The display remained dark.
Silas's hand remained beneath my shirt.
Neither of us moved.
"There is another model," I said.
His fingers became still against my back.
Not surprise.
Confirmation.
"There is."
"The strategic assessment was generated from something larger."
"It was."
"Show me."
Silas withdrew his hand.
The loss of contact felt deliberate.
"Ivy."
"That is my name."
"What you are asking to see was not built to describe you."
"It assigns value to my grief, my marriage, my public response, and my relationship with you."
"It describes the environment around you."
"Using me as the central variable."
Silas held my gaze.
"You are the central variable."
"Show me."
He replaced his glasses.
The gesture returned the architect to the room.
The display activated.
At fi
