Alex stood by the floor-to-ceiling window of the laboratory, holding a coffee cup in her hand, gazing at the city skyline. The morning sunlight gilded the skyscrapers with a golden radiance, making everything look so beautiful and full of hope. Over the past few weeks, the Neural Bridge had not only transformed her marriage but also caused MindLink Corporation's stock price to steadily climb. Investors were scrambling to join, media praise was constant, and everything was moving in the right direction.

Until her assistant knocked on the door, interrupting this perfect moment.


"Alex, you should see this," the assistant handed her a tablet, its screen playing a news video.

In the footage, an elegant black-haired woman was being interviewed. She wore a simple navy blue suit, her expression serious and determined. The caption at the bottom of the screen read: "Dr. Chloe Ward, Neuroethicist, Author of 'The Boundaries of Mind'."

"Neural Bridge Technology represents the most dangerous invasion of human thought," Chloe said during the interview, her voice calm yet forceful, "We are opening a door that should not be opened. The human brain has evolved over millions of years, forming complex protective mechanisms, including the privacy of thought. When we break these natural boundaries, the consequences could be catastrophic."


The reporter asked: "Dr. Ward, you've just returned from Europe specifically to attend next week's neuroethics summit. What specific concerns do you have about MindLink Corporation?"

"I'm worried not just about the technology itself, but how it's being promoted," Chloe replied, "Describing the Neural Bridge as a tool to 'end loneliness' is dangerously misleading. Loneliness isn't a problem that needs to be 'ended,' but a fundamental part of human experience. Furthermore, we know very little about the long-term effects. Memory contamination, identity fusion, privacy violations—these are real risks that the company downplays."


Alex turned off the video and took a deep breath. "When did she come back?"

"Yesterday," the assistant answered, "This interview was broadcast this morning and has already sparked widespread discussion on social media. The PR department suggests you respond as soon as possible."

Alex nodded, but her thoughts had already drifted elsewhere. Chloe Ward—a name she had heard many times, a highly respected neuroethicist and one of the most outspoken critics of the Neural Bridge. But Alex had never met her, only knowing that she had worked in Europe for several years.

"Arrange a statement," Alex said to her assistant, "Emphasize our safety protocols and ethical review process. Remind the public that I myself am a test subject, which proves my confidence in the technology."

After the assistant left, Alex took out her phone, wanting to send Marcus a message to share this news. But as she was typing, a strong wave of emotions suddenly came through the Neural Bridge—surprise, fear, and...guilt? These emotions were so intense that they broke through the limitations of the low-level connection.

Alex frowned. Had Marcus seen the news too? Why was his reaction so strong?

She called Marcus, but it went to voicemail. Alex felt a hint of unease and decided to go home early.

---

When Alex arrived home, she found Marcus sitting in the living room, with the TV in front of him showing Chloe's interview. He looked unusually tense, his fingers constantly tapping on the sofa armrest.

"You saw it too," Alex said, putting down her bag and sitting beside him.

Marcus nodded, but didn't look her in the eyes. "She raised some points worth thinking about."

"Maybe, but she clearly hasn't experienced the Neural Bridge firsthand," Alex said, "theoretical concerns and actual experience are different."

Marcus finally turned to her, his expression complicated. "Alex, there's something I need to tell you."

Alex felt her heart rate accelerate. "What is it?"

"I know Chloe Ward," Marcus said slowly, "in fact, we were once... very close."

Alex blinked, trying to understand his words. "You mean... she's your ex-girlfriend?"

Marcus nodded, his expression pained. "We met at architecture school. She was pursuing a double degree in neuroscience and philosophy at the time, and we dated for two years."

Alex felt a wave of dizziness, not just because of this unexpected information, but because Marcus had never mentioned this relationship. "Two years? Such an important relationship, and you never told me about it?"

"We broke up... not so well," Marcus explained, "afterward she went to Europe, and we never contacted each other again. Honestly, I thought I would never see her again in this lifetime."

Alex stood up and paced back and forth in the room. Through the Neural Bridge, she could feel Marcus's uneasiness and guilt, but there was more—a complex mixture of emotions that she couldn't fully interpret.

"So neural ethicist Chloe Ward, my company's most outspoken critic, happens to be your ex-girlfriend, and you never thought it necessary to mention this?" Alex's voice was sharper than she had expected.

Marcus rubbed his temples. "I didn't know she would become a neural ethicist, let alone return to oppose the Neural Bridge. When we were together, she was passionate about neuroscience, but more focused on basic research."

Alex took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. "Okay, this is... unexpected. But this is in the past, right?"

Marcus nodded, but Alex noticed he avoided her gaze. Through the Neural Bridge, she sensed an emotion she couldn't exactly name—some mixture of nostalgia and regret?

"Did she contact you?" Alex suddenly asked.

Marcus's silence answered her question.

"When?" Alex pressed.

"Yesterday," Marcus admitted, "She sent a text saying she's back in town and wants to talk about the Neural Bridge."

Alex felt a stinging sense of betrayal. "Did you reply?"

"No," Marcus said, but his hesitation made Alex doubt whether that was the whole truth.

She walked to the window, turning her back to Marcus, trying to sort out her thoughts. Through the Neural Bridge, she could feel Marcus's anxiety and guilt, but there was something deeper, something deliberately suppressed.

"I need to know, Marcus," Alex finally said, turning to face him, "do you still have feelings for her?"

"What? No, of course not," Marcus immediately answered, "that was a long time ago, Alex. You're the one I love."

Alex wanted to believe him, but the mixed emotions coming through the Neural Bridge made her uneasy. She couldn't determine if these emotions were directed at Chloe, or just discomfort about being forced to acknowledge the past.

"We should increase our connection level," Alex suddenly said, "enter the emotional sharing phase. That way we can completely understand each other's feelings."

Marcus's expression grew wary. "Now? Didn't we agree to start that phase next week?"

"Things have changed," Alex insisted, "if Chloe is going to be part of our lives, even just as an acknowledged rival, I need to know how you truly feel about it."

Marcus stood up and walked toward the kitchen. "I need some water."

Alex followed him, watching him pour water and drink it, obviously stalling for time. "What are you afraid of, Marcus?"

"I'm not afraid," he said, but his voice lacked conviction, "I just think we should stick to the original plan and not rush into things."

Alex leaned against the kitchen island, observing him. "You know, even without a higher level connection, I can feel that you're hiding something."

Marcus put down his glass and sighed. "Alright, there's something I didn't tell you. Chloe did contact me, and... I agreed to meet her."

Alex felt a pang. "When?"

"Tomorrow, at the university library. She said she has important information about the Neural Bridge to share."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

Marcus shook his head. "I didn't want to worry or upset you. It's just a professional meeting, Alex. She's an expert in this field, and maybe her concerns are valid."

Alex crossed her arms. "Then I'll go with you."

"She specifically requested to meet alone," Marcus said, "She said she couldn't freely express her concerns if you were present."

Alex laughed, but there was no humor in it. "Of course, she would say that."

Marcus moved closer to her, placing his hand on her shoulder. "Alex, it's just a conversation. I love you, and I support the Neural Bridge. But as a responsible person, I should also listen to different perspectives, especially from experts in the field."

Alex wanted to believe him, but she couldn't ignore the complex emotions coming through the Neural Bridge. Marcus was telling the truth, but not the whole truth. Something was being hidden, suppressed.

In that moment, Alex noticed a small but crucial detail: Marcus's Neural Bridge Controller was turned to the lowest setting, almost off. He was limiting their connection, preventing her from feeling all of his emotions.

This discovery pierced her heart like an ice-cold knife.

"You're blocking me," she said softly, pointing to the controller on the back of his neck, "you've turned down the connection strength."

Marcus instinctively touched the controller, his expression becoming defensive. "I just... need some space to process this situation. It doesn't mean anything, Alex."

But to Alex, it meant everything. The Neural Bridge was supposed to be a tool of honesty and transparency, yet Marcus was using it to hide the truth.

"Go see her," Alex finally said, her voice calm but cold, "but when you come back, we need to talk about the true purpose of the Neural Bridge, and what trust means in our relationship."

Marcus nodded, but his eyes were filled with complex emotions that Alex couldn't fully understand. In that moment, despite the Neural Bridge physically connecting them, Alex had never felt so distant.

She turned away from the kitchen, feeling a terrible premonition. The Neural Bridge was supposed to end the loneliness between them, but at this moment, it seemed to only reveal a deeper chasm, one that might be impossible to cross.