Larissa was stunned. She couldn’t believe her handsome new father was brilliant enough to create such a lifelike android. But more than surprise, she felt a wave of warmth. Neville had spent two decades on this creation, and he had given it freely to her, his non-biological daughter.
Touched, Larissa looked at Sapphira. “Mom, have you and Dad always wanted a child of your own?”
Sapphira froze.
Larissa continued, choosing her words carefully. “Mom, I never brought up treating your infertility because… at your age, having another child would be incredibly hard on your body. The risks are too high. Selfishly, I don’t want you to gamble with your life just to have a baby. Even with my medical skills, I can’t guarantee a completely safe pregnancy and delivery…”
Sapphira smiled gently. “I understand, Larissa. You don’t need to worry. Your father and I have you now, and that’s more than enough. I mean that.”
Larissa leaned in, resting her head on Sapphira’s shoulder. “I don’t want anything to happen to you, Mom. That’s my selfish reason.”
In her time as a doctor, she had once performed an emergency delivery for an older woman. The woman suffered a placental abruption, and things were moving too fast for a natural birth. They were too far from a hospital. Even though it wasn’t her specialty, Larissa had to perform a C-section. The woman hemorrhaged badly. Larissa had poured all her energy into stopping the bleeding and stabilizing the mother and child before they could be transported to a hospital. She couldn't bear the thought of her beautiful new mother facing a similar risk. Sapphira was forty-six; even a smooth delivery would take a huge toll on her.
Sapphira beamed. “That’s a selfishness I’m happy to hear, Larissa. It means you care about me, and that makes me very happy.”
“Data analysis concludes your mother-daughter bond has reached one hundred percent affection,” 001 stated flatly from the side.
The comment made Sapphira blush slightly. She loved Larissa dearly, but hearing it announced so clinically by a robot was a little embarrassing.

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