Chapter 4
When my parents found out that I was missing, they took the first flight to A City.
When they arrived, Robin wasn’t home. He had gone to work, moving through life in a haze, even running a red light on the way.
Mom and Dad arrived at our home to find the once–cozy house now a mess.
They unlocked the drawer beside the bedside table and found the letter I had written.
It was just two short lines:
yr daughter is unfilial. I can’t stay with you anymore. Please take care of Eve after I’m gone.”
Mom–trembled as she held the thin piece of paper.
“Old Lin, what does this mean? What did Eden do?”
Dad, usually so sturdy, seemed to collapse at the sight of the letter.
“What has Eden gone through this year?” he whispered.
When Robin came home, he was surprised to see them there.
“Mom, Dad, what are you doing here?”
Mom rushed at him in a frenzy, slapping him.
“Give me my daughter back! Give me my daughter back”
Robin’s eyes flickered with hope.
“Is Eden back? Did she say something to you? Vera and I really have nothing between us. She’s better now, and from now on, I’ll focus on taking care of the family.”
Although they didn’t know who Vera was, my parents immediately understood what was happening.
Dall looked at Robin, disgust evident on his face.
“Letting Eden marry you was the biggest mistake of my lifer
Mom threw my letter at Robin
“Take a look at this.”
Robin glanced at the letter, a knowing expression on his face.
“Mom, Dad, do you really believe this? Eden is just angry with me. I admit I’ve neglected her lately, but I will make it up to her.”
“This letter? She’s just trying to threaten me, trying to make me feel guilty.”
My parents saw right through his excuses.
“Robin, Eden would never joke like this.”
*Impossible. Impossible?” Robin shouted, his voice breaking. “How could Eden be selfish enough to do this?”
Selfish?
As I drifted in and out of consciousness, I remembered hearing Robin say that before.
It was when I had threatened to kill myself to get him to choose between me and Vera.
my
I had held a knife in front of him, demanding that Vera leave, or I would end it all. Robią had called me selfish, heartless, accusing me of thinking only
14:22
Butchered by Love
Chapter 4
of myself
But Robin, everything you have now, everything you are–it’s because of me I supported you through your studies, through every job intervient every boring experiment. Without me, you would still be stuck in the mud.
How could you call me selfish?
Finally, my body was retrieved from the bottom of the river.
Having been submerged for days, my face was already decayed beyond recognition, unrecognizable.
The police conducted DNA tests, confirming my identity.
They called Robin.
“Hello, is this Robin Bright, the husband of Eden Bruce? Eden passed away three days ago by drowning in the river. Please come to the hospital to claim her body.”
Robin was in disbelief, thinking it was a scam.
“What are you talking about? Eden would never commit suicide. You must be trying to trick me.”
The police were patient, even reading out Robin’s personal information.
“We are at the city hospital, Mr. Bright. Please come as soon as possible.”
Robin hesitated.
“Is Eden pulling another one of her tricks? Why would she be at the hospital?”
Still unsure, he made his way there.
When he saw the police at the hospital, panir set in
“Mr. Bright, are you Eden’s husband?”
Robin stiffened and nodded.
“Eden Bruce passed away three days ago. This is her death certificate. If there are no issues, please sign here.”
Robin stared at the glaring “suicide” marked on the report. He couldn’t believe it.
“Officer, you must be mistaken. This isn’t Eden”
The officer handed him further proof
“Eden, born in 1997, married to you two years ago, left her job a year ago after giving birth to your child to become a stay–at–home mom. Does this information sound familiar?”
Robin’s face drained of color. He couldn’t bring himself to look at the report. Instead, his eyes were fixed on the reflection of the floor beneath him. After a long pause, he seemed to snap back to something
“I get it. I get it now. Eden must have set this up. You’re all actors trying to trick me. Where is she? Where is she now?”
The officer looked at Robin with pity in his eyes.
“Mr. Bright, please accept our condolences.*
“Condolences? Condolences for what? Eden didn’t die. She’s not dead!” Robin screamed, his voice hoarse.
The officers sighed and left.
