All Chapters of The Day My Mother Opened Me Up: Chapter 1 - Chapter 8

8 Chapters

Chapter 1

My body was found in an abandoned building.One of the construction workers threw up so hard he could barely dial 911.When Mom and Dad rushed over straight from Leo Hawkin's celebration party, a criminalistics expert frowned as he gestured for them to put on their masks.Dad was one of the top criminal investigators the city ever hired from outside the force, while Mom was the best forensic pathologist in Jarrowood.Despite the countless crime scenes they'd seen, they both froze when they saw the body.It was the peak of summer, and the heat made everything worse. The body was bloated, and the face was crushed beyond recognition.Bruises and injuries covered the body, and there was barely anything left of the head but the torn skin clinging to the neck.The pungent smell of decay hit them in waves.Mom closed her eyes and took a deep breath before putting on her gloves and getting to work. She looked down at what was left of me, and pity filled her eyes.She'd never looked at

Chapter 2

At the case briefing, the officers present had grave expressions after Mom finished her autopsy report.My body was too mangled for a facial ID. That abandoned building was a dumping ground and not the murder scene, which meant the investigation would be twice as tough.Dad gave orders to the officers under him and sent them door to door near the building. "Run another autopsy and see if anything new turns up. Get the DNA samples to the lab as fast as you can."He tossed that over his shoulder to Mom before heading out with his team. They seemed to care more about the body than they ever did about me.Once, Mom stroked Leo's hair and told him how being a forensic pathologist was a noble job that spoke up for the dead. I watched Leo nod obediently, but the second she turned away, he wiped his hair in disgust.I slapped him for that, but ended up getting punished by Dad by having my head shaved bald.Now, Mom ran her hand gently over what was left of my hair in grief. "Such a bru

Chapter 3

After gently telling Leo to get some rest, Mom picked up another call from Maeve.She anxiously asked before Maeve could say a word, "When are you done with that work trip, Maeve? Your brother's waiting for you to watch his game." When I first came home, Mom and Dad had been too busy comforting the sobbing Leo. It was Maeve who'd taken my hand and led me into the house, telling me not to be scared.She was the only warmth I'd ever known in that house.On the other end of the line, Maeve paused before asking in surprise, "Is it Bas's math competition? I thought it's next month…"Mom angrily cut her off. "Not Bastian! It's Leo, the brother you grew up with!"How many times do I have to tell you that Bastian came back from who knows where and is full of bad habits? He's not worthy of being a Hawkin!"Maeve sighed softly as if she couldn't understand Mom's hostility. "You shouldn't always believe what Leo says, Mom. Bas is a good kid, and you'd see that if you'd just look closer.

Chapter 4

Mom handed the scrap of stomach-acid-dissolved paper to the criminalistics expert.He stretched his aching back and muttered helplessly to Dad, "Let's hope this gives us something. Did you remind Leo to keep the doors locked?"Dad nodded gravely. Then, he hesitated before saying, "Honey, what if something did happen to Bastian? He's not answering his phone and not even replying to Maeve's texts. Maybe I should have someone look—"Mom annoyedly cut him off. "Oh, come on, you know him. He's probably hiding somewhere out there and waiting for us to find him. It's not his first time pulling this stunt."He probably just doesn't want to watch Leo's game. Just you wait; by tomorrow night, he'll come crying to us for forgiveness."My last disappearance happened during summer break, when Leo had locked me in a bathroom stall at school. The whole building had been empty for the holidays, and no one had been around to hear me shout.I'd crawled out filthy with all my might and limped home

Chapter 5

Mom must have felt it coming because she gripped Dad's arm so tight her nails dug into his skin."The victim is your son, Bastian Gray."She almost sank to the ground and murmured in disbelief, "Bastian? It can't be him…"Dad caught her just before she collapsed and held her upright.One of the officers stepped closer and announced in a low voice, "Garrett, we found the primary crime scene. It's a run-down house near that abandoned building."Dad immediately barked an order. "Everyone, move to the crime scene! The forensic biology unit must have messed up the DNA."In the squad car, Mom kept dialing my number while Dad stared at the road ahead and murmured words of reassurance. "Don't worry. This must be Bastian playing games. He's probably at the station and working with the lab guys to make fools of us."But they both knew that there was no way to fabricate tests from the lab. I could barely describe how I felt; it was suffocating, as if a venomous snake coiled tightly aro

Chapter 6

The criminalistics expert had tears in his eyes as he gently said, "Garrett… Kamille… You should both head back to the station. We'll call you as soon as we have anything new."But Mom didn't seem to hear him. Still wearing her gloves, she ran her fingers lightly over the bloodstained floor. "How much pain must Bas have been in?" she whispered.A few sentimental officers turned away and started sobbing while Mom and Dad got into the car, looking completely distraught.Seeing how dazed and hollow they looked, I felt something tighten and twist inside me. I'd never heard them call me by the name "Bas" from the day they found me to the day I died.When Levi Hale from the forensic lab handed Dad the final report, he glanced in pity at Mom, who looked lost and dazed."I'm sorry for your loss, Garrett."Dad's eyes snapped wide as he snatched the file and scrutinized the pages again. After confirming the name printed on the sheet for a long time, he hissed through clenched teeth, "Thi

Chapter 7

When Maeve found out I was dead, she dropped her unfinished work trip and rushed home. She stepped through the door to find Mom and Dad sitting on the couch with solemn expressions and eyes hollow with grief.Off to the side, Leo had a tear-stricken face and bloodshot eyes."Thank goodness you're back, Maeve. Bastian was murdered!"The murderer's still out there, and given the number of people he's crossed, who knows if this is his payback…"Dad's thunderous but hoarse shout cut through. "Enough! The murderer was identified, and the cops are out there to hunt him down. Bastian never crossed him."He exchanged a glance with Mom as pain surfaced in their eyes.When they found out the man who killed me did it to get back at them for arresting his brother years ago, Mom and Dad both collapsed under the weight of the news. Their unfavored son had died because of them.A trace of nervousness flickered in Leo's eyes as he dug his fingers into the hem of his shirt. Drops of sweat bead

Chapter 8

When Leo spotted Mom, Dad, and Maeve seated in the stands, the corners of his lips curled in a smug smile.He knew that with me gone, he was the most loved kid in the family again.At halftime, he draped himself playfully over Dad's arm. "Mom, Dad, Maeve… I'm so glad you're all here for me."On the podium, he beamed as he raised his trophy high. When interviewed by the reporters, he sweetly said, "I wouldn't be here without my family. All I want is to make my parents proud and always be my sister's favorite little brother!"Seeing the pride in his eyes disgusted me, as I knew that every bit of his happiness was built on my suffering. He'd pushed me off the edge so he could stand here in the spotlight, soaking up the applause and praise.Somewhere in the crowd, I heard whispers. "His brother died some time ago, right? Poor thing… He was so young.""His brother was a no-good dropout, right? I heard he got himself killed out of some kind of love triangle."Leo heard it too. His smi

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