i walked past her desk and heard her say, 'make it firm but compassionate.' i assumed she was answering a difficult email. then the chatbot read out a draft about how we had grown into different people and deserved separate futures
i stood in the doorway holding two cups of coffee. she looked at me, looked at the laptop, and said she could explain. i told her she didn't need to because apparently the computer had already written the explanation
she insisted she hadn't decided anything and was only exploring how the conversation might sound. the chatbot began reading an alternative draft titled 'gentler version for sensitive partner.' i had never felt more accurately insulted by a heading
we talked without the laptop that evening. the relationship was over, but at least the actual words were hers. two days later she sent me a very polished goodbye message. i deleted it at the phrase 'i hope this message finds you well'