Three years ago, my fiancé's childhood friends murdered and framed me. They ground my leg bones and turned them into beads to make a bracelet. Then, they gave it to my fiancé after he woke up from an accident.

He hated me to the core and wore the bracelet symbolizing his rebirth as he utilized all his resources to find me. He even placed my weak and crazed mother under house arrest to force me to appear.

Three years later, during his and his childhood sweetheart's engagement party, a renowned jewel appraiser points out that the bracelet he's had this whole time isn't made of regular bone—it's made of human bone.

Three years after my death, Evan Lane still refused to let go of me.

Today was also the third anniversary of his mother's death—Jane Coney had coincidentally died on this day too. He came to my house again and looked around the empty room.

He then shouted at my mom, "Where is Corinne? Is she back?"

My mom, Jemima Brooking, flinched and hid her hands behind her back. She shook her head in confusion and mumbled pitifully, "I don't know. Please just leave me alone."

"Leave you alone?" Evan asked through gritted teeth.

He reached out and grabbed her arm. A stale, cold half of a hardened bun fell from her withered hand to the ground.

Evan crushed it mercilessly under his foot and accused, "If it weren't for you egging her on, she wouldn't have run away. Stop pretending to be all innocent and pitiful!"

"Cori didn't run away!" My mom defended me.

Tears rolled down her cheeks as she whispered, "She couldn't come home. She can't come back."

"Three years, and she didn't even come and take a look at me even once!" Evan bellowed. He then spat mockingly, "How heartless can she be?"

My room was arranged exactly as it was three years ago. My photo was still on the table.

Evan picked it up and threw it to the floor violently.

My mom lunged forward to stop him while crying out, "That's the only remaining photo I have of Cori! Give it back to me! Give it back!"

Her cries of anguish fell on deaf ears. Evan tore my photo to pieces ruthlessly. My mom sobbed inconsolably as she clutched the torn pieces to her chest.

This wasn't enough to quell Evan's rage. His bloodshot eyes soon landed on my desk, and he was ready to cause more damage. However, my mom shoved him away like a madwoman.

Trembling all over, she shouted at Evan hysterically, "Don't touch Cori's things! You're on the same side as those who killed her! You all caused my daughter's death!"

Evan stumbled back a few steps from the force. As he looked at my mom's bloodstained hands, he was stunned and unable to respond.

Just then, his phone rang, and Cecilia's sweet voice came through the speaker. "Evan, where are you? Come help me pick out a wedding dress. Peter's here too. The three of us haven't gotten together in ages."

Evan softened his tone and replied, "Alright, I'll be right over."

Before he left, he gave my mom one last warning. "She'd better be dead, or I'll make sure she suffers a fate worse than death!"

My mom stared blankly at his retreating figure and muttered, "Cori is dead."

Yes, I was dead.

Three years ago, when he was in a coma after a car accident, I had already been killed. It was his childhood sweetheart, Cecilia Rachlin, and most trusted bosom friend, Peter Hoffman, who dismembered my body.

Peter even suggested using my femur to make a bracelet as a gift for Evan. He wanted me to witness Evan ending up with someone else and that I would never find peace, even in death.

When Peter said that, his eyes were filled with unbridled excitement. He hated Evan and couldn't wait to see his reaction once he found out about the truth.

Peter had always been like that. His childhood jealousy had grown into a sick and twisted sense of resentment. He despised Evan's perfect life and wanted to destroy him.

Cecilia agreed.

After dealing with me, they turned to Jane and my mom, who had witnessed the entire crime.

It was my birthday that day, and Jane had invited my mom over to celebrate. She said that even though Evan was still in a coma, they shouldn't neglect me. They had brought some groceries and came to my house, where they witnessed my murder when they arrived at the doorstep.

Cecilia was still hesitating about what to do when Peter walked over to them ominously, holding a bloodied hammer.

Jane died on the spot and was dragged into the garage. My mom, barely alive, crawled slowly and desperately out the door. She tried to get help.

The long trail of blood on the ground was horrifying.

My femur was removed, and the rest of me was left in a pile with Jane's corpse.

And just like that, two living people were reduced to a heap of trash in no time.

Peter ignited the car's gas tank. Flames shot up, and the explosion engulfed everything in its wake, burying the truth.

My birthday had become Jane's death anniversary—it became my death anniversary too.

The investigation into the explosion concluded that a woman had stolen confidential business secrets while her boyfriend was in a coma following a car accident. When the man's mother discovered what she was up to and tried to stop her, the woman killed her boyfriend's mother, caused an explosion, and fled.

Only one set of remains was found at the scene—Jane.

I don't know how the authorities had come to that conclusion. All I knew was that my remains were treated like garbage and disposed of without a care.

Money could turn black to white. It could also turn a dead person into a fleeing murderer.

My femur was polished into round beads and strung into a bracelet. It was then given to Evan as a gift to celebrate his survival and new life.

He accepted the gift and inspected it closely. He then complained about Peter being stingy, saying that he could've done better and gotten him something of better quality.

After that, he asked, "Where are Corinne and my mom?"

With reddened eyes, Cecilia told him this absurd story.

Of course, Evan didn't believe it. But everything was laid down in black and white, leaving no room for dispute.

He smashed everything in the hospital room, including that bracelet, which he threw to the ground with all his might.

Human bones were hard, so the bracelet didn't break.

Peter picked it up and said, "Evan, Cece and I will always stand by you."

Evan used every means to find me. My mom, after being rescued, was in a coma for a long time. When she woke up, she was weak and mentally unstable. The former university professor had become a madwoman in everyone's eyes.

If that incident hadn't happened, Evan and I would've been married soon. But now, his fiancée was someone else.

Cecilia looked radiant and beautiful. She pouted and grumbled, "You're so late, Evan. Peter has already helped me try on several dresses."

Evan apologized repeatedly.

Peter's gaze fell on the bracelet on Evan's wrist. He smirked and said, "I remember you complaining about the quality of that bracelet, but you haven't taken it off in three years. It's grown on you, huh?"

Evan smiled, touching the beads absentmindedly. "After all, it's a gift from you and Cece. It carries a special meaning."

I smiled bitterly to myself. Indeed, it certainly carried a special meaning.

Peter seemed pleased with Evan's response, while a hint of disgust flashed in Cecilia's eyes.

Still, her tone remained gentle as she said, "Evan, why don't you throw it away? I can get you a new one to symbolize our love."

Evan shook his head and looked down at the smooth beads. "It brings me peace."

Peter laughed, patting him on the shoulder. "Glad you like it."

As soon as they sat down, Evan's assistant, Aaron Carroll, called. "Mr. Lane, we've located the owner of the pasta restaurant that Ms. Peele used to visit. He still remembers her."

Evan's expression shifted slightly, and he quickly made an excuse to leave.

The shop owner, Leo Stanton, remembered me vividly.

He recounted, "That young lady always came here carrying lots of bags. She said her fiancé had been in a car accident and needed her care. She stayed by his side every moment. I even asked her what she'd do if he never woke up or suffered some serious health complications. She told me she didn't care and would marry him no matter what."

Evan was taken aback upon hearing what Leo said. He pressed on, "And then?"

"Then I had to go back to my hometown for some family issues," Leo replied.

He paused for a bit and added, "There was a guy who kept bothering her back then. At first, he seemed to like her, but then it got creepy. He'd grab and yank her forcefully. He even hit her sometimes. I couldn't stand it and stepped in a few times."

"Do you remember what he looked like?" Evan asked.

"I have a vague memory of him," Leo said, trying to remember the man's face.

As he tried to remember him, his gaze landed on Evan's phone wallpaper. He pointed at it and exclaimed, "That's the guy! Do you know him?"

The wallpaper was a photo of Evan with Cecilia and Peter.

Leo was pointing at Peter's smiling face.

Peter had indeed harassed me before. It wasn't out of affection but of malicious desire. He wanted everything Evan had; if he couldn't get it, he'd take it by force. If he couldn't make it his, then he'd destroy it.

That was how despicable and deceitful Peter was, yet he was a master at hiding it.

Evan, how could you keep being fooled by him?

This time, I thought he'd believe their lies again. But to my surprise, he went to confront Peter.

After a few rounds of drinks, everyone was a bit tipsy. Evan suddenly asked, "Peter, are we good friends?"

Peter laughed and responded, "Of course, what kind of question is that?"

Evan went on, "I spoke with someone who knew Corinne today. They told me that while I was in a coma, you harassed her and even hit her. Did you two have some kind of conflict?"

He wasn't smiling as he stared at Peter intently. "Why?"

Peter's expression remained unchanged. However, Cecilia quickly chimed in, "Why else? To argue with her, obviously! You were still in the hospital back then, and she didn't even care.

"Instead, she went off with other men. Peter tried to talk some sense into her. If we'd known she was so shameless, we wouldn't have been so nice to her. We could've prevented Mrs. Lane's death if we'd realized that sooner."

As the conversation shifted to Jane, a brief silence came over them.

Peter slowly added, "I want nothing but to keep my distance from such a toxic woman. You listen to people too easily. Don't be fooled. For all we know, she could be hiding nearby and spying on you. I bet that person you met was in cahoots with Corinne. Maybe she paid him to say that."

Cecilia agreed, "She's been missing for three years and doesn't even care about her mom. And suddenly, these baseless rumors pop up. She probably heard about our engagement and wants to drive a wedge between us. Don't let her get to you, Evan."

Evan looked at Cecilia for a moment and let out a self-deprecating laugh. "You're right. She'd do anything and abandoned her mother for three years. How could I have fallen for such a worthless lie? If she dares show her face, I won't let her off. I'll make sure she pays dearly for her sins."

As Evan said that, he clenched the bracelet in his hand, causing the beads to creak in his grip.

I saw Peter's lips curling up into a very pleased smile.

After three years, I'd moved past my initial anger and pain. Now, all I wanted was for Evan to keep hating me. As long as he hated me, he wouldn't give up on searching for me. And as long as he didn't give up, he might someday uncover the truth.

But, Evan, could you at least be kinder to my mom?

Cecilia loved grandiose gestures. Their engagement party was grand, and people from all around the city attended. Halfway through the event, my mom somehow showed up, looking disheveled and ghastly thin. Her presence drew whispers from the crowd.

She ignored the murmurs and gossip completely. When she saw the people on the stage, her hollow gaze turned to one of terror and then to rage.

Suddenly, she pointed at the stage and shouted, "You killed my daughter! I saw it all. It was you! You're all evil people! I'll kill you all to avenge my daughter!"

My mom tried to charge the stage, but security held her back as she yelled her head off.

Cecilia's face contorted in anger. "Why are you all just standing there? Get this crazy woman out of here! Throw her out!"

As the guards dragged my mom away, Evan stopped them. He looked down at my mom with a cold gaze and demanded, "Explain yourself. Who killed your daughter?"

"It was you guys!" my mom shouted and spat at Evan. "Stop pretending! You're all in it together! You all killed Cori!"

Evan didn't flinch. Instead, he pressed on, "How did you find this place? Has Corinne come back? Did she tell you to say this? Answer me!"

My mom glared at him. "Not only did you kill my daughter, but you also—"

"Shut up! Corinne was the murderer!" Cecilia shouted, stepping forward to slap my mom across the face. She went on a barrage. "She's the reason Evan ended up like this, and you have the nerve to show up and cause trouble! You and your daughter are disgusting!"

Cecilia's slap was very harsh. My mom's face became red and swollen immediately. She thrashed around even more frantically.

Her eyes were bloodshot as she screamed, "You monster! You murderer! You killed my daughter—I'll make you pay with your life!"

Startled by her deranged expression, Cecilia took a few steps back. She then angrily raised her hand to strike again.

I rushed forward, shouting at Evan, asking if he was blind. How could he just stand there and let Cecilia hit my mom like that?

Just as Cecilia was about to land another slap, a hand passed right through me and caught her wrist firmly.

"Are you going to let her run her mouth and slander me like this, Evan?" Cecilia questioned, exasperated.

"I'll handle it," Evan said calmly, signaling for Aaron. "Have her taken back home, and don't let her out without my permission."

He then turned to Cecilia, and his expression softened a bit. "Don't let a madwoman ruin our big night. Let's carry on."

Reluctantly, Cecilia agreed. She glared daggers at my mom as she was escorted away.

From the beginning till the end, Peter stood to the side and watched the scene unfold like a spectator at some absurd play.

Afterward, Evan went to change his clothes. When he came back, he managed to cheer up the sulking Cecilia before taking her hand and leading her back to the stage.

Once upon a time, he'd held my hand like that and proudly announced our wedding date. Now, there was a different woman by his side.

I covered my ears, not wanting to hear those empty promises of eternal love.

As Evan finished speaking and was about to step down from the stage, someone in the crowd suddenly called out, "Mr. Lane, may I take a look at that bracelet on your wrist?"

The question was abrupt and out of nowhere. It made Evan's brows crease.

Cecilia's face paled as she snapped, "Who are you, and why are you stirring up trouble here?"

A man stepped forward. His name was Felix Nichols, and he was a well-known jewelry appraiser who had recently gone viral online.

Felix ignored Cecilia and the murmurs from the audience. He walked up to the stage and examined the bracelet closely. The frown on his forehead deepened with each passing second.

"Didn't you hear what I said? Get off the stage!" Cecilia shouted, trying to push him away.

However, Felix suddenly announced loudly, "Mr. Lane, this bracelet is not made of buffalo bone—it's made of human bone!"