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.

Andy's gaze towards Ruby grew increasingly tender.

Each time he planned a movie outing with me, Ruby was inevitably included.

At meals, he would habitually serve her.

These gestures sparked numerous quarrels between Andy and me.

He would look at me with a mix of frustration and weariness. He frowned as he explained, "Nora, I've told you countless times that Ruby is like a sister to me, and she's quite dependent. Can you please stop overthinking things?"

Yet, he remained oblivious to Ruby's manipulative tactics.

Ruby crafted a secretive social media post, visible only to me, brazenly declaring: [What is mine will always come back to me.]

I retaliated by blocking her, only to be met with her taunting whisper, "Nora, Andy gifts me a present every year for my birthday. What about you?"

My fists clenched as I fought the urge to strike back.

On my birthday, she feigned illness, luring Andy away and seizing my birthday gift- a necklace that should have adorned my neck, now glinting around hers.

"Nora, I merely commented on its beauty, and Andy gifted it to me. Do you think it suits me?"

Unable to endure her provocation any longer, I struck out.

The following day, Andy stormed in, demanding an explanation with anger.

"Nora, why are you becoming increasingly unreasonable?

"Ruby simply admired that necklace. You have so many others. What harm could it do to let her have it?"

I gazed at him coldly, momentarily dazed.

It seemed like only yesterday when he praised my gentleness and charm.

Now, with the scales of his heart tipping away from me, each action of mine could displease him.