She Disappeared for Seven Years

Seven years after my death, the person who murdered me was finally arrested and imprisoned.

The killer, a notorious crime boss, showed no change in expression during the live court proceedings as he listened to the verdict.

As the officer finished reading the list of victims, his hoarse voice cut in slowly:

Ones missing. The one I killed when I first started, the one who died the most brutally.

Amend the verdict for me, and Ill tell you whos missing.

A chilling silence fell over the courtroom, broken only by the judges stern refusal:

Your crimes are heinous. You have no right to negotiate.

The crime boss waved his hand, confidently looking at the lead detective among the officers, Ryan Donovan.

Cassie Sterling. Detective Donovan, do you know her? Dont you want to know where she died?

In the dead silence, Ryan endured everyones stares, speaking each word distinctly:

The person youre referring to, she did exist. But Cassie Sterling isnt dead. Shes not an officer anymore, but a fugitive who disappeared seven years ago.

To make everyone believe him, the crime boss confessed the entire torture process in court.

How he and his accomplices had knocked me unconscious and assaulted me.

How they had pulled out my fingernails and teeth, coercing me for information about police informants.

She screamed terribly, but she refused to say anything. Out of sympathy I killed her, then personally disposed of the body.

As he calmly narrated, countless people held their breath, hearts constricting.

Only Ryans eyes burned with fury, his body rigid and straight.

Keep acting. People like you, have compassion for cops? Ha.

The crime boss asked for a cigarette.

Ive killed so many people over the years C those who betrayed me, those who stole business on the street, those who owed me money Ive never regretted it. She was the only one I ever felt guilty about.

But Ryan merely sneered.

He suddenly stood up, his voice ringing out clearly:

I dont believe a single word youre saying.

The crime boss shook his head helplessly.

The time, the events, the participants Ive revealed everything I can. No need to lie to you. Anyway now, only I know where shes buried. Whether you want to give me leniency in my sentencing in exchange for information on her body, thats up to you.

His superiors called for a recess, intending to pull him back for further interrogation.

The public also demanded the police fully investigate.

Only Ryan vehemently opposed it.

He stormed into his superiors office, pounding the desk.

His superior lost his temper, too, sternly ordering him to personally lead the excavation at the site the drug trafficker described.

The police cruiser roared to life.

The accelerator was floored.

Watching the rage barely suppressed on his face, my heart was consumed by a sense of helplessness.

He probably genuinely believed I had willingly fallen from grace back then.

For money, I had betrayed my ideals, and I had betrayed him.

And now, I was supposedly disrupting the new life he and Selene Vance had just begun.

But he didnt know.

I, the "old me," was abandoned in the damp, cold underground.

Suffering for seven years.

Seven years, and he seemed to have changed so little.

His face was firm and righteous, his physique lean and tall.

Only, he spoke less, his emotions buried deeper.

The silent flash of red and blue police lights cut through the mountain road, stopping at a desolate field overgrown with withered grass.

It was the dead of winter, the ground frozen solid.

A shovel strike only left a white mark on the surface.

He took command of the scene.

First, soften the ground with fire. The wind is strong; extend the downwind isolation zone by another five meters.

Selene Vance emerged from the volunteer team, unlatching a thermos.

Drink some hot water, Ryan. Youve completely shredded your voice.

Ryan took a sip, asking softly:

Why are you here?

Its crowded and chaotic here; you should go home soon.

Selene rested her head on his shoulder, her voice filled with worry.

I watched the trial.

Do you think it could be true?

Ryan scoffed dismissively, but didnt answer.

He simply ran his fingers through the womans long hair, smoothing it from top to end, then curling a strand around his finger.

Just like he used to comfort me.

Back then, both our fathers were detectives.

They worked together, went on missions together, and ultimately died in the line of duty together.

During the wake, I clung to him, seeing him as my only support.

He held me just as tightly, his hand smoothing my hair from the top of my head to the ends, then curling a strand around his finger.

From that moment, we became inseparable.

Later, we both got into the police academy, inheriting our fathers badge numbers.

We were partners with shared ideals, and lovers completely devoted to each other.

Before we got married, my mother laughed through her tears:

You scoundrel, you stole my daughters heart.

Ryan possessively pulled me into his embrace.

Not at all, Auntie. You just gained a son.

Dont worry, I promise Ill never let Cassie suffer an ounce of injustice in her life.

And he kept his word.

If I wanted to reopen an old case, he would pull several all-nighters to organize the case files.

If I encountered armed criminals during a patrol, he would selflessly shield me with his body.

I couldnt eat spicy food, and the man who couldnt live without it hadnt touched a single chili pepper for years after we got married.

Back then, we both believed there was no bond stronger than that of partners and comrades.

Who could have known?

This relationship ultimately crumbled because of a woman rescued from a drug den.

I observed Selene Vances alluring face.

It was hard to imagine that in just a few short years, she had transformed from a seductive streetwalker into a charming, sophisticated woman.

Perhaps a womans tears were the ultimate weapon against a mans steely heart.

After Selene was rescued, she would often call Ryan late at night.

Crying about not being able to find a good job, crying about how everyone discriminated against her for having been a prostitute and a drug addict.

Ryans heart was softened by her tears.

Pity and compassion sprouted like spring grass, growing uncontrollably.

He brought her home, subsidizing her entirely with his salary, under the guise of cleaning fees.

All household expenses fell on me, and we lived from paycheck to paycheck.

Several times I tried to fire Selene, but he always insisted:

Cassie, Selene is very fragile and has suffered too much. We have to help her.

But over Ryans shoulder, I clearly saw her eyes filled with defiance, directed at me.

I was furious. I grabbed her hair and dragged her out the door.

She clutched her aching scalp, her tear-filled eyes seeming to hold back a thousand words.

And Ryan, the man who had once sworn to protect me with his lifemy lover, my partner.

He didnt hesitate to raise his hand against me.

I was slapped to the ground.

He, meanwhile, cupped Selenes face, gently wiping away the tear streaks from her eyes with his thumb.

Dont cry. I told you, no one will ever bully you again.

Then, he looked down and coldly reprimanded me:

When are you going to change your arrogant nature?

Selene is also a victim. Are you worthy of the badge you wear by treating her like this?

But in this betrayed relationship, werent he and Selene colluding to abuse me?

A thousand words clogged my chest in that instant.

Ultimately, I just quietly packed my bags and moved into the police dormitory.

Aside from work-related interactions, I didnt speak another word to him.

I actually knew that he and Selene had never had any physical relationship.

I just couldnt swallow it.

He had given the tenderness and pampering that once belonged to me to another woman.

Yet, all the responsibilities of our marriage were left for me to bear.

We remained in this stalemate for a long time.

Every day, I thought, maybe tomorrow well make up.

But the next day, the words died on my lips, replaced by a fresh wave of resentment.

Sadly, fate had other plans, arriving sooner than any tomorrow.

I never waited for him to come back to me.

Instead, I unexpectedly discovered.

Selene Vance had an undisclosed connection with the criminal organization we had been investigating for so long.

A sudden surge of activity interrupted my memories.

The crowd suddenly erupted.

They dug it out!

Careful, give them a hand!

Ryan was stunned, blurting out:

Impossible!

You just wanted to see me disheveled and covered in sweat, right? There cant actually be bones

His voice was low, like he was talking to himself.

Selene, biting her lip, looked worried.

Ryan, do you think Cassie wouldnt have killed someone, would she?

She always had a fiery temper; shes capable of anything when pushed too far

Ryans lips instantly tightened, his muscles tensing.

He strode into the crowd.

Ill go take a look over there.

I hovered over the remaining fragments of bone, the cold wind whistling through the gaps, making me scoff.

This was the true meaning of bone-chilling cold.

He brushed the dirt from the fragments.

Through his gloves, I could feel the warmth of his fingertips.

My spirit trembled. Suddenly, I really didnt want him to see me like this.

If I could, I would rather him remember me.

Forever the strong, headstrong, and vibrant girl.

But now, I could only silently look up at the man I once loved.

Lingering over the faint warmth of his fingertips as they grazed my remains.

The coroner collected the bones, and the crowd gradually dispersed.

Ryan remained alone in the spot.

Until the faint morning light, when he suddenly pulled out his phone, frantically dialing a number.

Beep beep

The number you have dialed is not in service. Please check the number and try again.

The wind in the desolate field was cold, turning his nose red.

A few choked sobs were broken by the harsh wind.

Cassie, this isnt real

This is a prank, right?

A pair of arms wrapped around his neck, the womans breath warm against his ear.

Selenes voice trembled:

Ryan.

Do you still have feelings for her

Ryans body gave a sudden jolt.

A silence heavy with unspoken emotions.

He placed his hand over the womans lower abdomen, sighing softly.

Its all in the past.

Now, I only have you and the baby.

Selenes arms tightened around him, and she sobbed softly.

Ryan, Im so afraid youll leave

Ive given you everything. Please, dont betray me.

Seven years had smoothed out my temper.

Now, I could calmly appreciate her performance.

This woman was born with two faces.

Always vulnerable and pitiful with Ryan; but full of resentment and defiance towards me.

Sometimes I truly wondered, did we have a blood feud?

Why did she hate me so much!

It wasnt until my dying moments that I finally understood.

Yes, we did.

Her father had died by my fathers and Ryans fathers gunshots while resisting arrest with a firearm.

Stripped of protection, she quickly became a shared plaything of the gang.

Do you know what I hated most about you?

She squatted in front of me, her voice sinister.

We both lost our fathers, so why did you live so easily?

Your classmates and neighbors cared for you even more than before, and no uncles or older men ever reached into your underwear.

Im smarter than you, prettier than you, and I understand peoples hearts better. But why did Ryan still love you more?!

I suddenly understood.

It turned out both love and hate wound equally.

Selene Vance had originally planned to avenge her fathers death on Ryan and me.

But unexpectedly, she fell in love with Ryan.

Thus, her hatred for me intensified.