Love and Hatred Run Bone-Deep

The investigation into the explosion concluded that a woman had stolen confidential business secrets while her boyfriend was in a coma following a car accident. When the man's mother discovered what she was up to and tried to stop her, the woman killed her boyfriend's mother, caused an explosion, and fled.

Only one set of remains was found at the scene—Jane.

I don't know how the authorities had come to that conclusion. All I knew was that my remains were treated like garbage and disposed of without a care.

Money could turn black to white. It could also turn a dead person into a fleeing murderer.

My femur was polished into round beads and strung into a bracelet. It was then given to Evan as a gift to celebrate his survival and new life.

He accepted the gift and inspected it closely. He then complained about Peter being stingy, saying that he could've done better and gotten him something of better quality.

After that, he asked, "Where are Corinne and my mom?"

With reddened eyes, Cecilia told him this absurd story.

Of course, Evan didn't believe it. But everything was laid down in black and white, leaving no room for dispute.

He smashed everything in the hospital room, including that bracelet, which he threw to the ground with all his might.

Human bones were hard, so the bracelet didn't break.

Peter picked it up and said, "Evan, Cece and I will always stand by you."

Evan used every means to find me. My mom, after being rescued, was in a coma for a long time. When she woke up, she was weak and mentally unstable. The former university professor had become a madwoman in everyone's eyes.

If that incident hadn't happened, Evan and I would've been married soon. But now, his fiancée was someone else.

Cecilia looked radiant and beautiful. She pouted and grumbled, "You're so late, Evan. Peter has already helped me try on several dresses."

Evan apologized repeatedly.

Peter's gaze fell on the bracelet on Evan's wrist. He smirked and said, "I remember you complaining about the quality of that bracelet, but you haven't taken it off in three years. It's grown on you, huh?"

Evan smiled, touching the beads absentmindedly. "After all, it's a gift from you and Cece. It carries a special meaning."

I smiled bitterly to myself. Indeed, it certainly carried a special meaning.

Peter seemed pleased with Evan's response, while a hint of disgust flashed in Cecilia's eyes.

Still, her tone remained gentle as she said, "Evan, why don't you throw it away? I can get you a new one to symbolize our love."

Evan shook his head and looked down at the smooth beads. "It brings me peace."

Peter laughed, patting him on the shoulder. "Glad you like it."

As soon as they sat down, Evan's assistant, Aaron Carroll, called. "Mr. Lane, we've located the owner of the pasta restaurant that Ms. Peele used to visit. He still remembers her."

Evan's expression shifted slightly, and he quickly made an excuse to leave.

The shop owner, Leo Stanton, remembered me vividly.

He recounted, "That young lady always came here carrying lots of bags. She said her fiancé had been in a car accident and needed her care. She stayed by his side every moment. I even asked her what she'd do if he never woke up or suffered some serious health complications. She told me she didn't care and would marry him no matter what."

Evan was taken aback upon hearing what Leo said. He pressed on, "And then?"

"Then I had to go back to my hometown for some family issues," Leo replied.

He paused for a bit and added, "There was a guy who kept bothering her back then. At first, he seemed to like her, but then it got creepy. He'd grab and yank her forcefully. He even hit her sometimes. I couldn't stand it and stepped in a few times."

"Do you remember what he looked like?" Evan asked.

"I have a vague memory of him," Leo said, trying to remember the man's face.

As he tried to remember him, his gaze landed on Evan's phone wallpaper. He pointed at it and exclaimed, "That's the guy! Do you know him?"

The wallpaper was a photo of Evan with Cecilia and Peter.

Leo was pointing at Peter's smiling face.