Chapter 8: Return Home
Their colleagues, unaware of the secret, marveled at how quickly Miguel and Aubree had returned to their old selves. In the break room, during surgeries, and in meetings, Robo-Aubree’s presence was a welcome return to normalcy for everyone. Her laugh filled the corridors again, her brilliant insights during consultations were as sharp as ever, and her nurturing care for patients never faltered.
But every time she did something so typically "Aubree," it sent a pang through Miguel’s heart. He had thought he could manage it, that having her back, even in this form, would be enough. But now he realized how deeply unsettling it was to interact with this perfect imitation. The small things like the way she tilted her head when listening or the way she smiled at him when she thought no one else was looking these were things that had once warmed his heart, but now they only reminded him of what was missing.
One evening, after a particularly long day at the hospital, they returned to their home. The place was just as they had left it, yet everything felt different to Miguel. Every piece of furniture, every photograph, every trinket held memories of the life he had shared with Aubree. The house was a testament to the love they had built, and now it felt like a mausoleum, holding remnants of a life that was no longer whole.
Robo-Aubree moved about the house with the ease of someone who had lived there for years. She unpacked their bags, arranged their things, and even started cooking dinner, just like Aubree used to do. Miguel watched her from the doorway, a deep sadness settling in his chest.
"Do you want some pasta for dinner?" Robo-Aubree called out from the kitchen, her tone light and cheerful.
Miguel hesitated, his heart heavy. "Sure," he replied, forcing a smile.
"Pasta sounds great."
As she cooked, Miguel walked over to the bookshelf and picked up a framed photo of their wedding day. Aubree looked radiant in her dress, her smile wide and full of life. He could almost hear her laughter as they posed for the photographer, could almost feel the warmth of her hand in his as they had danced the night away.
He set the photo back down, his hand trembling slightly. How long could he keep this up? How long could he pretend that everything was okay when it was anything but?
Robo-Aubree joined him in the living room a few minutes later, carrying two plates of pasta.
"Dinner’s ready," she said, setting the plates on the table.
Miguel sat down, trying to push away the disquiet in his heart. They ate in relative silence, the only sounds coming from the clinking of forks against plates. Robo-Aubree chatted about their day, about the cases they had worked on, and about their colleagues. It was all so normal, so mundane, and yet Miguel felt like he was sitting in a stranger’s house.
After dinner, they sat together on the couch, just as they used to. Robo-Aubree nestled into his side, resting her head on his shoulder.
"I’ve missed this," she said softly. "Just being here with you, at home."
Miguel wrapped an arm around her, the gesture automatic, but his mind was elsewhere.
"Yeah… I’ve missed it too," he replied, though the words felt hollow.
Robo-Aubree looked up at him, her eyes searching his face.
"Miguel, I know this is hard for you. It’s hard for me too, in a way. But we’re in this together, remember? We can get through this, one day at a time."
Miguel stared into her eyes that were so familiar, yet so different. "I just… I don’t know how long I can keep pretending," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.
Robo-Aubree’s expression softened. "You don’t have to pretend, Miguel. I’m here because I love you. Because Aubree loves you. And I’ll do whatever it takes to make this easier for you."
Miguel looked away, guilt gnawing at him. "It’s not your fault. None of this is your fault. I’m the one who agreed to this, who thought I could handle it. But sometimes… it’s just too much."
Robo-Aubree reached out and gently turned his face back to hers. "You’re not alone in this. I’m here for you, and I’ll help you carry this burden. We can make this work, Miguel. We have to."
Miguel nodded, though his heart was still conflicted. He knew that she was right this was the choice they had made, and they had to live with it. But the reality of that choice was more difficult than he had ever imagined.
---
The next morning, Miguel woke up to find Robo-Aubree already up, preparing breakfast in the kitchen. The smell of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, mixing with the scent of pancakes and syrup. It was a scene that had played out countless times before, a comforting routine that had once been the highlight of his mornings.
But as he watched her move about the kitchen, humming softly to herself, he couldn’t shake the feeling of unease. This was Aubree’s routine, Aubree’s way of making the morning special for them both. Yet it wasn’t really her.
"Morning," Robo-Aubree said with a smile when she saw him standing in the doorway. "I made your favorite pancakes with blueberries."
Miguel forced a smile, pushing away the nagging thoughts in his mind. "Thanks," he said, walking over to join her at the table.
As they ate, Robo-Aubree talked about the plans for the day a few surgeries, a meeting with the hospital board, and a possible lunch with Dr. Ramirez. Miguel listened, nodding in all the right places, but his mind was elsewhere. He couldn’t stop thinking about Aubree, the real Aubree, still lying in a hospital bed on that remote island, her fate uncertain.
Robo-Aubree must have noticed his distraction because she reached across the table and took his hand. "Miguel, you’re really quiet today. What’s on your mind?"
Miguel sighed, looking down at their joined hands. "I’m just… worried. About Aubree. About what happens next."
"We’ll find a way to bring her back," Robo-Aubree said with quiet determination.
"We just need to be patient. In the meantime, we have to stay strong, for her."
Miguel nodded, though the weight of his worry didn’t lessen.
"I know. It’s just hard to stay hopeful sometimes."
Robo-Aubree squeezed his hand, her grip firm and reassuring.
"We have to believe that she’ll wake up. Until then, I’m here for you, Miguel. We’re in this together."
Miguel looked into her eyes, searching for the comfort he desperately needed. "I don’t know what I’d do without you," he admitted, his voice thick with emotion.
"You’ll never have to find out," Robo-Aubree said softly, her words a promise.
---
As the days turned into weeks, the routine of hospital life resumed. Miguel and Robo-Aubree continued to work side by side, saving lives and comforting families. To their colleagues, they were the same unstoppable team, as brilliant and dedicated as ever. But beneath the surface, Miguel was struggling.
He couldn’t shake the feeling that he was living a lie, that every day he spent with Robo-Aubree was a betrayal of the real Aubree, the woman he had vowed to love and protect. He couldn’t help but wonder if she would have wanted this if she would have wanted her memories and personality to be transferred into a machine, if she would have wanted him to carry on with this charade.
One evening, after a particularly grueling surgery, Miguel found himself sitting in his office, staring at the photograph of him and Aubree on their wedding day. The smile on her face was so full of life, so full of hope for the future. It broke his heart to think that the future they had planned had been shattered so violently.
Robo-Aubree knocked gently on the door, peeking in with a concerned expression. "Miguel? Are you okay?"
Miguel looked up, quickly wiping away the tears that had formed in his eyes. "Yeah, I’m fine. Just… thinking."
Robo-Aubree stepped into the room, closing the door behind her. "You don’t have to hide your feelings from me, Miguel. I know this is hard for you. It’s hard for me too."
Miguel shook his head, frustration bubbling to the surface. "But that’s just it, isn’t it? You’re not really her. You can’t know what this feels like, not really."
Robo-Aubree’s expression softened, a flicker of sadness in her eyes. "I know I’m not her, Miguel. I know I can’t replace her. But I still care about you. I still want to help you through this."
Miguel let out a shaky breath, running a hand through his hair. "I just… I miss her so much. And every time I look at you, it’s like I’m being torn in two. Part of me is so grateful to have you here, to have some part of her with me. But another part of me feels like I’m betraying her by being with you."
Robo-Aubree reached out, gently placing a hand on his shoulder. "You’re not betraying her, Miguel. You’re just trying to cope with a situation that no one should ever have to face. And I’m here to help you, however I can."