Gone girl, broken man Novel - Does anyone know the name of this story?

Gone Girl, Broken Man

Chapter 1 I Died

I died.

I was brutally murdered by a serial killer. After my death, my body was made into a specimen and trapped in a glass display case.

Mosvil City, Flynn Residence.

I don't know why, but after I died, my soul returned to the home where I had lived for nearly ten years.

"Maddy still can't be reached? It's been days now," Bernice Mora muttered quietly to herself, sitting on the couch. "She's always been such a good girl. She wouldn't just ignore my calls. Do you think something might have happened to her?"

I was the adopted daughter of the Flynn family, taken in when I was eighteen.

My mom had been Bernice's best friend. After my parents died in a car accident, I had been living with her, growing up in the Flynn Residence.

"Mom, stop worrying about her. She's an adult, what could possibly happen?" Marcus said impatiently, glancing at the time. "It's Bella's birthday today. I'm heading out."

"Marcus ... there's been all this talk about the serial killings lately, targeting young, beautiful girls. I've been feeling so anxious, my eyelid keeps twitching. Please, try to contact Maddy and tell her I miss her," Bernice pleaded softly, clearly worried.

My soul stood next to her, wanting so badly to hug and comfort her, but I couldn't.

"She's just an ungrateful brat. Even if she's mad at me, she shouldn't be ignoring your calls. She's gotten too bold," Marcus said, full of disdain when he talked about me.

I had loved him for ten years, and all that time, hatred was all I got from him.

"Marcus, I'm dead. You're free now."

I stood in front of Marcus, telling him he was free.

But he could no longer hear me.

"Marcus, I know you don't like Maddy and don't want to marry her, but Maddy is innocent. You two were already engaged, and then that happened. If you don't marry her, how can I face her mother?"

Two months ago, Marcus had gotten drunk and forced himself on me at home.

He had called out Bella's name afterward. It was a fate worse than death.

Marcus's face darkened, his voice turning icy. "Who knows if she seduced me? She'd do anything to marry me, even lose her dignity."

Bernice sighed and shook her head.

What a sin.

I stood there numb, shaking my head desperately, crying out.

I didn't.

I didn't seduce him.

That night, he was the one who went crazy.

...

My soul followed Marcus to Bella's birthday party.

As soon as he walked in, Marcus's buddies greeted Bella with laughter, calling her "sister-in-law."

"Happy birthday! Marcus went all out for your birthday."

Marcus smiled dotingly at Bella and handed her a gift amidst the cheers of their friends.

"Marcus, any news about Maddy?" Bella asked softly as if she had just remembered.

Marcus frowned. "Don't spoil the mood by mentioning her."

Bella smiled a little. "She's your sister, after all. Don't be like that."

"Sister?" Marcus snorted. "She almost got you killed, and you're still defending her. You're just too kind."

Bella hugged Marcus, snuggling into his arms. "I don't mind ... "

I stood in front of Marcus, desperately trying to explain. "I didn't. I never hurt her. It was her, she got me killed!

"Marcus! She got me killed!"

But Marcus couldn't hear me at all.

I cried out in frustration, desperately trying to explain.

Explaining so much suddenly felt exhausting.

Marcus had never trusted me.

"Have you heard? They still haven't caught that serial killer. The police have found six bodies, all beautiful women."

Someone was discussing the killer.

"Didn't that killer target Bella a while back? Good thing Marcus protected her so well. Otherwise, it would've been really dangerous."

"Madeline used herself as bait to lure the killer but couldn't. Even the killer didn't want her, haha ... "

"Yeah, even the killer didn't want her. How can she compare to our Bella?"

Marcus's chest tightened, and he felt inexplicably annoyed. "Why are you talking about this?"

He lit a cigarette, and when his phone rang again, he answered it.

"Hello?"

"Is this Mr. Marcus Flynn? We're with the Mosvil City Police Department. What is your relationship with Madeline West?"

Marcus stood up abruptly, signaling everyone to be quiet. "Shut up, all of you!"

He was a bit nervous, his fingers turning slightly white. "Madeline is ... my sister."

I looked at Marcus and suddenly laughed.

Even in death, I was still just his sister.

"Something might have happened to her. We found her phone and belongings at the crime scene. Could you come and confirm?"

Chapter 2 Don't Leave Me, I Beg You

I followed Marcus into the police station.

"Mr. Flynn, please confirm these items," the officer said, taking Marcus to identify my belongings. Clothes, phone, bag—all mine.

Marcus looked troubled and took a while to speak. "Where is she?"

"Sorry, Mr. Flynn. Our preliminary investigation suggests she was likely murdered, but we haven't found the body yet."

"Then stop looking. Don't waste police resources on her. She's not in any danger," Marcus sneered. "She probably left her stuff there on purpose, creating suspense to make me feel guilty and give in."

Marcus didn't believe I was dead.

To him, I was just someone who would stop at nothing to achieve my goals. He wished I were truly dead.

"Mr. Flynn, are you sure?" the officer asked, looking puzzled.

"Yes, I'm sure." Marcus nodded, speaking seriously. "Sorry for the trouble. I'll handle this myself and find her within three days."

Marcus's eyes darkened with obvious anger.

I knew him too well, he was mad because he thought I had gone too far this time.

I suddenly wanted to laugh. I laughed and laughed next to Marcus until I couldn't anymore.

I was dead, and he was delaying the police's time investigating.

Just like the day I died, my last call for help was to him, but he answered in irritation, "Madeline, enough already! Why don't you just die?"

In despair, I dropped my phone. The killer drugged me, took me away, and I died.

"Rosalie, where's Madeline? Tell her to get back here and stop hiding," Marcus demanded angrily as he called Rosalie Quinn after leaving the police station.

Rosalie was my only friend.

I didn't even get to say goodbye to her.

"Marcus, what's wrong with you? I should be asking you where Maddy is. What did you do with her?"

"Tell her this is her last chance. She must come home by tomorrow, or if she dies out there, I won't even collect her body!" Marcus snapped.

I didn't understand what he was so anxious about, his breathing was rapid.

I stood there numbly, laughing sarcastically. "You won't need to collect my body because you'll never find it."

"Marcus, Maddy is missing! I've already called the police. You b*stard, if anything happens to her, I won't let you get away with it!" Rosalie cried, shouting at Marcus.

Marcus's chest tightened, and he laughed mockingly. "Is this her new tactic? Using this to force me to marry her? How pathetic."

I looked at Marcus, my vision blurring.

In that moment, my heart truly broke.

...

The week before it happened, there was a night with heavy rain, thunder, and lightning.

Marcus pinned me to the bed, his eyes cold and full of threats.

"Madeline, you keep trying to seduce me. Isn't this what you want? How can you be so desperate? Are you that starved for a man?"

"I didn't ... Marcus, we were engaged. You're the one not honouring it ... "

Marcus ignored my explanation.

He grabbed my chin and kissed me, but there was no love in that kiss, only raw, aggressive lust.

"Isn't this what you wanted? Stop pretending."

"Marcus, please, my stomach hurts ... " I cried, begging him, but he didn't stop.

He gripped my waist, thrusting forcefully as if he was trying to punish me.

In that moment, I felt like he wanted to kill me.

"Madeline, you pushed Bella down the stairs and nearly killed her. I haven't even settled that score with you yet."

"I didn't call the police to put you in jail. That's the best mercy you're going to get from me. Stop playing games! If you think I'll marry you, you better kill that hope right now!"

In the end, my throat was hoarse, and I couldn't say a word.

It wasn't me. I didn't push her.

Dark red blood flowed between my legs, and my stomach was in severe pain, to the point of suffocation. "Marcus ... it hurts so much. Please, take me to the hospital."

At that moment, I knew something was seriously wrong.

"How unlucky," Marcus said with disgust, pushing me aside as he got up to get dressed, intending to take me to the hospital.

But just then, his phone rang.

"Marcus! Marcus ... help me! I think that psycho killer is after me. Help!"

Marcus's face turned pale, and he frantically grabbed his clothes and ran out.

He was too worried about Bella to care about my fate.

I was in so much pain that I fell off the bed and curled up on the floor. "Help ... Marcus ...

"Don't leave me ... please ... "

Chapter 3 He Wants Me Dead

That day, I passed out from the pain.

On the sixth day before the incident, I woke up to daylight.

After the rain, the sun was shining brightly. I struggled to get up from the floor, the blood between my legs already dried.

"Marcus, I'm so scared. What do we do? What do we do?" From the living room, I heard Bella's crying. She was trembling, saying she was being stalked by the killer.

She was terrified of dying.

"Marcus, we checked the surveillance. Bella really is being followed. Should we call the police?"

"No ... Marcus, don't call the police. This killer is ruthless, targeting young women. The police have found six dead bodies but haven't caught him. If we provoke him ... "

Bella shook her head in fear, refusing to report it to the police.

"Bella, don't be afraid," Marcus said, holding Bella and comforting her gently.

He wasn't incapable of being gentle, he just never showed me any of it.

I stood there, feeling awkward and stiff, unsure whether to stay or leave.

"Bella, what were you wearing yesterday when you walked down Hardy Lane?" Marcus's good friend, Jose Jenkins, asked.

"A red dress," Bella replied, glancing at me. "Maddy ... "

I said nothing, turning my gaze away as my legs trembled. I headed to the kitchen, hoping to find something to eat.

"Marcus, I have an idea to lure out the killer. We can catch him first and then call the police to avoid any chance of him retaliating against Bella," Jose suggested.

Marcus nodded. "Let's hear it."

"We can find a woman to wear Bella's dress and walk down Hardy Lane at night to draw the killer out. There are cameras everywhere, and we'll be watching. Nothing will happen," Jose explained.

Marcus frowned. "What kind of stupid idea is that? Why don't you send your girlfriend?"

Bella looked at me again and spoke softly, "Maddy, you don't look well. Are you okay?"

"Why do you care about her? She almost got you killed, and you still worry about her," Marcus said, holding Bella tightly with annoyance.

My hand froze while pouring hot water, and a wave of pain spread through my chest.

"Let her do it! She's right here! She almost killed Bella, she owes Bella, let her go and make up for it!

"Yeah! Let Madeline go. She and Bella look somewhat alike. She can do it!"

I looked at Marcus in panic, hoping to hear him refuse.

He knew I was afraid of the dark, how could he send me to such a deserted place at night ...

Marcus hesitated for a moment, then looked at me coldly before speaking, "You owe Bella, and you must repay it."

His words felt like they were pushing me into an abyss.

My fingers went numb, and I couldn't hold the cup filled with hot water. It spilled all over the back of my hand.

The scalding water didn't even register, it was as if I had lost all sensation.

Ten years, I spent ten years trying to warm this man's heart.

But Bella could win it effortlessly.

"I won't go ... " I refused. I couldn't risk my life like that.

"Marcus, don't force Maddy ... " Bella's eyes filled with tears. "Maddy didn't mean to push me down the stairs."

"Don't speak for her!"

Marcus suddenly snapped, making Bella flinch.

He stood up and walked toward me.

I shook my head in fear. "Marcus, I'm not going!"

"You don't have a choice!" Marcus was determined to send me.

"Our people will be watching. We won't let you die," Marcus said, as if he was assuring me.

I hung my head, my tears burning hot against my eyes.

"Repay what you owe Bella, and I'll consider you reformed. I won't go against you anymore," he said like he was offering me a deal.

Against my better judgment, I believed him. "Will you really ... guarantee my safety?"

"Of course," Marcus replied impatiently.

"Marcus, I don't owe Bella anything. But if we catch the killer, will you promise me one thing?" I looked at Marcus with despair.

I wasn't bargaining, I had something important to tell him.

"Don't push your luck," Marcus snapped.

I lowered my head, saying nothing more.

Living in the Flynn Residence, I had always been dependent on them. I loved him, but I also feared him.

"Fine ... I'll go," I agreed. "Consider it repayment for saving me back then."

I entrusted my life to Marcus.

Once this was over, I would ask to break off our engagement and give him his freedom. I would leave the country and never return to the Flynn family ...

Chapter 4 If I Died, Would You Be Sad?

"Maddy, thank you. I didn't expect you to be so brave." Bella pretended to be kind as she spoke to me, holding my hands, but her eyes were full of threats.

I shook off her hands and, feeling famished, left Flynn Residence.

I should have given up then.

At the hospital, the doctor said, "You're pregnant, already two months along. Didn't you notice? We should monitor this for a while."

I sat in shock, staring at the test results, trembling all over.

Pregnant. I was pregnant at the worst possible time.

Marcus didn't love me, and he certainly wouldn't accept the child I was carrying. Even if I was pregnant, he wouldn't change his view of me. He would just think I was trying to force him into marriage.

Five days before the incident. I mustered up the courage to tell Marcus about my pregnancy. If he didn't want the child, I would abort it and leave. I wouldn't cling to him anymore.

I called him countless times, but he refused to answer. Finally, on the last call, someone picked up. But it was Bella who spoke.

"Maddy, are you looking for Marcus? He's tired and needs rest."

"Why bother talking to her so much? Just tell her to stop bothering me," Marcus's irritated voice came from the other end of the line, along with Bella's giggles. "Marcus, stop it. I'm on my period, so don't touch me today ... "

Holding the phone, I sat numbly and stiffly on the couch.

That night, Marcus came back, but he brought Bella with him.

"Why did you bring her here?" Bernice frowned, clearly displeased.

"Mom, Bella and I are getting engaged. I came to inform you," Marcus said in a tone that brooked no argument.

Bernice was shocked and instinctively looked at me. My eyes were red, but I said nothing.

"I don't agree. You have an engagement with Maddy ... " Bernice tried to protest.

"Bella is being stalked by that serial killer, and he only targets single, unmarried women. I'll make our engagement public," Marcus declared, his favouritism for Bella blatantly obvious.

My stomach churned, and I suddenly bolted to the bathroom, throwing up violently.

What did he take me for?

I remembered when I was eighteen, after my parents' car accident, I was trapped in the mangled wreckage, the car already on fire and at risk of exploding at any moment. Marcus had gone crazy trying to save me, smashing the car windows despite his bleeding hands, cutting through my seatbelt, and pulling me out to safety. Then he went back to try to save my parents. "Marcus ... it's dangerous ... " I weakly called out, watching helplessly as he risked everything to save my family. Just as my parents were being pulled out, the car exploded. The massive flames and shockwave left me trembling.

Even though my parents didn't make it, Marcus's desperate attempts to save them were etched into my heart. He was a good man, always had been. But he didn't love me. After vomiting until there was nothing left, I collapsed on the floor, my vision darkening.

He was going to marry Bella. And I was always just a joke.

"Maddy, don't be afraid. You'll be okay, Maddy ... Maddy ... "

I remembered him calling my name at the crash site, urging me to hold on, saying the ambulance was coming.

Back then, I thought he liked me too. It had all been a misunderstanding, one that lasted all these years.

"Madeline, stop playing dead!"

The bathroom door was kicked open, and Marcus glared at me with clear irritation. "You're going to Hardy Lane tomorrow night. We've arranged everything. Stop pulling these stunts."

"Marcus ... aren't you afraid I'll die?" I asked hoarsely.

"Madeline, someone like you is too stubborn to die. You're perfect for this. Maybe you'll even be doing society a favour by distracting that killer with your persistence."

"If I die ... would you be sad?" I asked, my voice raw.

Marcus frowned. "Would you really go through with it? I'll answer that question after you're dead."