"Let go of me!" Michael shouted, "She's just playing stupid tricks to get my attention. You're the police captain, so why would you fall for that? What's wrong with you? Even if something did happen to her, she deserved it!"Michael kept struggling to break free. However, Charles was a burly man with shocking strength, so Michael couldn't escape at all."Please, just pretend you're going through the necessary procedures for an investigation. It's a call from her phone, after all. You've been with the police for years, so you should be aware that you are legally obliged to cooperate," Charles said, trying to reason with him.I hovered behind them, my heart aching even more now.I wanted to say, "I'm not the caller, Michael. When I was imprisoned, she had taken my phone and smashed it right away. The person calling you and getting on your nerves really isn't me. After all, I'm already dead…"When the two entered the office, the sobbing over the phone had turned even louder. The voic
Charles hastily showed Michael the phone and the MP3 player.However, Michael heartlessly slapped them onto the ground. "Can't you understand what I just said? I told you, no matter what she does, it has nothing to do with me! I'm going to the movies with my sister now. If you keep pestering me, I'll—""Michael Summers!" Getting out of the car, Charles shouted Michael's full name in anger. "I know that you've been suffering because of Elena's death," he started. His eyes were red in fury, and he clenched his fists tightly. "But Ruth may be in danger right now."He continued, "As the police, we are obliged to ensure her safety. This has nothing to do with anything else! But look at you now! You're nothing like the calm forensic pathologist you're supposed to be!"However, Michael simply sneered. "Get someone calm enough to help you with the case, then. I quit."Taking out his forensic credentials from his pocket, Michael flung them at Charles' feet."You!" Charles' eyes were fil
"Ta-da! Do you know what this is, Michael?" Shirley jogged into the kitchen and came back out with a small pot in her hands.Of course, Michael could figure out what it was, but he played along and asked smilingly, "What is it? It smells nice.""It's bone broth! I made it especially for you!" Removing the lid, Shirley said with a concerned expression, "You've been working overtime these days, so it must be tough on your health. You should have some bone broth for extra nourishment.""I'm sorry, Shirley. I should've spent more time with you." Michael accepted the bowl of broth Shirley handed to him, looking quite touched.Shirley propped her chin up on her hand. "It's okay, Michael. Come on, try it."Michael nodded.Just then, the doorbell rang.Shirley frowned a little.Setting down the bowl, Michael said, "You must be tired from all the shopping. Rest here. I'll get the door.""Sorry to intrude, Dr. Summers." The person at the door was wearing an undershirt and baggy pants. H
The delivery guy handed a box the size of a notebook to Michael. "Here's a package for you. Please sign your name here.""Did you buy something for me, Shirley?" After accepting the package, Michael walked into the house with the package in hand.A look of suspicion flashed across Shirley's eyes. But in a split second, she smiled sweetly and said, "No. I was actually thinking of getting you something with my scholarship money, but I'm still deciding.""You should save that money for your future wedding. Don't waste it on me," Michael replied.It was only then that Michael checked the sender's name.The package was from me.Michael's expression instantly turned cold. He opened the door and tossed the package out right away.I hovered nearby, watching. My heart ached as if it had thousands of needles running through it. I felt as if dying wasn't such a bad thing after all.Michael returned to the table.Shirley looked curious. "Why did you throw it away, Michael?""It's just ru
No one would be bothering Michael now.Shirley had an anxious look on her face as she called out to him. "Michael, did something really happen to Ruth?""So what if it did? She's a monster. Does she not deserve a bad ending?" Michael patted Shirley's hand. "It's getting late. You should go to bed. I'll clean up the table.""No. You've been working yourself to the bone, Michael. I can take care of these things." Shirley quickly carried the pot to the kitchen. Her expression instantly turned cold and twisted, and she seemed to be thinking of something.Still, Michael was deeply touched by her actions.Just then, knocks sounded on the door once again. However, the knocks were arrhythmic and slow. They sounded quite creepy.Shirley immediately exited the kitchen with an oddly wary look in her eyes."Don't bother. I'll get the door! That monster! I can't believe she's bringing her stupid pranks here!" Michael was on his way to his bedroom, but he turned and walked toward the door.
Time seemed to have come to a standstill.Michael turned toward Shirley in bewilderment. "How can it be…?""I didn't do it, Michael." With tears in her eyes, Shirley shook her head violently. "I swear. Please believe me, Michael."Charles shouted, "We have conclusive evidence. No amount of pretending will get you anywhere!"However, when Michael saw Shirley's helpless demeanor, he quickly dismissed his suspicions. Turning around, he pulled her into his arms and comforted her. "I believe you. Don't worry…"Just then, a small scalpel sliced into Michael's chest."Damn it!" When Charles saw Michael's figure wavering, his expression shifted as he hastily took out his gun. "Don't do anything stupid, Shirley!"Michael's face was filled with disbelief. "W-Why?""Because I love you, Michael." Shirley quickly removed the scalpel from Michael's chest. Then, she held it against his neck as her vicious smile contorted. "I was the one who fell for you first, but Elena got to you before I di
"I'm even surprised you noticed her tooth problem. Do you know why?" With that, Charles flung a pile of reports at Michael. "She was overworked for a whole year, so she developed immunity issues despite her young age. She had leukemia!"Michael whipped his head up as tears streamed down his face. "W-What did you just say?""But she didn't want to seek treatment at all," Charles continued, "Your distrust and indifference gave her more despair than terminal illness ever could."Charles looked at Michael in disdain. Then, he tossed a package at the latter. "Do you know what's inside? It contains a property deed with your name on it, along with all her savings! She might have given up on seeking treatment, but she was still worried about her jerk of a brother!"But you threw it away! You don't deserve any of her kindness!"As Charles shouted, Michael stood up with a numb expression on his face.The next moment, he closed his eyes and lost consciousness.He remained unconscious for
My elder brother, Michael Summers, had always wished that I could just die."You're just a cold-blooded monster, Ruth! Elena cared so much about you, but you heartlessly locked her out so that she would be stabbed in your stead! Don't you feel ashamed to be alive?"Five years ago, Michael's fiancée, Elena Brooks, had died because of me.Five years later, my burnt corpse lay quietly on Michael's autopsy table.Michael's wish finally came true.However, he lost his mind when he learned that I was the one who had died.…The burnt corpse on the autopsy table was in a distorted posture."Sorry, Dr. Summers," Charles Johnson, the captain of the police force, said apologetically, "I understand that you can finally get off work early and have dinner with Ruth today, but…""I don't want to hear that monster's name ever again." Michael glared at Charles with a hint of disdain in his cold gaze.I hovered in the air above them. There was a bitter smile on my lips. After Elena's tragic d