The Price of Betrayal,A Heart Turned to Stone

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 youre living like this?

Chloe, I told you Id 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.

Foster's eyes held a frustration I couldn't decipher.

Chloe, enough! I know you still blame me, but you have to come back with me. Ill make it up to you.

My gaze was completely calm.

You ripped out my heart for another woman, then put this defective piece of machinery in me. Now you talk about making it up to me?

Vivian immediately stepped forward, linking her arm through Fosters, her voice sweet but sharp.

This bionic heart is the result of my medical professors research. It was rigorously tested during clinical trials. There are absolutely no side effects.

Fosters gaze on Vivian remained soft. He turned to me, sighing.

Chloe, as long as you don't take it out on Vivian, you can be Fosters wife again.

I gently shook my head.

I stopped caring a long time ago. All I want now is to stay in Maple Creek.

Foster froze, his eyes dark and unreadable.

Vivian caught Fosters hesitation, a flicker of displeasure in her eyes, though her face twisted into a wronged expression.

She clutched Fosters arm, her eyes watery as she looked at me.

Chloe, I know you still resent me for using your heart, dont you? Ive felt so guilty all these years. What if what if I just give you your heart back?!

Fosters face darkened. He quickly pulled Vivian behind him, his eyes filled with wary defensiveness as he looked at me:

Vivian is allergic to metal; a bionic heart would kill her. You wouldn't want anything to happen to her, would you?

What happened back then was my fault. If you want to hate anyone, hate me. Dont target her.

I stood my ground, my fingers curling, feeling the bionic heart beat a little erratically.

I turned to leave, but Vivian, still sniffling, blocked my path.

But you clearly resent me for taking your heart.

Her voice was choked with tears.

Foster, lets go. Since Ms. Chloe doesnt welcome us, we wont bother her any longer. The school theres no need to donate anymore.

The students peering from the windows instantly panicked, quietly calling out,

Ms. Chloe, dont let them leave.

Seeing their wide, hopeful eyes, I knew I couldnt betray their expectations.

I silently turned, pulling out a stack of yellowed, well-worn letters from a drawer.

These were the revised new school applications Id written over and over for five years, along with the signed donation agreement.

I handed them to Vivian.

Ms. Vivian, the students have been waiting for this school for a very long time. I hope you wont withdraw your donation because of personal feelings.

A glint of ruthlessness flashed in Vivians eyes.

Foster, shes using the children to emotionally manipulate me! We came here to donate, not to be disrespected!

The next second, she snatched the donation agreement, poised to tear it apart.

2.

Seeing this, I quickly stepped forward to stop her.

You cant tear it.

Vivian paused, raising an eyebrow at me mockingly.

Oh? So youre anxious now? Why dont you beg me?

I didn't hesitate.

Fine, I beg you.

She didnt know how many times I had practiced that pleading tone.

As Vivians hand lifted again, I knelt, the cold concrete digging painfully into my knees.

Please.

All that so-called dignity and shame had long vanished, along with the heart Id sold.

Fosters pupils constricted. He reached out to stop me, pulling me up forcefully, his voice low.

Chloe! What are you doing?!

He remembered the old me, too proud to ever easily bow her head. Now, she was kneeling for a donation agreement.

A look of unbearable pity crossed his face. He turned to Vivian, his voice firm.

Give me the donation agreement. I won't withdraw the donation for this community school.

Vivian saw Foster protecting me, and jealousy flared in her eyes.

She pouted.

Fine, its not like I said I wouldnt donate.

As she spoke, her hand suddenly relaxed, and the paper, caught by a gentle breeze, drifted into the nearby river ditch.

Without a moments hesitation, I turned and jumped into the icy water. Fosters face twisted in panic.

Vivian clung to Fosters arm, her voice soft.

My hand just slipped. Its okay, Foster. Chloe knows how to swim; shell be right up.

But the water was bone-chilling. My bionic heart suddenly emitted a piercing hum, instantly malfunctioning. A suffocating sensation overwhelmed me.

Foster waited for a moment, and when I didn't surface, he began to take off his coat, preparing to jump in.

Its too dangerous!

Vivian desperately pulled him back.

Youre a CEO, how can you take such a risk?!

Fosters movements faltered. Reason returned, but looking at the calm surface of the water, his heart clenched.

Just as he hesitated, I suddenly burst out of the water, clutching the drenched agreement tightly in my hand, my voice weak.

I found it.

Vivian scoffed.

You can clearly swim, so why didnt you come out earlier? I bet you just wanted to get Fosters attention!

Fosters anger instantly ignited. He said coldly:

Chloe, purposefully delaying in the water, just to make me worry?

I was drenched and had no energy to respond.

Struggling out of the river ditch, they finally saw that I was only wearing a thin single layer in the dead of winter.

Fosters Adams apple bobbed. He was angry and heartbroken.

Chloe, you left me just to live this hard life? Wouldnt it be better to come back with me and be Fosters wife again?

He took off his cashmere coat, reaching out to drape it over my shoulders.

But I turned away, coldly rejecting his approach.

Fosters eyes darkened.

At that moment, the students rushed over, putting their not-so-warm jackets on me, their small faces filled with worry.

Ms. Chloe, are you okay? We dont want a new school if they dont really want to donate.

Vivians face instantly changed. She stepped forward, scolding sharply:

What are you little brats talking about? Why are you all gathered here? Get back to class!

The children were intimidated by her aggressive tone, timidly backing away, but still watching me, their eyes full of concern.

The biting cold prevented the bionic heart from restarting. Intense pain instantly filled my chest, and a suffocating sensation drowned me like a tide.

I bent over, my voice breaking.

Go to my room get my medicine.

A student turned and ran off.

Foster frowned, staring at me, his tone full of suspicion.

Chloe, are you really playing sick to avoid coming back with me? Is this some kind of game?

Vivian stood by, faking a check of my pupils and pulse.

Foster, Im a medical doctor. I can responsibly tell you, shes fine. I know all the specs of that bionic heart; these symptoms simply dont occur. Shes faking it.

But the excruciating pain made me curl up on the ground, my skin flushing an unnatural red. Every breath was a tearing agony.

I bit down hard on my lip, tasting blood.

Though I had long been prepared for my bionic heart to fail, ready to leave this world at any moment.

But not now

I still needed to see the new school built, to see these children find their way out of this mountain town.

As my breathing grew weaker, Foster finally panicked. He was about to step forward when Vivian blocked him.

Im a doctor, let me handle this.

She rummaged through her bag, pulled out a white pill, and put it in my mouth.

After a while, the intense pain throughout my body actually gradually subsided, and my breathing became smoother.

Foster sighed in relief, looking at Vivian with profound gratitude.

Thank goodness for you, Vivian.

I lay on the ground, gazing at the gray sky, feeling my bionic heart resume its beating.

Principal Miller rushed over. Seeing my state, he quickly helped me up.

Ms. Chloe, please go rest in your room. Change your clothes. The donation ceremony is in three hours.

Back in my dilapidated dorm, with its peeling walls and sparse furnishings.

Back then, before the side effects fully manifested, I often cried myself to sleep, my heart feeling like a piece had been brutally ripped out.

But later, the bionic hearts side effects completely took over, stripping away all my emotions.

Love and hate became blurred concepts, leaving only indifference.

A wave of exhaustion washed over me, and I collapsed onto the bed, quickly falling asleep.

Three hours later, Fosters knocking woke me up.

I opened the door. He frowned, urging me,

The donation ceremony is about to begin. As a teacher, how can you be absent?

Before he finished speaking, his gaze fell on the dilapidated, simple room. His pupils constricted, and a complex wave of emotion flooded his face.

At the community school donation ceremony, Foster and Vivian stood side by side on stage. Principal Miller couldnt help but praise them.

You two are truly a perfect match, and so generous! A couple made in heaven!

Fosters brow furrowed. He explained in a low voice:

We are not married.

Vivian, however, tightened her grip on his arm, her smile gentle.

Foster, were getting married next year. Whats the difference?

Foster didnt respond, remaining silent.

During the donation segment, Principal Miller held the microphone, excitedly saying:

Thank you, Mr. Foster and Ms. Vivian, for your generous donation of one hundred million dollars. The children of Maple Creek will forever remember your kindness.

When it was time for the flower presentation, I walked onto the stage holding a bouquet.

They were the esteemed donors, the center of attention. I was just a teacher tasked with presenting flowers, like an inconspicuous usher.

As I reached the front of the stage, my bionic heart suddenly throbbed violently. My legs buckled, unable to support me.

I stumbled straight forward, colliding directly with Vivian.