ving university. You know that Mack Hart c

I knew

lso working with Elizabeth on an IVF project. Something to do with using AI to choose the

al company. He told me about her IVF project the last time I talked to him, a few we

and head the project from there, but she decided not to go. That's w

what? He's her

says. "Sorry, I a

no idea. Wh

mpany-they asked Titus if he'd spearhead the project instead. They want him to move there for two years, but o

the funding

five hundred milli

nd you, I think he's a billionaire.

Hux-a lot of their money is tied up in stocks and shares. Besides which

s trip, I gue

tand why he wants to

ht be the only person

ustry. Have you heard ofAtamai Tuatahi?" When we shake our heads, she continues, "It's the Aotearoa AI Sum

t to it

eynote speake

w I'm im

in Melbourne, another one in Toronto, and the AI

at Hux's twenty-first

a long time ago, though, befo

d over Mack's grandmother's wine glass, then fell asleep and snored for the rest of the night. They left

unds like he n

ays. "Twelve to fourteen-ho

iously. "I remember him being

us," Evie says with a smile

or the Auckland Bl

t he said no because he thought it

anywhere near his league. He could have won if he'd had a better partner, but

as nice

g. It takes a bit of doing. He's quiet and sorta brooding.

akes m

"I think he's just preoccupied, you know? H

rrects. "Now he's met Sidnie, h

g him away from Marise?" I know that Ma

do," Chrissie states. "From what I've hea

So is Tit

lled Maisey, but Hux said that Titus told him she talked

en liked dirty ta

d to list what she need

so bad if it's whipped cream," I comment. "

uckle. "You sound more Briti

ie asks. She says the same thing

ing forward to com

dore the picturesque village I live in. There are a lot more people in the UK-sixty-seven million compared to New Zealand's five million, and the countries are a simi

n the Bay of Islands, which was constructed in 1821. In the UK there are prehistoric, Roman, Saxon, Viking, and Medieval bui

be pleased to se

ng forward to s

feeling," Chri

the bottom of my keyb

ng to see Da

, and to see my mother and sisters and the friends I lef

know they don't fully understand why I feel the way I d

nge the sub

but Evie says, "Okay, ho

there. "Gran's taken up pottery making. I've got odd-shaped bowls all over the hous

to everyone in New Ze

e was very

ight to New Zea

esday. Third

anything plann

ing to be busy, so I'm taking it easy. Reading, some sightseeing, and

throat. "And... what

message yet?" Her attempt to make light of my

hink I'm weak and helpless and easily controlled. I'm not as small as Oliver's fiancée, who's tiny. I'm five-foot-five. But I am slender and have a girlish figure, and

g on it," I

, and I know they don't believe me. I can f

n to the poli

will, if it

ct that helpli

y, although

. "I wish you'd d

gue out at he

t," she tells me. "These thing

ls with problems like this on a daily basis in her job. I

lse the messages, they'd look innocuous-he chats about his day, talks about movies and music he thinks I'd like, sends me funny memes and jokes, and occasionally asks me out. Wha

say cheerfully. "Wh

bit about the school inspection she's preparing for. We talk until my timer goes o

en, then glance at my phone as it buzzes again. This ti

t to go to the cinema

with:No t

y:Come on. I know you wa

I suppose I could block him, but it feels like a massive overreaction

nto the sunshine with a book. I'm not going to think about

n my book and