Chapter 172

Davin's eagerness to find me explained his arrival. Disappointment, however, was etched on his face as he sighed. My mother grumbled; my father joined in, pointing accusingly at me. Derek remained silent, his gaze fixed coldly on a statue.

"Just hold on a bit longer," I said.

Chase shot Derek an annoyed look. "Hold on for what? You tricked me into leaving, then brought everyone back for some kind of investigation. What are you getting at? Do you think I killed Amanda and hid her here?"

"What matters isn't important right now. Wait for the results," Derek replied, his demeanor unwavering. No one dared challenge him.

My mother's complaints subsided; my father, though still annoyed, contained his frustration. Then, a car sped in. Someone leaped out, excitedly shouting,

"We got it, Robert! We found it!" He clutched a report.

Robert, burdened by the situation, asked, "What did you find?"

"The body! It's in the statue!"

"No way! We just looked; there's nothing there," Chase retorted instantly.

The officer, catching his breath, explained, "There's no body because someone mixed the victim's flesh and blood into the building material! We found the victim's DNA on the surface, matching the blood on the wedding dress. The body was pulverized and completely integrated into the statue!"

Everyone's faces paled. Chase grabbed the man by the collar. "What are you saying?"

"Mr. Reyes, I know this is difficult to accept, but our tests confirm it. We're taking the entire sculpture for further forensic analysis."

A weight lifted from my chest. The truth was finally out.

Chase erupted. "Are you telling me this statue is…Amanda?"

The officer nodded cautiously. "You could say that."

My mother fainted; Chase collapsed. He lay on the ground, murmuring, "No way, no way…my Amanda…how could she become this…" He shakily rose, stumbling toward the statue of me. I watched him, remembering how he'd once braved danger to find me in the mountains. Back then, he had only eyes and love for me. But Chase, what happened to you?

Chapter 72

Chase, trudging unevenly through the snow, seemed to sense my gaze. He looked at me, disbelief etched on his face. "Wan? Amanda? Is that you?"

Yes, he finally saw my spirit. I stood in the snow, barefoot, in a white dress.

"Chase," I said.

"Amanda, I knew they were lying. You were coming back. We promised to grow old together, to…"

The cold wind whipped through my hair. I locked eyes with him. "The biggest mistake of my life was meeting you."

"No, no, Amanda, I'm sorry. I didn't mean for this to happen. I didn't want this, I really…" Tears streamed down Chase's cheeks as he stumbled closer. "Amanda, who did this to you? Tell me. I'll make it right."

My eyes drifted to Nicole. "The person who hurt me is…"

My voice failed; my body began to fade. Chase lunged forward, but as he reached me, my body shattered into countless pieces, scattering like silver-white butterflies.

Was I finally free?

Chase yelled, "Amanda, no!!!" He reached, but only hastened my disappearance. With a snap, the rosary beads in his hand broke.

[The past dissolves. Overnight, a new chapter begins with a new name and identity.]