While my mom was conducting the autopsy, the police fanned out and quickly traced the two bags of meat back to Mark, the cafeteria's food supplier.

Mark was promptly brought in for questioning at the station.

He looked utterly bewildered, having no clue what was going on until the cops mentioned the gruesome murder and dismemberment case.

Scared out of his wits, he nearly dropped to his knees, stumbling over his words, "Officer, I swear I had no idea! When I got there this morning, the meat was already laid out on the cutting board. I just assumed it was a delivery from the meat factory, so I brought it over like usual. Honest, that's all I know!"

After a thorough grilling, Captain Lynn was satisfied that Mark was in the clear.

Unfortunately, the lack of security cameras around Mark's shop meant the trail went cold there.

With the victim's identity still a mystery, Captain Lynn knew they'd have to wait for the DNA results, which could take up to three days.

The mood was tense at the case briefing, everyone's frustration palpable.

This was the most heinous crime the city had seen in nearly a decade, the killer's brazen body dump a clear taunt to the police. The higher-ups were taking it extremely seriously, putting the pressure on Captain Lynn to crack the case fast.

After the meeting, Captain Lynn suddenly remembered something.

He slowed his pace and walked alongside my mother. "I heard the college entrance exam results are out. How did Simon do? I've heard he was ranked first in his grade every time before."

At the mention of my name, a flicker of disgust crossed my mother's face. "Don't bring him up in front of me. Whether he's alive or dead, whether he did well or not, it's none of my concern."

Captain Lynn hesitated for a moment.

After a long pause, he sighed. "Johnson has been gone for so many years. You really should let it go. Simon is still your son, and he's had a tough time these past eight years with you ignoring him."

Mentioning Johnson made my mother's eyes well up with tears. "If it weren't for him, Johnson wouldn't have died. Shawn wouldn't have lost his father. It's all his fault. He's a murderer. Unless he's dead, I'll never forgive him in this lifetime!"

Her response hit me like a punch to the gut.

For eight years, no matter how much I tried to explain, she still believed I was the one who killed Johnson.

When I was three, my parents divorced, and shortly after, she married Johnson. She was the youngest, most talented forensic scientist in the city, while he was the captain of the police force who solved countless tough cases.

They worked together seamlessly and were planning to get married.

But just before the wedding, Johnson died. My mother blamed me for taking away her beloved and for leaving Shawn an orphan.

She kicked me out of the house and adopted Shawn, pouring all her motherly love into him.

Over the years, I barely managed to survive until I turned eighteen, thanks to the support of the senior officers in the police force and my teachers.

I hugged my knees tightly, crouching in the corner.

Desperately hoping that now that I've fulfilled your wish, Mom, can you finally forgive me?

As Captain Lynn and my mother reached the door, her phone rang.

"Hello, this is Simon's teacher. Simon scored 698 points on the college entrance exam, and the school would like to invite him back for a special interview. However, we haven't been able to get in touch with him. Is something wrong?"

The teacher's voice carried a mix of excitement and concern.

My mother frowned deeply upon hearing this. "I don't know, I don't understand, and I don't know him! Please don't bother me with his issues anymore."

The teacher tried to say something else, but my mother impatiently hung up the phone.

Captain Lynn looked worried. "Simon isn't the kind of kid who would be irresponsible. I hope nothing has happened to him."

My mother scoffed, "It's a disaster that lasts for generations; he can't possibly be the one in trouble."

Seeing her reaction, Captain Lynn could only shake his head helplessly.

My mother's misunderstanding of me ran too deep to be resolved with just a few words.

After parting ways with Captain Lynn, my mother got into the car. Before the vehicle started, she glanced at her phone, and her expression softened instantly.

Since Johnson's passing, only Shawn could bring out that kind of warmth in her.

After a moment, she opened a voice message, "Shawn, I'm off work. What do you want to eat? I'll buy it for you."

I couldn't hear Shawn's response, but my mother chuckled softly, "Okay! If you're hungry, eat something first to hold you over."

My soul followed my mother as she paused in front of a cake shop.

This place had opened recently, and the signature chocolate cake was a favorite among my classmates.

Before long, my mother came out of the shop with a small cake, her face glowing with a smile.

As she reached the front door, Shawn excitedly opened it, took the cake from her hands, and gave her a joyful hug.

My mother's gaze followed him closely, her eyes crinkling into a warm smile.

Watching this scene, a wave of bitterness washed over me.

There was a time when my mother treasured me like a precious gem. She would pick me up from school, help me with my homework, and bring home delicious treats every day after work.

When I was bullied by classmates without a father to defend me, she brought police officers from her office to stand up for me.

She always said I was her most precious son and that no one could bully me. She promised to protect me forever.

But ever since that incident, my mother's feelings toward me had turned to hatred.

She even wished I were dead!

After finishing the cake, my mother brought up school again.

Shawn had scored 300 points on the college entrance exam, which wasn't enough to get into a good university.

Yet my mother didn't blame him at all. Instead, she gently stroked his head and said, "As long as our Shawn is happy, that's my greatest wish."

"I've already arranged for you to attend a university abroad. You can leave in a little while."

Shawn's eyes lit up as he snuggled into my mother's embrace. "I knew you'd be the best to me, Mom."

My mother's eyes sparkled with love. "You're my son; if I'm not good to you, who else would I be good to?"

I didn't mean to cry, but tears began to well up in my eyes.

When my mother was young, she had wanted to apply to the National University of Defense Technology, but she was rejected due to failing the physical exam. She then pursued a career in forensic science, which remained a lifelong regret for her.

To fulfill my mother's dream and serve the country, I had resolved from a young age to take the entrance exam for the National University of Defense Technology.

With a score of 698 on the exam, I was just one step away from my dream university, but now that opportunity was gone forever.

It's been three days since my murder.

Captain Lynn and his team found more of my body parts in the sewers.

The remains from the two dumping sites confirmed the victim was around 5'8" and slender. The fabric from the clothes still attached to the body was cheap, common material.

The officers deduced, "This kid's been missing forever and no one's reported him missing. Either he's an orphan with no one who cares, or he's an undocumented immigrant."

"What could a kid have done to piss someone off so bad? And the killer's MO is so brutal. My money's on revenge."

Captain Lynn furrowed his brow, like he was thinking hard about something. He glanced over at my mother at the back of the group.

"Has Simon been in touch with you lately?"

Mom's face hardened. "He couldn't have gotten into trouble. If you're gonna worry about him, you'd be better off canvassing the area more. Might turn up some leads."

Captain Lynn rested his chin in his hand, lost in thought. "Something just doesn't add up with this case."

Mom scoffed, not interested in putting much energy into my situation.

Just as the investigation hit a wall,

A young cop came in carrying a backpack.

"Captain, some citizens found a student's backpack nearby. Thought it might help with the case, so I brought it for everyone to take a look."

Captain Lynn perked up, quickly putting on gloves to take it.

My heart raced with excitement.

When the killer took me, I made sure to drop my backpack, hoping it would give them a clue.

If this killer was twisted enough to dismember me and taunt the cops, he obviously didn't care about my little stunt.

My backpack was just a basic black canvas one. Since finals were over, it was empty except for some paper and pens.

Captain Lynn rummaged around for a bit before suddenly pulling something out of a small compartment, his eyes going wide with shock.

"It's gotta be Simon. Something's happened to him!" he said, sounding certain.