At thirteen, when his older brother and sister had grown up, his mother took him back home, but he had already lost the ability to feel close to his mother, and she was no longer the woman he remembered from his memories.

He started to give up on himself, refusing to go to school, and under his mother's constant nagging and preaching, Henry chose to leave.

"He'd rather keep company with vagrants than return to that place called 'home'…" Marta sighed deeply, "When I first heard about Henry's experiences, I… was shocked and felt sympathy for him.

He also said that his outbursts of anger were because he was afraid of being abandoned again.

Just like his mother had abandoned him years ago.

He was very scared."

Jack asked casually, "You believed his bullshit?"

"Yes, I was foolish and young at that time, moved by his words, even starting to feel pity for him.

I naively believed that I could change him, warm his heart, and help him find the ability and courage to love again.

Because of this belief, I forgave him again and again, ultimately causing my friend's death. I should have left him—if I had left him sooner, perhaps Rona wouldn't have died.

Now when I think of Rona, my heart aches—there couldn't be a better friend than her.

There just couldn't."

Luke asked, "When did you decide to leave him?"

"After I learned of his unfortunate past, I tried to tolerate him, to change him, and tolerated being hurt by him over and over, but I endured it.

I had a belief then, that love could heal and smooth away the pain in his heart.

But I was wrong.

Some things are unchangeable.

The birth of our child was a turning point—she brought us a lot of happiness, and I could feel that Henry loved her.

But once he got drunk and angry, he would lose all control, hurting not only me but also our child.

I tried to get him to quit drinking, but it was no use.

Every now and then, he would sneak off to drink, and after getting heavily drunk, he would start cursing. If I dared to fight back, he would beat me.

I could endure it, but the child was young, and seeing her tremble in fear under Henry's yelling was unbearably painful.

I knew it couldn't go on like this.

If she grew up in such an environment...

I didn't dare to imagine. I was afraid she would become 'Henry', and I had to be responsible for my child's life.

So, I chose to leave Henry. I'd rather she have no father than a bad role model.

I am capable of raising the child, I now have a stable job, and in the future, I can receive some benefits. I will never send my child to a foster home and will ensure she grows up in a loving environment.

Rona had always encouraged me to leave Henry and pursue a new life.

I did it.

Unfortunately, she can no longer see it…"

...

After learning more from Marta, Luke felt even more confident in advancing the case against Henry Rogers.

Although the current evidence was sufficient to convict Henry Rogers, Luke still hoped he would confess voluntarily.

This was the first case since he became acting deputy squad leader, and he wanted to handle it well.

Robbery and Murder Department, first interrogation room.

Luke sat across the interrogation table, Henry Rogers had already changed into an orange prison suit.

Jackson sneered, "Your new outfit looks pretty sharp."

"Where's that lucky guy?"

"Lucky guy? Who are you talking about?" Jackson looked puzzled.

Henry Rogers waved his right hand, "That black guy."

"He doesn't like you."

"All the more reason to have him here. I'd like to see him annoyed."

Luke laughed, "You really are a freak."

Henry Rogers glanced at Luke, "Are you in charge here?"

"Squad leader of the Robbery and Murder Department's first squad, Luke Lee."

"I'm not interested in your name, but you're younger than I expected. How did you catch me?"

"The process was somewhat complicated, but the outcome is good."

"Let me guess, you instructed Marta to call, to provoke me with the divorce, and you even came up with a guy named Paul—despicable."

"Nothing compared to you."

"So, Marta wasn't planning to divorce me; you forced her to say that."

"Her wanting to divorce is a fact."

"Where is Marta?"

"She's already back in Los Angeles."

"Heh, trying to deceive me again, huh.

Once again using your despicable tricks to make me think Marta has come, and then, after I believe you, you tell me it's a lie, aiming to break me down to achieve your interrogation goals—am I right?"

Luke pulled out his phone, showing a photo of a woman's back, "This was taken with Marta's permission, and the background is right here at the Robbery and Murder Department. You should recognize it."

Henry Rogers shook his head, "This is Photoshopped; I've guessed all your tricks."

"You know it's real; you just lack the courage to admit it."

Henry Rogers closed his eyes, took a deep breath, "This… is your backup plan? If I hadn't fallen for it, you'd use Marta as bait?

You know I would kill her, and yet you stoop to this method—this is the Los Angeles police's style, is it?"

"Marta came back on her own; I didn't know beforehand, she came to take Hope home.

She's brave—she didn't know you were caught before she returned.

She's grateful for what we at the Los Angeles Police Department have done."

"I want to see Marta."

"She doesn't want to see you."

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