Chapter 3

Thinking back to my previous life, after my parents found out I had killed my boyfriend, they just kept scolding me nonstop.

They were convinced I was the murderer, no matter what I said.

Even though I kept trying to explain myself, they never believed me.

"Even her own parents think she's the one who did it. What's the point of investigating anymore?"

"She probably had this all planned out from the start."

And then Orson's folks started livestreaming, calling me out in front of everyone. That shoved me right back into the center of all the drama.

Honestly, they were a big reason why I ended up on death row so fast.

But my bestie, Bianca, was the only one who never gave up on me. She just wanted to help me get to the truth.

Too bad Bianca got into a car accident while she was trying to dig up proof.

After Bianca finished scolding me, she shot me a worried look. "Are you okay? What happened?"

A possibility suddenly crossed my mind, but I didn't want to believe it could be true.

I grabbed Bianca's hand, looking her dead in the eye. "Please, head over to this place and help me look into someone."

Bianca's playful grin vanished in an instant. "Just say the word. I got this."

Going off what I remembered from my last life, I sent Bianca to check out an address for me.

Bianca had just stepped out when Jamie, the cop, knocked and came right in.

Seeing Jamie, I instantly froze up. He was the cop who busted me in my last life.

He even gave me a shot to show I'd been home asleep that night. But I had nothing to show for it.

Jamie wanted to trust me, but after Orson's folks started livestreaming, dragging my name through the mud, he was drowning in pressure.

He held out for me for three months straight, but in the end, I still let him down.

Jamie looked worn out, but his attitude was still sharp and by-the-book.

He spoke with a detached, professional coldness, making it clear he was here strictly on business. "Are you Angela Jimenez?"

I nodded, shooting him a confused look.

"You're being charged with the murder of Orson Buckley. You need to come with us," Jamie said.

My mind was a mess, but I didn't let it show at all in front of him.

I forced myself to speak up. "Officer, can you see this?" I said, raising my arm in a cast.

I added, "Seriously, with my arm like this, how could I kill anyone? Maybe you've got the wrong person?"

Jamie's brows knitted together. Then he pulled out his phone and showed me a video.

He said, "The security footage caught you having a heated fight with Orson at his studio, and then you went on to kill him. It's all on tape. The evidence is solid."

My mind went completely blank. 'How could he still be at the studio? Why am I the one in that video?

'The way she moved, the expression on her face. It's all me, down to every habit.'

At that moment, everything I believed in just collapsed.

My voice shook as Jamie stammered out, "This video has to be AI-generated, right? I was at the hospital the whole time. Plenty of people can vouch for me."

My heart was pounding, and I could barely catch my breath.

Jamie flipped through some screenshots and held them out for me to see. "These are straight from the security cameras, not a single trace of AI fakery.

"It's got everything: you getting out of your car, heading upstairs, knocking on the door.

"And we found your fingerprints in his studio too."

My whole body tensed up all over again.

The memories of being sentenced to death and getting torn apart online from my last life came crashing down on me.

'Am I really doomed to go through all this again?'

"Come with us," Jamie said.

Seeing me freeze up, Jamie instantly went on high alert. He comforted me. "Trust me, I'm a cop. If you're really innocent, I'll make sure you get a fair shake."

My heart felt like it was weighed down with lead. I knew I had no choice but to go with him.

I just couldn't wonder, 'Why is it always me who ends up being Orson's killer, even in this life?

'What's the real motive of whoever's pulling the strings behind all this?

'Looks like I'll have to wait for Bianca's update to know if my suspicions are right.'

As I was being led out of the hospital room, a crowd of people swarmed around me.