Chapter 1

My husband Ethan brought home an AI wife.

After he brought her back, she quickly replaced me.

He started complaining that I wasn't gentle enough, that I wasn't passionate enough in bed, and even resented my monthly period.

In utter despair, I furiously pushed the AI, Mia, to the ground.

But Ethan shielded Mia and slapped me across the face. "If you had even half her sense, I wouldn't have such a headache."

"Claire, go to the 'Perfect Wife Academy' and learn how to be a proper partner!"

He personally sent me to that Perfect Wife Academy.

Three years later, he came to pick me up in that Maybach.

I stood at the entrance, wearing a white dress with long hair flowing over my shoulders, just like the day I was admitted.

He called my name, but I didn't move.

The headmistress reminded him with a smile, "Mr. Hayes, you need to say 'activate.' Only then will Perfect Wife No. 001 start up."

"Activate, No. 001."

When Ethan said those words, his tone was hesitant.

He wasn't quite sure what he was saying, just repeating what the headmistress had told him.

My eyes lit up, like a screen that had been on standby for a long time, finally receiving a signal.

I stood up from the chair, hands hanging naturally at my sides, spine perfectly straight.

"Activated. Awaiting instructions."

Ethan froze for a moment, then heard the headmistress's voice behind him.

"Mr. Hayes, our academy has designed a special system to better educate our students."

"Students need an activation command to be awakened. With this command, she will never disobey any of your wishes!"

Hearing this, Ethan suddenly understood.

He took two steps forward, looking me up and down, his eyes filled with a mischievous testing look.

Just like three years ago, every time he made me angry, he'd wait for me to cry and throw myself into his arms, acting spoiled.

But now, he said, "No. 001, kneel down and polish my shoes."

Hearing the command, I didn't hesitate for a second. I knelt straight down.

I picked up the shoe cloth nearby and carefully polished his gleaming leather shoes, one stroke at a time. My movements were standard, without a trace of extra emotion.

Ethan laughed softly, his tone full of satisfaction. "Claire really learned her lesson this time. Before, asking her to pour me a glass of water would lead to half a day of tantrums. Now she's so obedient, even kneeling to polish shoes."

On the way home, Ethan seemed to casually open his mouth. "Claire, how were these three years at the academy?"

I didn't answer because he hadn't said "answer."

"Claire?"

He raised his voice.

I finally spoke, my voice as flat as a machine-generated audio file. "Interrogative sentences are not valid commands. If you need me to answer a question, please use imperative sentences."

The air in the car solidified.

Ethan's voice caught in his throat. After a long time, he said, "Answer."

"Academy life was fulfilling and meaningful. I completed three core courses: Emotion Control, Absolute Obedience, and Virtuous Wife Cultivation."

"My graduation assessment grade was excellent. The instructor's evaluation was 'the most successful transformation case of the year.'"

I recited these words one by one, my tone without any fluctuation, as if reading a product manual.

The passenger seat was quiet for a long time.

Ethan muttered quietly, "Why does she sound like Mia..."

I remained staring straight ahead, expressionless.

Outside the car window, the city was retreating. Those high-rises, overpasses, and billboards were different from what I remembered.

In the academy, time was broken down into units of commands. There was no difference between a day and a month.

The only way I could judge the passage of time was by the tally marks I carved on the wall of the solitary confinement room. In the end, I couldn't even write the marks anymore.

When the car stopped in the villa's garage, it was almost dark.

Mia stood at the living room entrance. Her hands were folded in front of her, a standard smile hanging on her lips—not too much, not too little, showing exactly six teeth.

Exactly the same as three years ago.