Share

Chapter 3

Author: Orange Iced Americano
last update Last Updated: 2024-10-29 19:42:56
"The body's face has been destroyed, and the fingerprints have been smoothened. We're unable to identify it just yet, Dr. Goldman."

Ruth was relieved when she heard her assistant, Morgan Hall, say that. It was fortunate she hadn't left any traces that could help identify the corpse.

"Bring the body back to the station for now. I'll ask Captain York for more details."

Ruth approached Joseph York, the police captain. He was also my mentor. She wanted to know more about the corpse.

"The corpse has been severely damaged, Captain York. It's going to take a while to identify him through an autopsy. Is there any evidence found at the scene?"

Joseph had no clues. "This isn't the murder scene, and it rained last night. We can't find anything useful—this is a tough case. It doesn't help that Eugene is on a break now!"

Joseph deliberately mentioned me before Ruth. A trace of anger flitted across her face when she heard my name.

"Has he contacted you?" Joseph asked. He knew Ruth was angry with me because of that incident and wanted to help ease the tension.

"I'm returning to the station to get started on the autopsy, Captain York." She turned and left.

Joseph shook his head and sighed. "Oh, youngsters nowadays. I have no idea what goes through their minds!"

After that, he pulled out his phone to call me. "I still can't reach Eugene. Jamie, can you try calling him?"

My soul couldn't be far from Ruth, so I followed her back to the station.

"This murderer is really cruel, Dr. Goldman. This victim died at such a young age," Morgan said while looking at my body.

When he saw Ruth was ready to start the autopsy, he stepped aside to make way for her. "We have to seek justice for this victim, Dr. Goldman!"

Ruth was holding a scalpel, ready to start. Her hand trembled at Morgan's words.

I noticed her eyes were slightly red. She was probably sad that she'd helped Ivan escape persecution.

What would she think once she learned the body before her was mine? She would probably be happy, right?

Her mother had died because of me, after all…

...

A month ago, our precinct worked with the state authorities to crack down on illegal activities. I'd worked overtime for a month. I was so busy that I'd even forgotten Ruth's mother, Tracy Moore's birthday.

Tracy understood the responsibilities that came with the nature of my job. She'd felt bad for me for working overtime for a month, so she'd cooked chicken soup and brought it to the station so I could have it.

After she called me, I was about to head outside to bring her in when a couple of the police officers on duty nabbed a runaway criminal. They brought him in, wanting to interrogate him.

I joined them for the interrogation, forgetting about Tracy. Once the interrogation was over, I saw Ruth charge at me, looking furious.

I remembered she didn't need to work overtime because there weren't any urgent cases. What was she doing at the station in the wee hours of the morning?

I could tell something was wrong and was about to ask her what had happened when she slapped me hard. "Do you still remember that you made my mother wait for you?"

Only then did I remember Tracy was waiting outside the station for me.

"I'm so sorry! I honestly forgot about her. I'll apologize to her right now!" I was about to run outside when I saw Ruth remaining where she was.

I wanted to ask her what was wrong when Joseph came in, looking grim. "Come with me, Eugene, Dr. Goldman."

We followed Joseph into his office. Only then did I learn that Tracy was dead.

"Tracy's dead? What happened?"

Related chapters

  • Deadly Devotion: Betrayed by Love   Chapter 4

    Joseph told me that Tracy had run into some gangsters while waiting for me outside the station. Thanks to our recent crackdown on illegal activities, I'd arrested their leader. They wanted to get revenge on me, so they knocked Tracy out and dragged her away. Then, they'd chopped her limbs off and thrown her remains into a nearby drain. I couldn't believe Tracy was dead. I looked into Joseph's eyes, my disbelief evident. He lowered his head and sighed. Meanwhile, Ruth slumped onto the desk and burst into tears. "You're an asshole, Eugene! None of this would've happened if you'd brought my mother into the station sooner!" She wanted nothing more than to kill me when she thought about Tracy's death being an act of revenge on me. Tracy had only been at the police station to bring me chicken soup. I had planned to propose to Ruth the following week, but that had to be set aside because of this. She refused to forgive me and even moved out of our shared apartment. I called and

  • Deadly Devotion: Betrayed by Love   Chapter 5

    Ruth stood there and hesitated for a long while. Her professional ethics told her she couldn't tamper with the sample. However, she knew she'd already made a wrong move when helping Ivan handle the corpse. She and him were in the same boat now—she would also be implicated if Ivan were arrested. She was still hesitating when someone knocked on the door. She answered it to see Ivan outside. "What are you doing here?" Ivan slipped into the room before she was done. He shut the door and turned to her. "I missed you." He caressed her face. Helplessly, she said, "It won't be good if anyone realizes you're here. Hurry up and leave!" Ivan didn't take her words to heart. Instead, he strolled around the autopsy room. When he saw my body on the autopsy table, he asked tentatively, "Have the police managed to find anything?" Ruth shook her head. She subconsciously used a document to cover the container where Morgan had placed the DNA sample. Ivan noticed something was afoot but didn't

  • Deadly Devotion: Betrayed by Love   Chapter 6

    When Ruth returned from the restroom, she saw Ivan had already left. She sighed in relief and stood before her workstation. After some thought, she decided to submit the DNA sample to the tech department for analysis. While in the restroom earlier, she'd thought things over. She'd already made the wrong move when helping Ivan tamper with the body. She couldn't continue making mistakes and doing everything she'd learned wrong. She had to seek justice for the victim! Regardless of whether she would be implicated when the results were out or what punishment would be meted out, she would accept it. Ruth brought the DNA sample to the tech department. On her way back, she ran into Joseph. When he saw her, he asked urgently, "Has Eugene contacted you lately, Dr. Goldman? We've all tried calling him, but he hasn't answered." Only then did Ruth realize she hadn't received any messages from me over the past week. When she shook her head, Joseph said, "Eugene isn't the type to run away wh

  • Deadly Devotion: Betrayed by Love   Chapter 7

    Ruth got all my clothes from the cupboard and finally found the business card in the deepest corner. At the same time, she found a folder in the lowest drawer. Inside was an agreement on kidney donation. A few years ago, Ruth had been diagnosed with uremia and needed a new kidney. I'd secretly done the test to see whether I was a match for her. I was, so I'd donated my kidney to her. I'd never told Ruth about it, though. I didn't want her to be with me just to repay me. I loved her, so I didn't want her to bear the burden of these things. She only learned I'd donated a kidney upon reading the document. "Left kidney?" She felt like she'd been struck by lightning when she read that. She vaguely remembered the corpse she'd helped Ivan with was missing his left kidney. "No, it can't be…" She started trembling as her earlier bad feeling returned in full force. She began wondering whether the corpse was mine. Just then, her phone rang. The call was from a colleague in the tech de

  • Deadly Devotion: Betrayed by Love   Chapter 8

    She waited outside, wanting to be the first to know who the corpse belonged to. Her phone rang. It was Ivan. "I miss you like hell, Ruthy. Can you come and see me?" He was slurring a little. It seemed he was drunk. "I'm at work now," Ruth said patiently. "Can you bear to leave me be, Ruthy? Don't you love me anymore?" he pleaded. Ruth frowned at that. Then, she said, "Stay where you are. I'll be right there!" She hung up and headed to the motel. Ivan had sent her the location. Less than half an hour later, she arrived in the motel room. Ivan looked drunk. He staggered to Ruth, wanting to kiss her. I saw the lecherous look on his face and wanted nothing more than to kill him. However, I couldn't do anything to him in my current state. All I could do was cover my ears and shut my eyes as I stood in the corner. After they were done, Ivan fell into a drunken stupor. Ruth got out of bed and quickly got dressed. Before leaving, she turned to look at Ivan. There was a scar o

  • Deadly Devotion: Betrayed by Love   Chapter 9

    Morgan didn't know what to say to make Ruth feel better. He lowered his head, not daring to look her in the eye. Ruth was initially taken aback. Then, she laughed and shouted at the people outside, "Don't joke around about things like this. Where's Eugene?" No one answered her. She remained rooted to the spot, not daring to step forward. She couldn't accept the truth. She'd ruined her own fiancé's body! Joseph entered the room and patted her shoulder. "It's natural that you can't accept this just yet, Ruth. I've asked the chief to give you some time off. You should get some rest." He patted her on the shoulder again when she didn't respond. Then, she passed out. I wanted to catch her, but I was only a spirit. Her body passed through mine and collapsed on the floor. I looked at her, assuming she'd fainted due to sorrow. The old me would've cradled her in my arms, my heart aching for her. Now, however, I felt nothing. Ruth was taken home by a couple of colleagues with whom

  • Deadly Devotion: Betrayed by Love   Chapter 10

    That night, Ruth wrote a letter detailing everything she'd done. She knew this would implicate her and make her end up in prison, but she'd still done it. She wanted me to get the justice I deserved. At the same time, she checked the hardware store online and discovered Ivan owned it. With all the evidence she had, there was no way Ivan was getting away with murder. She submitted the letter. With the evidence and witness statement provided, she and Ivan were soon arrested. "How could you have been so silly, Ruth?" Joseph sighed after reading her letter. Still, he had no choice but to arrest her. He pulled out his handcuffs and cuffed her. "Do you think Gene will forgive me, Captain York?" I floated beside her, immediately saying, "I've never blamed you!" It was true. I didn't blame Ruth for destroying my body or refusing to answer my final pleas for help. I only blamed myself for loving her too much. "I don't think Eugene would blame you for this." Joseph sighed again. "H

  • Deadly Devotion: Betrayed by Love   Chapter 1

    My name was Eugene Locke, and I was a detective in the major crimes unit prior to my death. After dying, I became a spirit and followed my fiancée, Ruth Goldman, around. "Ruthy, I'm in a spot of trouble. Hurry up and come help me!" When Ruth received a call from Ivan Stuart, she dropped everything and hurried to him. He was her first love, and they were something of childhood sweethearts. Whenever Ivan asked her for anything, she would agree, no matter what it was. I'd asked her whether Ivan was all she cared about, but she always said impatiently, "Ivan and I are just friends. Could you stop getting jealous over the smallest things?" This time, Ivan had murdered someone. He asked Ruth to help him deal with the corpse, and she'd agreed.What she didn't know was that the corpse was mine. ... "This is the last time I'm helping you, Ivan!" Ruth wore her gloves and grabbed a tool to smoothen my corpse's fingerprints. She saw a scar on my corpse's right arm. Afraid my famil

Latest chapter

  • Deadly Devotion: Betrayed by Love   Chapter 10

    That night, Ruth wrote a letter detailing everything she'd done. She knew this would implicate her and make her end up in prison, but she'd still done it. She wanted me to get the justice I deserved. At the same time, she checked the hardware store online and discovered Ivan owned it. With all the evidence she had, there was no way Ivan was getting away with murder. She submitted the letter. With the evidence and witness statement provided, she and Ivan were soon arrested. "How could you have been so silly, Ruth?" Joseph sighed after reading her letter. Still, he had no choice but to arrest her. He pulled out his handcuffs and cuffed her. "Do you think Gene will forgive me, Captain York?" I floated beside her, immediately saying, "I've never blamed you!" It was true. I didn't blame Ruth for destroying my body or refusing to answer my final pleas for help. I only blamed myself for loving her too much. "I don't think Eugene would blame you for this." Joseph sighed again. "H

  • Deadly Devotion: Betrayed by Love   Chapter 9

    Morgan didn't know what to say to make Ruth feel better. He lowered his head, not daring to look her in the eye. Ruth was initially taken aback. Then, she laughed and shouted at the people outside, "Don't joke around about things like this. Where's Eugene?" No one answered her. She remained rooted to the spot, not daring to step forward. She couldn't accept the truth. She'd ruined her own fiancé's body! Joseph entered the room and patted her shoulder. "It's natural that you can't accept this just yet, Ruth. I've asked the chief to give you some time off. You should get some rest." He patted her on the shoulder again when she didn't respond. Then, she passed out. I wanted to catch her, but I was only a spirit. Her body passed through mine and collapsed on the floor. I looked at her, assuming she'd fainted due to sorrow. The old me would've cradled her in my arms, my heart aching for her. Now, however, I felt nothing. Ruth was taken home by a couple of colleagues with whom

  • Deadly Devotion: Betrayed by Love   Chapter 8

    She waited outside, wanting to be the first to know who the corpse belonged to. Her phone rang. It was Ivan. "I miss you like hell, Ruthy. Can you come and see me?" He was slurring a little. It seemed he was drunk. "I'm at work now," Ruth said patiently. "Can you bear to leave me be, Ruthy? Don't you love me anymore?" he pleaded. Ruth frowned at that. Then, she said, "Stay where you are. I'll be right there!" She hung up and headed to the motel. Ivan had sent her the location. Less than half an hour later, she arrived in the motel room. Ivan looked drunk. He staggered to Ruth, wanting to kiss her. I saw the lecherous look on his face and wanted nothing more than to kill him. However, I couldn't do anything to him in my current state. All I could do was cover my ears and shut my eyes as I stood in the corner. After they were done, Ivan fell into a drunken stupor. Ruth got out of bed and quickly got dressed. Before leaving, she turned to look at Ivan. There was a scar o

  • Deadly Devotion: Betrayed by Love   Chapter 7

    Ruth got all my clothes from the cupboard and finally found the business card in the deepest corner. At the same time, she found a folder in the lowest drawer. Inside was an agreement on kidney donation. A few years ago, Ruth had been diagnosed with uremia and needed a new kidney. I'd secretly done the test to see whether I was a match for her. I was, so I'd donated my kidney to her. I'd never told Ruth about it, though. I didn't want her to be with me just to repay me. I loved her, so I didn't want her to bear the burden of these things. She only learned I'd donated a kidney upon reading the document. "Left kidney?" She felt like she'd been struck by lightning when she read that. She vaguely remembered the corpse she'd helped Ivan with was missing his left kidney. "No, it can't be…" She started trembling as her earlier bad feeling returned in full force. She began wondering whether the corpse was mine. Just then, her phone rang. The call was from a colleague in the tech de

  • Deadly Devotion: Betrayed by Love   Chapter 6

    When Ruth returned from the restroom, she saw Ivan had already left. She sighed in relief and stood before her workstation. After some thought, she decided to submit the DNA sample to the tech department for analysis. While in the restroom earlier, she'd thought things over. She'd already made the wrong move when helping Ivan tamper with the body. She couldn't continue making mistakes and doing everything she'd learned wrong. She had to seek justice for the victim! Regardless of whether she would be implicated when the results were out or what punishment would be meted out, she would accept it. Ruth brought the DNA sample to the tech department. On her way back, she ran into Joseph. When he saw her, he asked urgently, "Has Eugene contacted you lately, Dr. Goldman? We've all tried calling him, but he hasn't answered." Only then did Ruth realize she hadn't received any messages from me over the past week. When she shook her head, Joseph said, "Eugene isn't the type to run away wh

  • Deadly Devotion: Betrayed by Love   Chapter 5

    Ruth stood there and hesitated for a long while. Her professional ethics told her she couldn't tamper with the sample. However, she knew she'd already made a wrong move when helping Ivan handle the corpse. She and him were in the same boat now—she would also be implicated if Ivan were arrested. She was still hesitating when someone knocked on the door. She answered it to see Ivan outside. "What are you doing here?" Ivan slipped into the room before she was done. He shut the door and turned to her. "I missed you." He caressed her face. Helplessly, she said, "It won't be good if anyone realizes you're here. Hurry up and leave!" Ivan didn't take her words to heart. Instead, he strolled around the autopsy room. When he saw my body on the autopsy table, he asked tentatively, "Have the police managed to find anything?" Ruth shook her head. She subconsciously used a document to cover the container where Morgan had placed the DNA sample. Ivan noticed something was afoot but didn't

  • Deadly Devotion: Betrayed by Love   Chapter 4

    Joseph told me that Tracy had run into some gangsters while waiting for me outside the station. Thanks to our recent crackdown on illegal activities, I'd arrested their leader. They wanted to get revenge on me, so they knocked Tracy out and dragged her away. Then, they'd chopped her limbs off and thrown her remains into a nearby drain. I couldn't believe Tracy was dead. I looked into Joseph's eyes, my disbelief evident. He lowered his head and sighed. Meanwhile, Ruth slumped onto the desk and burst into tears. "You're an asshole, Eugene! None of this would've happened if you'd brought my mother into the station sooner!" She wanted nothing more than to kill me when she thought about Tracy's death being an act of revenge on me. Tracy had only been at the police station to bring me chicken soup. I had planned to propose to Ruth the following week, but that had to be set aside because of this. She refused to forgive me and even moved out of our shared apartment. I called and

  • Deadly Devotion: Betrayed by Love   Chapter 3

    "The body's face has been destroyed, and the fingerprints have been smoothened. We're unable to identify it just yet, Dr. Goldman." Ruth was relieved when she heard her assistant, Morgan Hall, say that. It was fortunate she hadn't left any traces that could help identify the corpse. "Bring the body back to the station for now. I'll ask Captain York for more details." Ruth approached Joseph York, the police captain. He was also my mentor. She wanted to know more about the corpse. "The corpse has been severely damaged, Captain York. It's going to take a while to identify him through an autopsy. Is there any evidence found at the scene?" Joseph had no clues. "This isn't the murder scene, and it rained last night. We can't find anything useful—this is a tough case. It doesn't help that Eugene is on a break now!" Joseph deliberately mentioned me before Ruth. A trace of anger flitted across her face when she heard my name. "Has he contacted you?" Joseph asked. He knew Ruth was

  • Deadly Devotion: Betrayed by Love   Chapter 2

    The noises Ruth and Ivan made pierced my ears. I wanted to cover them so I wouldn't have to listen to them, but the noise penetrated my soul. I clamped my ears as hard as possible, but it didn't help. I couldn't escape, either. It was as if I'd been placed under a spell that bound my soul to Ruth. I couldn't get away from her. I could only watch as my fiancée, the woman I loved more than life itself, slept with my murderer. I was so disgusted that I wanted to puke. After retching, I cruelly thought about how Ruth would eventually learn that the corpse was mine. Would she have a mental breakdown when learning she'd slept with her fiancée's murderer and even helped him destroy my corpse? This thought made a hint of thrill rise in me. It made me feel better, at least. Ruth and Ivan did the deed beside my remains for over an hour. When she finally went home, she opened the door to find the apartment in pitch-black darkness. She turned the lights on and headed to the kitchen for a

DMCA.com Protection Status