Killed by Dad's Criminals, Dissected by Mom

Chapter 6

Even the trace evidence expert couldn't help but tear up. "Captain Lin, you and Ms. Zhang should return to the station. We'll contact you with any updates."

My mother seemed oblivious, her gloved hand gently brushing over the bloodstains. "Emily must have been in so much pain."

The emotional officers at the precinct had already started to sob quietly. My parents climbed into the car, looking dazed. Seeing their vacant expressions made my heart ache. From the time I was found to my last moments, I never once heard them call me Emily.

It wasn't until Little John at the testing center handed my father the report, casting a sympathetic glance at my dazed mother. "Captain Lin, my condolences."

My father's pupils constricted instantly as he carefully examined the report, repeatedly confirming the name on it. After a long pause, he muttered through clenched teeth, "How is this possible?"

Little John looked at him with pity, patting my father's shoulder. "Captain Lin, the crime scene has been visited, and the body is in the autopsy room. None of this can be faked."

Suddenly, my mother lunged forward, tearing the report to shreds. She suddenly remembered something and fished out the ring she had taken from the body earlier. Seeing the faintly engraved "ls" on the inside, her tears fell onto the transparent evidence bag.

The police initially thought the engraving was the deceased's name. But in truth, it was the name I had dreamed of having when I returned to the Lin family.

My father helped my mother to her feet, taking slow, difficult steps into the autopsy room. Seeing my mangled, unrecognizable body, a low growl escaped his throat.

I watched them, confused. Why did they seem so pained? My departure should have been what they always hoped for. Yet here they were, grieving.

My mother gently touched the burn scars on my back, her voice trembling, "Emily, how did I find you in a place like this?"

"When you were first brought home, you were dark and skinny, like a tomboy. I even told your dad we'd need to fatten you up."

"But then everything changed. I hated your sneaky habits, your bullying of Sophia. If only you had never been taken away."

"You left us like this, wanting us to live forever in the pain of losing a daughter."

Men rarely cry, but my dad's eyes were red, his fists clenched tightly. "Emily, it's not that I didn't love you. I was strict because I wanted you to know your mistakes and change."

"If I had known that was our last call, I wouldn't have forced you to watch Sophia's tennis match. Didn't you have a math competition? Mom and Dad would have gone with you. Please, wake up."

I tried to take deep breaths, desperately holding back the tears that wanted to fall. If only they had talked to me when I was alive. But now, no matter how many heartfelt words they speak, I can never call them Mom and Dad again.

When they always believed everything Sophia said without question, the bond between me and this family had already been severed.

Sophia didn't hide her malice when I was brought back. She organized classmates to ostracize me. Bugs in my desk, glue on my chair—those were her tricks.

Yet she'd always complain to Mom and Dad, "Sister is so aloof at school. She doesn't talk to anyone. Does she not like me?"

Mom and Dad would sigh and tell me, "Emily, you're the older sister. Take care of Sophia."

"Sophia was with us all those years you were missing. You two should get along."

But they seemed to forget that during the years I was taken, I lived in rags, constantly beaten and scolded. To them, being found was my greatest fortune. I shouldn't have expected love from them.

My brother noticed my unease and suggested my parents change my name. But Sophia sabotaged that plan, "I saw sister taking something from Mom and Dad's room yesterday."

Dad found Mom's gold necklace in my backpack, his forehead veins pulsing, "You're not fit to be a Lin family child."

No one listened to my defense. From then on, my life at home became increasingly difficult.

I won an award at a math competition, and I saw rare praise on my parents' faces. But the next day, Sophia came home soaking wet. Crying, she jumped into Mom's arms, casting cautious glances at me.

That night, I was beaten all night long. Only after my brother interceded was I allowed back into my room.

Seeing that I could never shake her position in the family, Sophia became even bolder. While practicing tennis, she forced me to be her ball boy. She'd intentionally hit the ball hard at me, then complain to Mom and Dad that I wasn't serious.

In their eyes, I was just a helpless daughter who couldn't measure up. When my brother heard the news of my death, he abandoned his unfinished business trip and rushed back.