Tears streamed down my face.
I truly regretted everything, regretted meeting Charles Anderson, regretted all that happened, and regretted arguing with my dad before I died.
All because Charles Anderson and I dated for years, but he never married me.
My dad advised me to break up, but I fought with them.
They never meant me harm; I brought this on myself.
Watching my parents, hunched and supporting each other as they left.
At this moment, I was filled with regret. Regret for ever meeting Charles Anderson, for everything that unfolded, and most painfully, for the argument with my dad just before I died.
I had been in a relationship with Charles for years, yet he wouldn’t commit to marrying me.
My dad advised me to break up with him, but instead, I argued passionately against it.
They never meant to hurt me; it was I who brought about my own suffering.
Watching my parents, bent over and leaning on each other for support as they walked away, shattered my heart.
I despised Charles, I despised David, and most of all, I despised myself.
Charles closed the door, frowned, and after a moment’s thought, tried calling me.
The call went unanswered, so he left a voicemail.
“Grace, can you stop this nonsense? Your parents are worried sick about you. What’s wrong with you?”
After hanging up, he quickly headed to the police station and bumped into Ethan Parker.
Ethan mentioned that the officers keeping an eye on David’s house reported he hadn’t returned yet.
Charles shook his head. “Something’s not right with this guy. If he has nothing to hide, why hasn’t he come home?”
Ethan agreed. “Exactly, which is why we’ve listed David as a prime suspect and launched a citywide search.”
Sighing, Charles asked Ethan, “Has anyone else reported a missing daughter?”
Ethan shook his head. “A few families have been contacted, but they all confirmed it’s not their daughter.”
Charles frowned. “We need to catch David first. Once we have him, the truth will surface.”
Just then, a police officer rushed in. “An elderly couple has reported that the deceased resembles their daughter. Should we bring them in for identification?”
Ethan nodded. “Bring them in.”
Five minutes later, my parents arrived, escorted by a female officer.
