Catch Me If You Can

Splash!As I was thrown roughly into the sea, cheers erupted from the cruise ship's deck. Applause and shouts of approval filled the air, yet no one seemed concerned if I would make it back alive. I flailed desperately, and my limbs thrashed in the water as I opened my mouth and tried to scream for help. However, all I swallowed was salty seawater."Help… Please, help me…" My desperate cries only entertained them. My cries were a thrill to make their night even more exciting. Some even tossed pieces of bread and wine into the water, laughing so hard they doubled over.In their eyes, I wasn't a person drowning in the sea but a spectacle for their amusement.Soon, my limbs grew heavy, my legs cramped, and I started to sink.In my haze, I saw two people on the deck, watching.One of them had once given me new life, and now he was gazing at my struggle with a blank expression.The other had promised to be kind to me forever, yet now he was holding another woman in his arms with

William's words were full of disdain, and the mockery in his gaze struck like an invisible slap.The first time I met William was at Jonathan's 18th birthday party. That day, Jonathan had brought me back to his home and introduced me to his family. "She's part of our family now," he'd said. "As long as I'm here, I'll protect her for life."William, who'd been engrossed in his game, looked up as soon as he heard that.He had given me a long, measuring look, then broke into a grin. "Well, if Jonathan says so, then Cherry is my family too. I'll look out for you as well."For a moment, everyone's gazes—some curious, some dismissive, some envious—had fallen squarely on me, and I had felt utterly lost. Then, William tossed his phone aside and took my hand. "Come on. Let's go out and get to know each other better."Before I could say anything, he'd bundled me into his car and driven me around the city. If Jonathan hadn't called, he might have taken me all the way to the beach.As I

The guesthouse rarely saw more than one or two visitors at a time, leaving me plenty of free hours. Still, the owner was generous with my pay. After deducting the rent, I had about four grand.After a month, I bought a new phone and got a SIM card. The catch? I used his ID for registration."Are you not worried that I'm a criminal or something?" I asked him once, half-joking. "Like maybe I committed murder and I'm now on the run?"He studied me for a long moment and appeared amused. "Right. You, with those skinny arms, a murderer? If anything, I'd probably have a higher chance of being one."He put on a mock menacing face, but I wasn't the least bit intimidated.My boss, Matthew Collins, had a harsh tongue and a soft heart.Life moved along peacefully. One day, as I mopped the floor, the volume of the video Matthew was watching was particularly loud.Suddenly, I heard Jonathan and William's names and froze, knocking over the bucket of water.Matthew glanced over. "Friends of yo

I was surprised Matthew still remembered that video.In the end, Jonathan, William, and their group had settled down at the guesthouse.In the past two years, Everdale had been heavily developing its tourism industry which attracted plenty of businesses.But considering how far Everdale was from Denwick, I hadn't expected Jonathan and William would actually come in person.I stood idly at the counter, looking through some illustrations, when suddenly a voice called out."Charlotte, we need to talk."Rebecca still had that haughty air about her, though her posture seemed a bit more strained this time, as if she were trying to put on a brave front.Out in the garden, she took a card from her purse and said, "There's five million dollars on this card, Charlotte. Leave the country."I was stunned. "Why should I leave the country?"Her jaw clenched as she barely kept her temper in check. "You must know that Jonathan and William have been searching for you for the past three years.

I still remembered the agonized look in William's eyes as he fell, yet stubbornly, he had grinned. He had opened his mouth, but I couldn't make out what he was trying to say.After we left the police station, Matthew and I got in the car.Just as we were about to leave, Jonathan suddenly looked at me. His face was weary, and I could tell the deaths of William and Rebecca had hit him hard.I thought he might have something to say to me, but he just glanced at me before looking away.I stayed in Everdale, continuing to work at the guesthouse. Jonathan never appeared again.One day, a large group of people arrived in Everdale.I thought they had come to cause trouble. Just as I was about to call the police, Matthew stopped me with a smile. "It's fine. You go upstairs."I shook my head and stayed by his side. Back then, when I had nowhere to turn, Matthew had taken me in. Now that he was facing trouble, I couldn't abandon him.Matthew chuckled softly with a hand over his mouth.I