Chapter 3

The search operation continued.

The school office called Dad, saying I was missing.

"Leo hasn't been at school since yesterday evening. I asked his roommate, and they said he wasn't there all day yesterday."

"Commander Grant, can you reach Leo? The school has already notified the police to assist in the search."

Ms. Albright's voice on the phone was anxious, but Dad's face only showed deep impatience.

"Ms. Albright, Leo has always been a liar."

"He used to lie and skip classes all the time. Don't worry about him; he'll come back when he's done playing around."

"But..." Ms. Albright tried to say more, but Dad had already hung up.

Brandon was calling him.

"Dad, I'm feeling a little unwell. When will you be finished?"

The frown that had creased Dad's forehead because of me instantly smoothed away. He replied patiently to Brandon's question.

"Dad still needs a little more time."

"Brandon, where do you feel unwell? Is it serious? Should Dad take time off to come home and be with you?"

His patient words, his fussing attitude, made a pang shoot through my chest.

Since Mom left, Dad had never spoken to me in such a gentle tone. He always called me a murderer, saying our family broke apart because of me.

But Dad, I was your own son.

I wanted your concern too.

Even just one word.

That evening, Dad still took time off and went home.

Watching Brandon on the bed, with a dedicated nanny attending to him 24/7 and a professional doctor on standby whenever he felt unwell, Dad's eyes overflowed with undisguised concern.

"Brandon, how are you feeling?"

"Dad!" Brandon exclaimed, his eyes full of delight. He leaned in and hugged him.

Watching their heartwarming father-son moment, even as a ghost, my chest ached.

But I had no tears.

I could only watch Dad fuss over Brandon in bed.

After a long while, Brandon lifted his head from Dad's embrace, his eyes darting around speculatively as he tentatively asked Dad.

"Dad, didn't you say the search operation would take several days?"

"Have all those dismembered bodies been found?"

Dad's expression froze, and he instinctively asked.

"How do you know the bodies were dismembered?"

My spirits, which had been low, suddenly brightened, and I looked at Dad with anticipation.

Even if Dad didn't recognize the watch he'd given me, he couldn't possibly miss such an obvious clue, could he?

But Brandon easily diffused the tension with a single sentence.

"I saw it on the news."

"Dad, that person is so pathetic. I wonder how sad his family will be when they find out."

"It is pathetic, but we haven't confirmed the victim's identity yet. His family... probably doesn't know about his passing."

Dad echoed Brandon's words, completely unaware of the fleeting glint of triumph in Brandon's eyes.

The hope that had finally risen in my heart was snuffed out.

Dad, it was me!

You'd already noticed a discrepancy, and you still couldn't recognize me?

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