Dad and his colleagues were nervously discussing the case’s progress in the office.

I stood quietly nearby, listening to their conversation.

“The DNA results aren’t in yet, so we can’t confirm the victim’s identity,” one said.

“However, the coroner’s preliminary examination suggests the victim was between 20 and 21 years old, female,” Jerry added, his brow furrowed. “Given the scene, this case is likely a revenge killing.”

“Yes, looking at these wounds, it’s utterly inhumane. It seems like a cruel retaliation against the victim,” another colleague agreed.

Dad pondered for a moment. “I believe the perpetrator is a vicious criminal, possibly with a prior record.”

“Exactly! Anyone capable of such a thing is a damn beast!” Jerry exclaimed, slapping his thigh in agreement.

“We need to find clues quickly and identify the perpetrator,” Dad’s voice was filled with determination. “Let’s check inmates released in the last three months; we might find some leads.”

Listening to their discussion, I felt a wave of worry and unease. My memories weren’t fully restored, and I couldn’t recall the criminal’s appearance, but I vaguely remembered a birthmark on his hand.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t provide any leads now.

I observed Dad and his colleagues working overnight, sifting through case files and reviewing surveillance footage.

They analyzed the suspects’ movements again and again, carefully comparing the existing evidence.

Finally, before dawn, they identified three suspects.

All three fit the timeline, the location, and had no alibis.

Now they just needed a motive.

“All three of these guys you’ve arrested before,” Jerry frowned, concern in his voice. “Could it be revenge against you?”

Dad paused, deep in thought. “No, that’s unlikely.” His tone was firm, but a hint of unease flickered in his eyes.

“But how do you explain this? It can’t all be a coincidence! And the commonality among these three is that you personally arrested them – they have plenty of motive. Think carefully,” Jerry insisted.

“I had dinner with Ann last night,” Dad suddenly replied.

Jerry fell silent for a moment.

He asked tentatively, “What about your other daughter, Jenny? Maybe you should check with her.”

I watched as Dad’s expression twisted, as if he had touched a painful nerve.

His brow furrowed tightly, lips pressed together, a heavy atmosphere settling in the room.

“Jenny…” Dad’s voice was low and tinged with annoyance. “That little disaster is probably doing just fine.”

Jerry frowned slightly, trying to ease the tension. “Don’t be like this; every time you mention Jenny, your mood worsens. It wasn’t her fault.”

“Not her fault?” Dad’s voice sharpened suddenly. “I’ll tell you, she’s a walking disaster, bringing misfortune to everyone around her!”

A sharp pain shot through my heart, leaving me speechless.

Jerry sighed gently, attempting to lighten the mood. “Jenny is also your daughter; no one expected this tragedy.”

“Her mother died because of her!” Dad’s voice brimmed with anger and sorrow. “It was all smooth sailing when I had her sister. Why did everything go wrong with her?!”

Listening to Dad, I felt an endless guilt and sadness swell within me.

Yes, it was because of me that Mom died from excessive bleeding, and Dad lost the love of his life.

I knew that no matter how I explained, I couldn’t change his fixation.

Jerry looked at Dad, shaking his head in resignation.

He knew that further persuasion was futile; this had become a thorn in Dad’s heart.

He could only say softly, “Calm down for a moment, go change your clothes and rest.”

I watched as Dad silently left the room, his figure appearing lonely and burdened.

I wanted to reach out to comfort him but realized I could only pass my transparent hand through him.

I followed Dad back home, and the warm decorations inside made me sigh.

Compared to the single bedroom I usually rented, this place felt like another world.

Yet beneath this cozy atmosphere lay the deep pain in my heart.

Since I turned eighteen, Dad had urged me to be independent, eventually pushing me out of the house.

“You’re an adult now; it’s time to move out. It’s a kindness to have supported you until 18 in your mother’s name, so don’t come looking for me again!”

I struggled to make ends meet on my university scholarship, barely scraping by each month.

This home had long ceased to be a refuge; it had become a distant dream.

Dad’s attitude toward my sister was completely different; he spoiled her just as he always had.

He had once said in front of me, “Even if your sister never works a day in her life, I’ll take care of her forever.”

Bitterly, I had asked, “What about me, Dad?”

He’d frowned. “What right do you have? You took your mother’s life; you don’t deserve anything.”

His words pierced my heart deeply, leaving me with endless sorrow and loss.

In this family environment, I felt like an abandoned orphan, overwhelmed by a sadness with nowhere to go.

As Dad walked through the door, my sister joyfully greeted him. Dad ruffled her hair affectionately before heading into the kitchen to cook.

Seeing my sister suddenly triggered a flood of memories.

I covered my head, overwhelmed by the rush of recollections, my heart filled with shock.

While helping Dad wash vegetables, my sister asked about the case, “Dad, any updates on the case? Have they caught the killer?”

Dad was a bit surprised. “When did you start caring about cases? You usually find them disgusting when I talk about them.”

My sister’s expression was slightly awkward. “Well, it’s in the news now. I’m worried since it’s getting a lot of attention.”

Dad patted her head reassuringly. “Don’t worry, sweetheart; I’m fine. This case is a rare dismemberment case, so it might take some time.”

“Oh, okay. Has the victim’s identity been confirmed yet?” she asked, anxious – was she worried for the victim or herself?

“Not yet. The DNA test has been done; we should have results by tonight.”

Listening to their conversation, I suddenly remembered that my sister had called me to come to the place where I was murdered.

A wave of panic swept over me; could it be that this was all orchestrated by her? Was she the mastermind behind it all?

My heart raced, and a wave of intense nausea washed over me.

I tried to say something, but only bitter bile rose in my throat.

I doubled over, vomiting uncontrollably.

I wondered why, after all the love my sister received from Dad, she would deceive me like this.

I recalled when she called me, saying Dad needed to see me, and I was excited enough to take a day off to meet him because it was my birthday.

I thought Dad had finally forgiven me and wanted to celebrate, but it was all a delusion – he hadn’t called me; my sister had set me up to die!

At that moment, when the killer had let his guard down, I called Dad, but he didn’t give me a chance to speak, only saying, “I’m celebrating your sister’s birthday; I’ll talk to you later.”

Before he hung up, I heard a lively scene on the other end, with someone singing happy birthday to my sister.

On my end, the killer heard my movement and kicked me to the ground, and I spat blood.

I remembered a childhood incident when Jerry bought each of us a candy.

My sister finished hers first while I hesitated to eat mine. Seeing I wasn’t eating, she complained to Dad, claiming I stole her candy.

“Dad, Jenny stole my candy!” she pointed at me.

Dad’s face darkened slightly. “Jenny, why did you take your sister’s candy again?”

I quickly defended myself. “Dad, I didn’t steal it. Jerry gave it to me; my sister finished hers. I just didn’t want to eat it yet.”

But Dad didn’t believe me. “Stop lying! You’re not just a disaster; you’re a liar too! Give your sister her candy back.”

I looked at Dad helplessly, filled with grievance.

No matter how I explained, he wouldn’t believe me, so I could only watch as my sister triumphantly took my candy.

Even after Jerry clarified that we each received our candy, Dad still said, “If Ann wants it, her sister should let her have it. She really is a stingy little brat, a disaster.”

After Dad and my sister finished dinner, he probably remembered Jerry’s suspicions and flipped through his contacts to call me.

I clearly saw him scrolling through the phone, and the note for Jenny read “My Darling Daughter,” deepening the bitterness in my heart.

Dad tried to call me three times, but each time there was no answer.

His patience seemed to have reached its limit, and he couldn’t help but curse, his voice filled with anger and disappointment.

The phone felt heavy in his hand as he gripped it tightly, as if he wanted to crush it.

“Called three times and still no answer; Jenny really has some nerve!” His voice was slightly hoarse, revealing endless anxiety and fatigue.

I quietly watched him, feeling helpless and heartbroken.

I wanted to explain, to comfort him, but I couldn’t; my soul felt incredibly heavy and confused at that moment.

Just then, Dad’s phone screen suddenly lit up with a message from the forensics department.

A clear photo of a necklace appeared, glinting ominously.

Dad looked at the picture in disbelief.

He glanced at the necklace around my sister’s neck; it was identical to the one I had.

The forensics department stated that the necklace had only the victim’s fingerprints on it, found clutched tightly in my hand, suggesting it was something the victim cherished in life.

Dad stood up, knocking over the bench, muttering “impossible,” and continued to call me, still no answer.