Alexander’s heart clenched more painfully than his rib. He took a step towards his sister, but she ran off and left him alone. His jaw clenched and so did his fists.
If she will not adhere to my plan then I shall go ahead with it, regardless.
CHAPTER 6
Stage Five: Yearning
Mechanism: Dopamine Withdrawal
Aim: To prove that “missing” someone is a chemical dependency.
Method:
Track emotional state during Subject’s absence.
Compare to withdrawal symptoms from other dopamine-linked activities.
Expected Conclusion: Addiction, not attachment.
Observation, Day Two
The subject initiated contact along the lateral neck and jawline, deliberately avoiding the mouth. The reaction this produced was immediate and disorienting: a sudden acceleration of pulse, a tightening low in the abdomen, and a noticeable disruption of coherent thought. The absence of a kiss appears to have intensified the response rather than diminished it, suggesting that anticipation alone can override rational processing.
The subject’s precision indicates practiced familiarity with eliciting such reactions, which supports the hypothesis that technique, not sentiment, governs these encounters. The resulting loss of composure on my part must therefore be attributed to sensory manipulation rather than emotional significance. Further observation is required to determine whether such responses can be consciously controlled or if they remain inherently involuntary.
Theodora shut her notebook as soon as Evelina sat next to her. Her lips and body tingled from the memories of her encounter with the Scarlet Duke. She shook all thoughts of him away as she and her sister watched the flustered Earl of Bixby fumble over himself and tried not to laugh.
“Theo, I cannot believe you asked him that.” Evelina tried to hold an air of shock, but her sister could see right through it. She was as amused as Theodora was.
Theodora lifted a shoulder in a slight shrug. “I only asked if he thought his mission to find a wife who is like his mother reflectshis own feelings of his mother and if he had wished he could marry her instead.”
Evelina could barely contain her laugh.
“What?” Theodora asked. “It is a common issue. If you had paid attention when we learned about Sophocles, you would remember Oedipus?—”
Evelina held up her hand. “I remember quite well, but that does not mean it is an appropriate topic of conversation on our walk. I think you gave the poor man apoplexy.”
Theodora glanced over to the man who had rejoined his party throwing horrified glances their way. “You cannot give someone apoplexy, Evelina. Although, he did seem rather upset. Perhaps I should apologize for my comments?”
Evelina took her sister’s arm to continue their walk. “I do not think that is wise. He would not do us much damage; most think he is a cranky old curmudgeon. He is not worth our time or your experiment.”
Theodora pursed her lips. “I do not seem to be doing well with my experiment, do I?”
“Perhaps not. He was the third man today that you chased away with your questions.”
Theodora grumbled. “Is it my fault that they cannot hold a conversation or answer simple questions to garner whether or not we have something in common?”
Evelina studied her sister. “So, you asked about Sophocles’ play because you wish to find a man who is as well-read as you or you are hoping to find a husband who nurtures tender feelings for his mama?”
Theodora pursed her lips. “You know I do not wish for the latter. I am just trying to move onto the second stage of my study.”
