Farewell, The One I Love the Most

When the autopsy report was released, even the seasoned police officers furrowed their brows.

The report stated clearly: [The deceased was a young woman under twenty-five, who had suffered severe abuse and multiple fractures before death.]

Although stabbed thirty-seven times, none of the wounds were fatal; the actual cause of death was suffocation.

After death, her face was disfigured with concentrated sulfuric acid, and all her fingerprints were erased.

The head of the criminal investigation team, Tony Smith, closed the autopsy report with a mix of sorrow and anger, "Son of a bitch, absolutely inhuman!"

Dad's expression remained neutral, his years in the field having cultivated a remarkably calm demeanor.

"Our first order of business is to find the killer and identify the victim as soon as possible," he stated.

Captain Smith, noticing a pink thread on Dad's sleeve, queried, "Where did this come from?"

A soft smile briefly crossed Dad's typically stern face as he pocketed the thread.

"Sophie's teddy bear lost an ear, and I sewed it back on recently."

Tony looked astonished. "Your hands that dissect corpses can also mend toys?"

Dad shot him a wry look. "Stitching is my specialty, you know that."

Tony smirked. "Sophie's getting old for a teddy bear, isn't she?"

Dad stood up, his tone firm, "No matter her age, she's still my little girl. And she's been without her mother since she was young. I owe it to her to make up for that loss in any way I can."

As he was about to leave, Tony caught his arm.

"Harper, you've got two daughters. You're great with Sophie, why not show Emily some of that kindness?"

At the mention of my name, Dad bristled and pulled away. "Don't bring her up! She's no daughter of mine!"

Tony sighed, "I know you're still torn up about your wife's death, but Emily was just a little girl back then, it wasn't her fault..."

"Enough!" Dad cut him off sharply, "Intentional or not, wasn't it all her doing? She killed her mother! She's wrecked Sophie's life, she's been nothing but a curse on our family, I will never forgive her!"

Dad stormed out, leaving Tony behind. They had been comrades for years, but because of me, he showed no mercy.

My ghostly form crouched on the ground curled up.

Oh, how I wished I could tell him - I didn't kill Mom...