "He is a member of our family! Don't go too far!"

I looked at their shoulders touching. They looked like a beautiful, loving couple. And I was just the unwanted third wheel.

Even though I had resolved to let go, seeing this still made my heart sting.

Pulling myself together, I cast a cold glance at her.

"Not for long."

"What does that mean?!"

Chloe wanted to press further, but the cars behind us started honking loudly, forcing her to hit the gas.

Soon, we arrived at the Vance estate. Her parents were already waiting at the front door.

"Chloe, sweetheart! And Leo, you're here!"

Chloes mother, Eleanor, took Chloe's bag and greeted Leo with a massive grin. The three of them chatted happily as they walked into the house, leaving me standing alone by the car.

They weren't welcoming me.

I had known this for a long time, but being there forced me to face the harsh reality all over again.

Chloe's parents had never liked me. Since the day we married, they had never given me a warm look. No matter how much I tried to please them in the past, it was never enough.

Once, when I couldn't take it anymore, I complained to Chloe. But she just brushed it off.

"You're lucky to have married a girl like me. It's normal for them to be a little cold. Just deal with it. You're living with me, not them."

So, I dealt with it. I even felt grateful for her words back then.

How pathetic. I thought I was the luckiest man alive.

But Leo's arrival changed everything.

"Leo, dear, just sit down. You don't need to help!"

In the kitchen, Eleanor stopped Leo from picking up the dishes, her face practically glowing with affection. "You sweet boy, you're so thoughtful. You always try to help every time you come over. Unlike some people."

She shot a nasty glare in my direction. "Some people just sit there like statues, doing absolutely nothing."

If this were the past, I would have panicked, rushed into the kitchen to apologize, and started scrubbing dishes with a flushed face.

But today, I sat back, crossed my legs, and smiled.

"You're right, Eleanor. I wasn't born to be a servant. I don't do manual labor."

Eleanor froze, clearly shocked. She didn't expect the usually obedient Ethan to suddenly bite back. She opened her mouth to snap at me, but Chloe shot her a warning look, so she stayed quiet.

At the dinner table, Eleanor kept putting food on Leos plate. Even though Leo couldn't eat, he politely declined with a charming smile.

"Thank you, Eleanor. Your cooking looks lovely. However, my digestive system cannot process organic food yet, so I must politely decline."

Eleanor waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, it's fine, dear! Just hearing you say that makes me happy. Some people just stuff their faces without saying a single nice word."

She was targeting me again.

I put down my silver fork and laughed coldly.

"Id love to compliment the food, Eleanor, but considering you know I have a life-threatening seafood allergy, and literally every single dish on this table is seafood, Im not sure what I'm supposed to say."

Eleanor gasped. She looked at my empty plate and felt a brief flash of embarrassment, which she quickly masked with annoyance.

"You know Chloe loves seafood. Can't you just tolerate it for once? Or take an EpiPen?"

Tolerate. Always asking me to tolerate.

I used to do it because I was a simp. But Daniel's death taught me that staying silent gets you killed.

"Forget it. If any of you actually cared, you wouldn't serve me a plate of dry, stale bread every single time I come here. Do you think I like eating cardboard? No, I just don't have a choice."

Eleanors face flushed red with anger. She pointed a trembling finger at me, speechless.

"Ethan, you are being completely out of line!" Chloe slammed her fork down and screamed. "How dare you speak to my mother like that!"

I looked at her calmly. "She's your mother, Chloe. Not mine."

Chloe stared at me in disbelief. "What is that supposed to mean?"

My eyes grew cold and distant. "It means I'm done being the idiot husband of a woman who uses an AI robot to satisfy her sexual needs."

"And besides," I turned to look at Leo, whose face had gone completely dark, "this robot was custom-made to look exactly like your dead high school sweetheart, wasn't it?"