Chapter 38
As I spoke, I rolled up my sleeves and pant legs, revealing as much of my skin as I could. My voice trembled slightly, but I kept going, desperate to prove my innocence.
In my previous life, after that night at the hotel, I hadn’t been able to recognize my own body. Hickeys and bruises bloomed across my skin like damning proof. Used condoms filled the trash can, each one allegedly carrying traces of my DNA. I had even started to question myself–had I really done it?
That thought had haunted me. Maybe someone drugged me, manipulated me… but even that didn’t change the consequences. My reputation had still been destroyed.}
But this time–it was different.
This time, I never set foot in that hotel. Even if there were videos, even if the surveillance footage claimed I was there, I hadn’t gone anywhere. My body was clean. Unmarked. That, at least, I could cling to.“]
Sean stared at my exposed skin, his brow furrowing slightly. His eyes flicked over my arms, my calves–unblemished, pale, untouched. But the people around us weren’t so easily swayed.§
Their gazes didn’t soften. If anything, they became more vicious–smirking, scoffing.”
Just as I opened my mouth to suggest a physical examination by a female officer, someone in the crowd jeered.}
“Did she have so much fun she forgot everything? In the video, she literally told the men not to leave any marks, or she’d report them.“) “Yeah, probably planned it all from the start. Pretend to be some poor, innocent girl later. Didn’t expect the whole thing would get leaked online. What a joke.”}
“She’s clearly playing both roles–acting like a slut on camera, then crying innocence now. Look at the tattoo on her ankle and the red mole on her arm. It’s exactly the same as in the video.”
My thoughts collapsed in a thunderous crash. I hadn’t even examined the video closely. I’d been too shocked that it had returned–exactly as it had in my past life.}
But now they were saying it was different?!
In my previous life, the footage showed me wild and feverish, with bruises and love bites covering my body. I had no strength to fight back then. Everything pointed to guilt and I had no defense.
Now, I was staring at a clean body… and yet the world still refused to believe me.
I turned to Sean, silently begging him to think. To question. To even hesitate.”
But he wouldn’t look at me. His face twisted with a mixture of rage and revulsion as he turned away, jaw tight.§
DNA doesn’t lie. Even if the video was faked, no one could forge that. And I knew I hadn’t been there. There was no way anything of mine could be in that hotel room.”
Then came the final blow.
“Mrs. Johnson,” one of the officers said, his tone neutral, unfeeling. “Our lab just tested the biological evidence found in the hotel room. We identified your DNA, along with samples from multiple male individuals.“}
I couldn’t breathe.
“And,” he added, “we’ve traced the source of the original video upload. It came from your phone.“}
A sharp, broken laugh tore from Sean’s throat. His shoulders heaved with fury
All around me, eyes locked on–wide and glinting. Shock. Disgust. Cruel satisfaction. Like vultures circling the carcass of a truth they already believed.
And just like that, I was back there again. Right in the center of the same nightmare. Same humiliation. Same hopelessness.
Before I could react, a palm whipped across my cheek with brutal force.
The impact knocked me to the ground.
“You filthy whore!” a woman shrieked. “Seducing my husband and filming that trash? I’m going to beat you to death today!”
She lunged for me again, but the officers managed to hold her back.
“Why are you stopping me? Aren’t you the police? She did something this disgusting–shouldn’t she be arrested?”
“I swear, your days are numbered! The other wives are already on their way. You like messing around in bed, huh? Let’s see if you’re still smiling when we’re done with you!”
I pushed myself up, barely able to find my voice.
“I didn’t do it,” I whispered, then tried louder. “It wasn’t me! I was at my parents‘ apartment all night. They can vouch for me!”
But everyone only believed what they thought was true. My weak explanations just sounded like excuses.
“Her parents will definitely be covering for her,” someone muttered. “It’s obvious they’re just as shameless.”
The crowd thickened, drawn in by the spectacle.§
“I know that woman,” a new voice called out. “I saw her come home early this morning. She was wobbling all over the place, barely able to climb the stairs. I thought, ‘Wow, young people really need to work on their stamina.’ But now I get it–guess she just had too much sex.”
