I collapsed on the chair and forced a smile, saying mockingly, "Officer, do you believe in coincidences?"
The policeman looked at me, opened his mouth, and let out a long sigh.
"Ms. Lawrence, based on the preliminary investigation, your daughter's death was an accident. Please restrain your grief. However..."
He changed the topic and said in a low voice, "If you can provide me with some other evidence, we will do our best to seek justice for you!"
I understood what he meant.
If I could find evidence of John's having an affair with Kate, the nature of Kate's accident would be changed.
"I'll find it as soon as possible, officer."
I stopped crying and called to resign. Then I contacted a funeral home.
As I watched Dora's body being pushed into the burning furnace, I widened my eyes.
Likewise, I would keep my eyes wide open and watch the murderer who cruelly hurt Dora be brought to justice and pay with her life!
I stayed with Dora in the cemetery until dawn.
Per a friend's introduction, I found a reliable private detective agency, asking them to secretly follow John and Kate to collect evidence of his extramarital affairs.
After that, I went back home. The fact that Dora was no longer alive shuddered me.
In a trance, I seemed to see Dora smiling brightly.
"Mom, look, I got full marks in the exam! You and Dad promised to take me to eat at McDonald's!"
"Mom, I won the first prize in the National Middle School Student Writing Competition! Am I amazing? I have to call Dad quickly and tell him the good news!"
"Mom, Dad is so busy. I ranked third in the college entrance examination in the city. Many universities are eager to enroll me. When I apply, I want him to give me suggestions. I wanted to become a powerful lawyer like him and help more people who need help, but he didn't have time for me..."
"Mom, don't cry. Dad must love us. I'll help you get him back!"
"Dora! My Dora!"
I stretched out my hands, desperately trying to hold Dora, who was patting her chest and smiling at me. In the end, I fell to the ground amid a burst of broken illusion.
"Ah!"
Hugging myself tightly, I couldn't help but burst into tears.
"Dora, Mummy only wants you! Mummy just wants you to stay by my side. Mummy doesn't want anyone else. The only thing I want is that you're safe..."
...
I got through the following dark days alone in a daze.