Chapter 1

Five years ago, Foster went bankrupt. Hounded by creditors, he was almost killed. He just said:

“Chloe, please, help me.”

I sold my heart for a million to pay off his debts, agreeing to have an experimental bionic heart implanted.

But later, I found out the bankruptcy was fake. The real reason? To trick me into donating my heart to save his childhood sweetheart, Vivian.

I left without a second thought, coming to this remote town of Maple Creek to be a teacher.

Now, the side effects of that bionic heart are kicking in. I'm growing increasingly emotionally detached, becoming "Ms. Chloe, the robot," as my students call me.

I never imagined Foster would show up again, with a rosy-cheeked Vivian by his side.

Vivian gasped, covering her mouth in feigned surprise,

“Is that… Chloe?”

She sighed dramatically:

“Who would believe the former wife of the wealthiest man would hide in a backwater like this? And dressed so… shabbily.”

Foster looked at my faded clothes, his eyes unreadable.

“You left me over such a small thing, just because I lied to you, and now you’re living like this?”

“Chloe, I told you I’d take care of you forever. You shouldn't hate me.”

Meeting him again, I felt nothing:

“Mr. Foster, thank you for coming to donate to the community school and help the children.”