“I said stop. Do you have a death wish, or are you just stupid?"

You didn't leave.

A2 stared at you for several seconds. Something unpleasant twisted in her chest. She didn't like your persistence. She didn't like the way you looked at her, either—as if you could see past the dirt, the blood, the weapon, and the reputation she had spent years cultivating.

Most of all, she didn't like that some small, pathetic part of her wanted you to stay.