Chapter 3Next Life, I Want to Be a Happy Person

My mother was debating whether to tell the distraught father about the body they’d found—the timeline didn't quite match—when the man’s phone rang. A number he didn't recognize.

My mother’s police instincts kicked in immediately. She gestured for him to put it on speaker.

"Dad? I'm so sorry, my phone was stolen. I'm using a friend's. I'm okay, I'll be home in an hour."

The man sagged with relief, tears of joy streaming down his face. He staggered to his feet, leaning against the wall for support. As he left, he kept apologizing. "I'm so sorry to have bothered you, officers. Thank you."

My mother watched him go, her expression somber. "A child is a parent's whole world," she murmured. "Every time we get a missing persons case, the hardest part is watching the hope die in their parents' eyes."

I floated beside her, studying her face.

A child is a parent's world, Mom? Then what am I to you?

Just something you hate?

You feel pity for him, but you can't spare a single drop for me.

The task force worked around the clock for a day and a night, but came up with nothing. They were all exhausted and frustrated.

"How does a person just vanish without a single person noticing?"

"No one's even reported her missing."

"Maybe she was an orphan, or homeless."

Speculation flew around the conference room. Just then, the dispatch operator knocked and entered. "Captain Rostova, there's a call for you. They're specifically asking for you."

My mother took the phone, her brow furrowed.

"Captain Rostova? This is the manager at Chloe's internship. She hasn't shown up for work in three days, and we can't get in touch with her. I know you're her mother, so I'm calling to inform you. Consider this my official report, okay? If anything happens to her, the company isn't liable."

My mother’s temper, which had been simmering just below the surface, exploded. "What does that have to do with me? I'm warning you, if you ever tie up a public emergency line for her personal drama again, I'll charge you with obstructing justice."

My manager was so stunned he could only stammer an apology before quickly hanging up.

The conference room was silent. Everyone knew the Captain's temper.

It was Mark who finally broke the silence, using a file as an excuse to pull her into her office.

"Eva, this isn't right," he said, his voice low. "Three days no-show at work, her aunt can't reach her… What if something really has happened? I tried calling her just now while you were on the phone. Still no answer."

"I can take a couple of uniforms and go check on her," he offered.

My mother's face was like stone. "There is a victim lying on a cold slab in the morgue, waiting for justice," she said through gritted teeth. "There is a monster on the loose, and you want to waste manpower on her childish games?"

"She's just doing this to get out of the wedding. It's a pathetic stunt. Trust me, she'll come crawling back within three days."

She was right. In the past, no matter how much she hated me, how much she screamed at me, I always went to see her. Every few weeks, I’d stop by the precinct, even if the gifts I brought ended up in the trash.

I always came back.

But not this time, Mom.

This time, I'm already here.

I've been by your side all along.