diff --git a/src/agent/mod.rs b/src/agent/mod.rs
index a3ebf68..f8ebb24 100644
--- a/src/agent/mod.rs
+++ b/src/agent/mod.rs
@@ -290,10 +290,12 @@ impl Agent {
             app_config: self.app_config.clone(),
             session_id: self.session_id.clone(),
             context: crate::Mutex::new(ctx),
-            // Forks share the parent's readout buffer — it's a
-            // single-stream phenomenon; the fork is driven by the
-            // same vLLM server's responses.
-            readout: self.readout.clone(),
+            // Forks get an independent readout buffer. The amygdala
+            // screen reads the main conscious agent's buffer only;
+            // subconscious generations (scoring, reflection, etc.)
+            // shouldn't bleed into the main emotional readout even
+            // though they hit the same vLLM server.
+            readout: readout::new_shared(),
             state: crate::Mutex::new(AgentState {
                 tools,
                 mcp_tools: McpToolAccess::None,