Semua Bab Ghost of a Broken Home: Bab 1 - Bab 9

I lay motionless on the tattered sofa.My daughter was already used to this sight. She tiptoed closer, placed most of the bun slice beside my head, and nibbled on her own portion.After just a few bites, the bun was gone, but her stomach was still growling. She glanced around the room, searching for anything to fill her belly, but there was nothing left.With no other choice, she stood on tiptoe, trembling as she twisted the faucet open, filling a cup with water and gulping it down.Floating in midair, I watched this scene unfold, my heart aching as if pierced by countless needles.Was she really my little girl, the one who used to tear up and throw a tantrum whenever she couldn't have her strawberry cake? It had only been three days. How had she changed from a spoiled child to someone so sensible?She looked up and spotted the old teddy bear by the trash can. Wedged between its worn-out paws was a family photo.In the picture, Patrick held my daughter and me in his strong arms,

Hearing the noise, Jennifer panicked. She quickly waved the beggar off and picked up the little girl, gently tidying her dress."Patrick, you came just in time! Nina came looking for you. I was just chatting with her!"Patrick looked at Nina with slight confusion, but in the next second, Jennifer diverted his attention. "Patrick, it's so cold outside! Quickly take Nina inside. She's not dressed warmly enough."Her face was full of concern, but impatience flickered in her eyes.Nina lifted her head, revealing the scratch marks on her face, hoping to stir even the slightest fatherly affection in Patrick—hoping he would comfort her like he used to.However, Patrick only glanced at her briefly, then covered his nose with a look of disgust. "Is this how Winnie takes care of her child? She doesn't even bathe her daughter? She stinks."His voice turned colder. "And now she’s abusing her daughter for sympathy? Trying to fool me with this pathetic act?"He gently stroked Jennifer’s back,

The dinner plate was overturned and crashed onto the floor with a piercing noise.Patrick’s hands trembled uncontrollably, his phone nearly slipping from his grasp. He roared in fury, "What the hell are you talking about? What rental apartment? Are you messing with me? Do you have a death wish?"The person on the other end seemed unfazed as if already accustomed to such reactions. Ignoring the man’s agitation, they spoke in a solemn tone, "Mr. Hart, please remain calm. This is the city police department. We received a report about a foul odor coming from a rental unit and discovered the body of a young woman who had been deceased for three days."The deceased has been identified as your wife, Winnie. Her daughter, Nina, is currently missing. If you have any information, please inform us immediately."Patrick was so shocked by the news that his phone slipped from his grasp and crashed onto the floor. His bloodshot eyes locked onto Lily as he demanded, "Lily, did you hear what they j

Jennifer gently tried to persuade him as well, "Patrick, Lily is right. What’s done is done. Right now, we need to get through this first."Patrick stared blankly at Jennifer, his voice hoarse and broken as he said, "I caused Nina’s death. And now, like a coward, I’m trying to hide her away. She will never forgive me."A flicker of disgust flashed in Jennifer’s eyes, but she quickly suppressed it."Nina has always been an obedient and understanding child. Her love for you runs deep in her bones. She will surely understand that everything you’re doing is for the good of this family."Standing beside me, my daughter scrunched up her tiny face, full of disdain."After everything he’s done, he can forget about my forgiveness!"Desperate for any lifeline, Patrick latched onto Jennifer’s words. A trace of self-deceiving relief flickered in his eyes."Yes, you’re right. Nina has always been the most considerate toward me. She wouldn’t hold this against me."Hearing this, Lily immediat

Just as I arrived, I overheard Jennifer speaking to Johnny, "Last time, I told you to frame that wench. I clearly said you needed to shed a little blood to make it look like a real heart condition, but you were too afraid of the pain."If I hadn’t been smart enough to bribe the doctor into exaggerating your illness, how else could we have gotten that woman to give up her heart for you? Do you really think Patrick would keep indulging you forever?"I’m warning you—if you don’t start listening to me, I won’t forgive you!"After saying this, she viciously kicked Johnny’s frail body, sending him crashing to the floor.Having vented her frustration, Jennifer casually adjusted her appearance. She pretended to be gentle, straightening the slightly askew birthday hat on Johnny’s head, and spoke in a sickeningly sweet tone, "Baby, when you see Daddy Patrick later, remember to be good. Make sure he doesn’t get too upset. Cling to him and remind him that today is your birthday. Ask him to sta