After her tragic death, Rosie Slade’s soul didn’t fade away like it should have. Instead, she lingered in the mortal world, bound by the haunting sight of her own lifeless remains being discovered from dumpsters and riverbanks. Her body’s gruesome state sent shockwaves through the city, causing panic and fear. The brutality of her murder drew immense public attention, forcing the authorities to bring in a top detective to lead the case — her estranged brother, Nathan Slade.

Watching Nathan arrive at the crime scene made Rosie’s spirit ache with guilt. Even in death, she was still causing him trouble, just like he had always accused her of. As Nathan examined her mutilated corpse — unaware that the victim was his own sister — Rosie could see the frown of determination etched on his face. His once-gentle eyes were now hardened, shaped by years of bitterness and resentment.

The investigation began under grim circumstances. Harlan Graves, a weary member of the forensic team, reported that the victim was a young woman in her early twenties, dead for at least forty-eight hours. Her body had been brutally dismembered; her limbs had been severed while she was still alive to prevent her from fighting back. The sheer savagery of the act left everyone speechless. The silence that followed was heavy with grief and disbelief, broken only by murmurs of sympathy and outrage.

“Monster,” one of the officers muttered under his breath, while another said softly, “Poor child, god knows what she must’ve gone through.”

Nathan’s rage erupted. He slammed his hand on the table and vowed fiercely, “I’ll find out who did this and make sure they pay!”

Standing beside him was Lawrence Finch — Nathan’s mentor and their late father’s old friend. Lawrence had practically raised the Slade siblings after their parents died. He’d taught Nathan everything about detective work — from tracking clues to reading a criminal’s mind. Hearing Nathan’s fury, Lawrence placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, but his tone was tinged with regret as he said quietly, “You’ve got your hands full, son. You’ll probably have to miss Rosie’s graduation.”

At the mention of her name, Nathan’s expression darkened instantly. His voice turned cold and distant as he snapped, “Don’t bring her up. She’s nothing but bad luck. There’s no way I’m going to her graduation. I’m going to Gemma’s.”

Those words pierced Rosie’s lingering soul like a dagger. Even now, Nathan wanted nothing to do with her. After their parents’ tragic deaths, he had turned his pain into anger — directed entirely at her. He blamed Rosie for everything that went wrong. He said she was the reason their parents were gone. Eventually, he threw her out of the house, cutting all ties and declaring that she was no longer his sister.

Not long after, Nathan had rescued a young woman named Gemma Carter during a case. She was an orphan, and Nathan — perhaps out of guilt or loneliness — decided to take her in as his new sister. From that day on, Gemma became his “family,” and Rosie became nothing more than an unwanted shadow of the past.

Rosie had still tried to mend things. Even though he hated her, she continued to bring him lunch every day — rain or shine — hoping one day he’d forgive her. But he never did. When she died, she knew Nathan wouldn’t mourn her. If anything, he’d probably be relieved.

Back at the crime scene, Lawrence, deeply disappointed by Nathan’s harsh words, punched him lightly in the chest and said sternly, “How could you say that? Rosie’s a thoughtful kid. She’s been bringing you lunch every day without fail, quietly, without expecting anything in return. She was worried you wouldn’t like her. Open your eyes, you ungrateful brat.”

But Nathan only scoffed in disbelief. “Like I care. Anyway, let’s stop talking about her, Lawrence. We’ve got real work to do. Any missing persons reports?”

His assistant, Orson Marsh, flipped through his notes and replied, “No, nothing in the last two days from this area.”

Nathan frowned deeply. “Seriously? The woman’s been missing for days, and no one noticed? What kind of irresponsible family is that?”

Rosie’s spirit trembled as she heard those words. The irony was unbearable — he was talking about her, yet he didn’t even realize it. She had been missing for days, but no one had filed a report because she had no one left to care.

As the team wrapped up the initial scene, Nathan and the others headed out for lunch. Lawrence, however, was lost in thought. Something felt off. After a moment, he asked, “Why hasn’t Rosie brought you lunch these days?”

Nathan replied dismissively, “She probably couldn’t keep up the act anymore. Figures.” He laughed bitterly, unaware of how cruel his words were.

Lawrence’s anger flared again. “No way. That girl’s come rain or shine for years without missing a single day. Something must’ve happened. You should call her.”

Nathan sighed in annoyance. “Don’t bother, Lawrence. This is just another one of her games. She called me the other day, probably to complain or something. I told her to come to Gemma’s graduation, and she refused. Guess she’s sulking now.”

Lawrence was about to argue further when Nathan’s phone rang. The moment he saw the caller ID, his entire demeanor changed. His scowl softened, and his voice turned gentle as he answered. Rosie already knew who it was — Gemma Carter, the sister Nathan chose over her.

Standing there, unseen and unheard, Rosie’s heart ached. Even in death, she remained the ghost in her brother’s shadow — invisible, unwanted, and unloved. But now, as she looked at the blood-soaked remains of her body and the brother investigating her death, a dark resolve began to form within her fading spirit.

If Nathan couldn’t see the truth in life, perhaps he would see it in death.

She would make sure of it.

The story closes on a chilling note, blending tragedy, betrayal, and poetic irony. Rosie, the murdered girl no one noticed missing, watches her brother — the man who despised her — unknowingly seek justice for her. As the investigation unfolds, secrets about their family, Rosie’s disappearance, and Nathan’s misplaced hatred are bound to surface. But for now, only Rosie knows the cruelest truth of all — that the “victim” he’s hunting is the sister he already buried in his heart long ago.