Chapter 2 She Can Be Dead for All I Care

At that moment, I became anxious.

It was a photo of my coat, the one that my mother had bought for me five years ago. I cherished it so much that I had a tailor make it bigger so I could keep wearing it.

I wondered if she could still recognize it.

My mother hesitated for a moment before saying, "Angel has a coat just like this."

When I heard her, I was at a loss for words. The hope I had within me had vanished instantly.

My mother remembered everything about Angel but never about me.

Then, she added with a sigh, "For some reason, she reminds me of Angel. I guess it's because they're around the same age and build." She probably sympathized as she cursed, "This murderer is the same as Melissa. They are a danger to society. Just the thought of Melissa being somewhere in the world makes me sick."

Chills ran down my spine at her venomous tone, and my heart was torn apart.

In the meantime, my mother straightened and said to Officer John. "Let me know as soon as there's any progress. I'll be on standby." Then, she lowered her gaze and said softly, "My daughter has been feeling uneasy these past few days. I have to get home early to be with her."

Soon, I followed my mother back home.

As soon as she came home, Angel rushed up to hug her. "Mom, welcome home."

My mother lowered her gaze and looked at Angel warmly. "Thank you for waiting for me, Angel."

Suddenly, her phone rang. My mother answered it without moving away.

"Did Melissa contact you? Her landlord just called me and said she hadn't paid her rent for over a week. They haven't been able to get in touch with her. Plus, she hasn't been home."

Tears filled my eyes as I heard those words.

It was Dad.

Although he hadn't forgiven me all these years, some part deep inside of him seemed to be still worried about me.

However, my mother sneered and spat, "What's that got to do with me? It's none of my business whether she sleeps on the street or not."

My dad fell silent when he heard the hatred in her tone. Then, he paused for a moment before saying, "I've already paid her rent. Let's check on her this week."

"Why? I told you she has nothing to do with us anymore!"

My dad sighed and replied, "She's still our daughter."

His words seemed to have triggered my mother as her expression darkened. "What about Vanessa then? Is she not your daughter? Are you feeling sympathy for that murderer?"

Her words tore my heart apart.

It didn't matter how many times I explained that it wasn't me who killed Vanessa, as my mother had never believed me.

My dad seemed to want to say more, but she cut him off.

"I'm telling you. I will never be at peace as long as she lives. If you pay her rent again, we're getting a divorce!" Then, she hung up angrily.

Angel squeezed her hand and comforted her, "It's been years, Mom. Don't be sad. She may be a terrible person, but I don't hate her. After all, she's still my sister."

When my mother heard her words, her expression softened. Then, she hugged Angel and sobbed.

"You're so kind. I'm afraid people like Melissa will hurt you one day. Just knowing that she's out there and could hurt you makes me feel like I have failed my job as a mother. I should've put her in jail myself. That's why I became a journalist. I want to protect you."

The sting in my eyes became sharper, and tears blurred my vision.

She had only protected Angel right from the start and never once tried to save me from despair. When I was eight, she even made me a headline and labeled me as a heartless monster, putting me through endless online abuse and bullying.

Still, I suppose she would be happy now that I was dead. No one could hurt her precious Angel anymore.