The sharp fruit knife sliced through my calf.

With a heavy limp, I staggered alone towards the clinic downstairs, desperate for a bandage to staunch the flow of blood.

But fate dealt me a cruel hand. On my way home, some shadowy figures yanked me into an empty alley.

They pinned me down to rape me.

I clutched my stomach.

With my last ounce of strength, I frantically dialed Andy for help.

Call after call, my cries fell on deaf ears.

Each time, the line went dead, a cold disconnection echoing my fading hope.

Just as my final breath was about to escape, a chilling message illuminated my phone's screen.

"Nora, unless you personally apologize to Ruby, don't expect my forgiveness."

The gang, with cold indifference, plucked the SIM card from my phone and cast it into the murky depths of the sewer.

As a ghostly spectator, I watched from the sidelines.

They dismembered my body to pack the pieces like macabre cargo and hurled them into the same sewer.

Andy would never know the depth of my despair when my calls for help were met with a brutal hang-up. Each silence was a dagger to my soul.

They would never hear my apology.

As Andy burst back into the special case team, the police were already painstakingly reassembling my fragmented body.

It began with a trail of blood, a gruesome clue that led to the discovery of my dismembered remains.

The sight was so horrific that the seasoned criminal investigators themselves were overcome by the stench and retched uncontrollably.

The assistant, Max Blake, handed over the preliminary findings to Andy.

Clad in gloves and a mask, Andy steeled himself to examine the state of the body. His analytical mind was battling the waves of nausea.

"The deceased is a female, aged between 24 and 27.

"She suffered multiple injuries, resulting in significant blood loss.

"Additionally, her lower abdomen was severely damaged, with evidence of internal bleeding..."

Andy paused and delivered the crushing revelation.

"It's likely that she was approximately two months pregnant."

The room gasped in unison, a collective intake of breath at the heinousness of the crime.

"Monstrous!" someone muttered under their breath.

"Utterly savage. Even a pregnant woman wasn't spared!"

"And this looks like a meticulously planned murder!"

All eyes were heavy with expectation. Andy's eyes lingered on my body.

His brow was furrowed in deep thought.

"It appears that she's missing two fingers on the right hand."

It was then that the team noticed the absence of my ring and index fingers.

My heart lurched.

On my right ring finger, a small black mole adorned my skin like a sinister mark of identity.

I thought, "Could it be that the murderers feared my identity would be revealed? Had they callously severed my fingers?"

I hovered nearby and observed Andy's every reaction.

Would he recognize me?

"Has anyone reported a missing person in the past few days?"

Andy inquired casually, removing his gloves.

His astuteness was undeniable.

If a nearby report had surfaced, it would likely stem from a family member of the victim, significantly narrowing the scope of identity verification.

Max shook his head, handing Andy a towel.

"None of the recent reports have been for missing persons."

Andy nodded. "Then we'll have to wait a bit longer. Let's start by sending the victim's tissue for DNA testing."

Just then, his phone rang out.

A message from Ruby flashed on the screen.

It was a selfie of her donning a slender slip dress. She was stirring soup in her kitchen with a playful smile.

"Andy, when you're done with work, come over for dinner. I've made your favorite mushroom soup especially for you."

Upon seeing Ruby's message, Andy eased his furrowed brow. His eyes were softening with a tender light.

I watched him, lost in thought.

I recalled the early days of our marriage when Andy was equally attentive to me.

His gaze upon me was always brimming with affection and care.

He would cook delicate soups for me and prepare light-flavored dishes that I adored.

I loved concerts, so he would endure the early morning queues to secure tickets for me, unbothered by the dark circles under his eyes.

After work, he would envelop me in a gentle embrace, holding me close.

He whispered, "Nora, let's have a child of our own someday. I hope she can be as adorable as you."

I yearned for this happiness to continue unfurling like a cherished dream.

Yet, such bliss was ephemeral.

It was soon shattered by the arrival of Ruby, whose parents' death led her back from abroad, disheveled and alone.

Andy, once wholly devoted to me, began to stay away for days on end.

Initially, he would offer explanations. "Nora, I can't watch a movie with you today. Ruby is running a high fever, and the doctor says she's lost the will to live. I must care for her."

Ruby and Andy had grown up together.

He spoke of how her parents had supported him in his youth. Now, with Ruby in distress, he felt compelled to assist, unable to abandon her in her time of need.

I empathized, striving to understand his predicament.

Yet, his concern for Ruby escalated. His thoughts were increasingly consumed by her well-being until he transferred his entire focus away from our shared life.