A Lonely Death

Patrick remembered this all along!Before he could finish speaking, Mom cut him off furiously."Pat, don't say another word. I know you're trying to smooth things over between me and Aubree, trying to get me to care about her again. But every time I think about her, all I can see is Daniel's death. I will never forgive Aubree for as long as I live. She is the one who killed Daniel."A sharp pain stabbed through my chest, so intense that even my soul trembled.All these years had passed, and Mom still couldn't forgive me.I was the one who killed Dad.I deserved to die a thousand times over.Years ago, my aunt and uncle died in an accident, leaving my cousin Freya an orphan.Dad felt sorry for her. She was alone in the world, so he took her in.But Freya and I never got along. We were always arguing over the smallest thing.Three years ago, on a rainy night, we had a huge fight. Furious, Freya ran out of the house.Dad drove out to look for her.On the way, he got into an ac

On the screen, my face was completely covered by a wide-brimmed hat and a mask. The oversized black trench coat concealed my body shape entirely.Patrick only recognized me because he had known me for years. Just one glance at my silhouette, and he was certain.Mom barely spared the screen a glance before scoffing dismissively."Enough, Patrick. If you're trying to use this to make me care about Aubree, then you're an embarrassment to that uniform you're wearing. If that jinx Aubree really is dead, make sure to let me know right away. I'll cook up a feast to celebrate."Ignoring Patrick's darkened expression, Mom grabbed her bag and walked out.The moment she stepped outside the station, she was blocked by Grandma, who had been waiting at the entrance.Before Grandma could say anything, Mom snapped at her viciously. "I already told you. Stop playing these childish games with Aubree! If she really wants to die, she should just jump off a building instead of bothering me!"Grandma's eyes

That was my most cherished possession. It was a small gift from Mom.When the kidnappers forced me to call her for help, I had been clutching that little puppy keychain in my hand."Grace, do you recognize these things? If I remember correctly, you bought this puppy keychain for Aubree, didn't you?" Patrick's tone was firm, but Mom remained cold and indifferent."These trinkets are everywhere in accessory shops. Who's to say it's Aubree's? I don't recognize these clothes either. You've got the wrong person."Patrick was momentarily at a loss. "Grace, I never expected you to be so heartless toward Aubree."Mom hadn't cared about me for years. She didn't know how tall I was now, how much I weighed, or even what size shoes I wore.Of course, she wouldn't recognize my clothes.Patrick had no choice but to let her step out and rest for now.As soon as Mom exited the evidence room, she spotted Freya walking toward them. Her icy, indifferent face instantly shifted to one of distress.

The suspect got off the motorcycle in Glensby.When Patrick and his team learned that Glensby was the suspect's last known location, their faces darkened. Not only was it on the outskirts of town, but it was also home to the city's largest landfill.If the suspect really buried the head there, the chances of ever finding it were close to zero.Patrick's face was grim as he gave the order, "We're leaving now."…After a thorough investigation, the police uncovered a crucial lead.A butcher in Glensby, Albert Heath, was a prime suspect in the case.As soon as they got the lead, Patrick immediately took his team to Albert's house.The moment they kicked open the door of the Heath residence, a rancid stench hit them in the face.Inside the filthy, chaotic room, Albert was still snoring away on a moldy wooden bed.Hearing the commotion, he groggily opened his eyes. "Who the hell are you? Do you have a death wish, waking me up like this?"The moment I heard that all-too-familiar v

Freya despised Albert for threatening her, but she hated me even more. She wanted both of us gone.She tricked me into going to the motel using Mom's name.I knew it might be a trap, but I still went for it. I couldn't let go of even the smallest chance that Mom might have changed her mind.I was pathetically begging for a love that I could never have.Three years in prison had completely twisted Albert's mind.At first, all he wanted was to scam some money and enjoy himself.However, after capturing me, he got addicted to the thrill of tormenting me. Even during police interrogations, he could still laugh."To me, killing her was no different than slaughtering a screaming pig."By now, the case was almost entirely clear.No one had expected Freya to be so vicious to the extent of going to such cruel lengths to destroy the people she despised.…When Mom walked out of the interrogation room, she ran right into Freya being brought in.At that moment, Freya still didn't know