White Bone Case

Ever since I was young, I knew that my parents' work was unique. My father was a detective who had solved many major cases, while my mother was a forensic artist who was capable of finding clues from the victim's bones.

Together, they solved numerous cases. Their most famous one was the White Bone Case five years ago. It was a case about a criminal gang who abducted and killed homeless people before using their bones to smuggle drugs.

Since these were real human bones, they could easily avoid being caught by claiming these bones as medical materials.

Under my father's leadership, the gang's hideouts were uncovered one by one. The criminals kidnapped me for the sake of revenge. At that moment, my father snuck into their base and rescued me, as well as another girl who was also held captive.

During our escape, the girl accidentally exposed our location, leading the gang to catch up with us. Sure enough, my father was brutally murdered and dismembered, while I was thrown off a cliff, breaking both legs and becoming permanently disabled.

However, when I woke up from my coma, all I saw was the hatred in my mother's eyes.

"Ariana, why did you kill your father?"

Only then did I know that the girl my father rescued had lied, claiming that I was the one who caused a commotion and led the criminals to discover us, which resulted in my father's death.

"It's my fault; I didn't know Ariana was afraid of caterpillars. If I had stopped her sooner, Mr. Jeff wouldn't have died."

I was in utter disbelief at what I was hearing, but I still tried to defend myself, "It was you who made a noise and alerted them."

Alas, my mother slapped me across the face, knocking me to the ground.

"How dare you still lie, Ariana? Everyone said that it was you who exposed your father's location. How can you be so vicious?"

When I saw the evidence my mother threw in my face, I knelt on the ground and pleaded desperately. "It wasn't them. They're not the ones who killed Dad. Mom, I didn't do it. It wasn't just these people."

Unfortunately, no one believed me. Whether it was the evidence or the criminals' testimonies, including Angelina's accusations, it all stated that everyone who was involved in the White Bone Case had already been arrested.

Moreover, the doctors even concluded that I had created a nonexistent person to avoid facing reality when I hit my head during the fall. In the end, I was claimed to be my father's killer. My mother didn't even allow me to attend his funeral.

Ever since then, I became obsessed with trying to find evidence and questioning Angelina about why she lied. Sadly, my mother would always appear just in time. Then, she would accuse me of bullying Angelina.

On the day of my father's funeral, Mom took Angelina to finalize her adoption paperwork and threw all my belongings out of the house.

"Ariana, I don't have a daughter who is a murderer. From now on, don't disturb our lives."

I begged my mother to give me more time to prove my innocence, to prove that the real murderer who killed my father was still out there. Most importantly, it was to prove that Angelina wasn't as simple as she seemed.

However, it was futile. I was soon sent to the apartment my father had lived in before.

My mother ignored me entirely for five years, raging at the mere mention of my name. I paid for my own tuition and living expenses by working online. Even still, I kept investigating the truth.

Just as I was about to uncover the truth, the killer kidnapped me. At that moment, I called my mother for help, but she was busy celebrating Angelina's birthday.

"It's Angelina's birthday. Just die if you're so eager for attention."

Her remark seemed to inspire the killer as he carved wounds into my body, tortured me, fed my flesh to dogs, and shattered my bones bit by bit before scattering them in various places.

As he discarded my final bone, I heard him say in satisfaction, "I guess I fulfill her mother's wish perfectly."

I lingered in silence by the filthy ditch, waiting for the day when my mother would remember me and wonder where I had gone.

Alas, I didn't get to see her. Instead, an old woman found me.

In the end, I was still killed by that remaining killer who was still out there.

I'm Missing

After the tense conversation with Mark, my mother had a dark expression. However, when she opened the door and saw Angelina, she immediately smiled.

"Angelina, I brought you your favorite mango cake," she said.

Angelina put down her pen and took my mother's hand. "Mom, you're so good to me."

My mother feigned a stern look as she playfully tapped her nose. "You're my daughter. It's only normal I'll treat you nice."

Angelina looked hesitant upon hearing her answer. Then, she asked cautiously, "What about Ariana?"

My mother's sour mood returned at the mention of my name. She set her bag down and said in annoyance, "Did she bother you again? I told you many times that I will not acknowledge a killer as my daughter. If she does call you next time, just block her."

When Angelina heard my mother's words, a glint of satisfaction flashed across her eyes. Then, she leaned closer to my mother and said, "Calm down, Mom. If you don't like it, I won't answer her calls ever again."

Just then, my mother's phone rang. When she answered the call, my teacher's voice sounded.

"Hello, is this Ariana's mother? We haven't been able to contact Ariana. We were hoping she could attend a school event as this year's top scorer to share her experience."

When Angelina heard the conversation, she looked disappointed.

My mother immediately became infuriated upon noticing Angelina's reaction. "I only have one daughter, and her name is Angelina. Tell Ariana that her academic achievements mean nothing.

It doesn't matter how high her grades are, as a murderer, she will always be a disgrace to society! It's cruel of her to use her grades to upset Angelina."

Strangely, I still felt a painful ache in my heart even though I was already dead.

My mother knew that my biggest dream was to become someone who fought for justice like my father. Yet, she constantly belittled me, calling me selfish and cruel.

On the other hand, the teacher was also taken aback by my mother's reaction. Then, she replied hastily, "It's just that we haven't been able to contact Ariana for over a month. She's always been obedient and wouldn't wander off on her own.

Given the recent murder case, I thought I should just check in with you to see whether Ariana was safe, especially since she lives alone and has limited mobility, which would make her a target."

Nevertheless, my mother cut her off and growled impatiently, "What could possibly happen to her? She even had the time to harass Angelina. I'd suggest you all stay away from her. I don't know why you guys keep protecting a murderer?"

With that, she hung up the phone. Worried that Angelina might be upset, she hugged her and said, "You don't need to care about what others say, Angelina. You're my daughter, and all I want is for you to be happy. As for the house and money, I've already planned everything for you."

Then, she happily showed Angelina all the things she had left for the latter, assuring Angelina that she'd be well taken care of for life.

Under the light, their shadows leaned into each other, looking like the perfect mother and daughter. And there I was, hiding in the shadows and watching someone else's happiness like a worm forgotten in the corner.

…

My teacher called my mother several times for three whole days. However, my mother would always scold the teacher and eventually block their number.

Meanwhile, my scattered bones were gradually being recovered.

Mark held a marked map and rushed toward my mother.

"Jolin, look at the locations where these bones were found. They match the spots of the hideouts Jeff destroyed. Please call Ariana and check if she's alright."

Alas, my mother didn't even look at it as she said, "Why do you insist on protecting her, Mark? Everyone who was involved was given a death sentence. No one would go after Ariana. Plus, she was just harassing Angelina a few days ago. How could she have been dead for a month?

"If you have the time to worry about her, why don't you focus on finding the last piece of the skull!"

Just as Mark was about to respond, another officer, Derek, rushed in and said, "Mark, Jolin, you guys need to see this!"