I clenched my fists. "That's not true. I was just out jogging this morning. My legs were sore, so I—"
"Ha! Shameless little slut," she sneered. "First you claim you were sleeping at home, now you're saying you went jogging? You can't even keep your lies straight!"
"So disgusting," another woman chimed in. "It's one thing to act like a wild animal, but you've got the nerve to call the police about it? What's wrong with you? Are you mentally ill?"
"You like attention, huh? Then today, we'll give you a real show. Let everyone see what kind of filthy trash you really are."
A group of furious women surged through the crowd. They yanked at my clothes, grabbing fistfuls of fabric and hair while hurling punches and slurs. Their anger wasn't just righteous—it was feral.
The police struggled to restore order. After several agonizing minutes, they finally pulled the attackers off me. My clothes were torn, my hair disheveled and my face stung with cuts and bruises.
One officer stepped forward. "Whatever your motive was, you've already caused serious public disturbance. You need to apologize to the families involved and help calm things down."
My heart dropped. So that was it? No further investigation, no justice? Just bow my head and take the fall?
But if I apologized now, it would be no different from throwing myself off a cliff.
I pushed my hair behind my ears, straightened my torn blouse and looked the officer dead in the eye. "That person in the video isn't me. I will not apologize."
He raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed.
"Officer, this isn't just online bullying anymore—it's real-world assault. If you write this off as some stunt I pulled, then the true culprit walks away scot-free."
"Do you have any idea what an apology would cost me? Even if it kills me, I won't tolerate this kind of injustice."
He studied me, his expression unreadable. Then his voice dropped into something heavier, colder.
"We've reviewed the video and all available surveillance. No signs of editing. The DNA test results are official—there's no chance they were faked."
He paused.
"If the person in the video isn't you, then who is?"
That was the question haunting me. In my previous life, I never found out. I'd died still carrying that confusion.
Now, even with a second chance, I had no more clarity. My mind swirled with half-formed thoughts, but none sharp enough to cut through the fog.