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All Chapters of Catch Me If You Can: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

9 Chapters

Chapter 1

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

Chapter 2

Catch Me If You Can/Long Journey

Even now, as I recalled it, I couldn't help but shiver, and my teeth chattered involuntarily.Footsteps hurried outside the hospital ward, and soon Jonathan and William entered. Rebecca followed behind them and stood at the foot of my bed, her eyes red-rimmed."Ms. Davis, I'm sorry. I didn't know where to draw the line. I'll cover all your medical expenses. I just hope you can let this go and not hold a grudge against me."Her voice was soft and sincere, a stark contrast to the Rebecca who'd proposed that reckless bet on the cruise.My head buzzed, and I closed my eyes to block out the ache.To Jonathan and William, though, it seemed like I resented Rebecca.Jonathan stood by my bed, looking down at me from his usual aloof distance. Even though I'd almost died right before his eyes, it hadn't shaken him in the slightest. But he hadn't always been like this. I had been ten years old when Dad had taken me to the red-light district.He had handed me a single red rose and said g

Chapter 3

Catch Me If You Can/Long Journey

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

Chapter 4

Catch Me If You Can/Long Journey

My eyes widened in shock as I stared at Rebecca.She raised an eyebrow, looking as if she'd suddenly had an epiphany."You really don't know? Oh, Charlotte, you're so naïve. Did you ever ask Jonathan why he brought you home in the first place? Aren't you even a little curious?"Of course, I'd asked. At Jonathan's 18th birthday party, I had a few drinks. Feeling a little bold, I had raised the question. He'd hesitated for a few seconds, then gently touched the corner of my eye."I was drawn to the emptiness in your eyes when we first met. You were like a withered flower, and I wanted to bring you back to life, to see how you'd bloom."And now you have bloomed—bright and beautiful, just like the rose you held back then. That was why I brought you home, Cherry. That's all there is to it."Was that really all?I carefully observed Rebecca's face, particularly her eyes. They did look like mine.So, that was it. I owed my survival to Rebecca, it seemed. All the affection I'd received

Chapter 5

Catch Me If You Can/Long Journey

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

Chapter 6

Catch Me If You Can/Long Journey

I caught the anger in William's voice, but I ignored him and went upstairs.Yet the dark look in his eyes made my newly steadied heart start racing again. He was obsessive like that. Jonathan might have moved on from the past, but William clearly hadn't.I sat on the bed, lost in thought until I heard a knock at the door.As soon as I opened it, someone pushed their way inside.It was William. He held onto my wrist while another figure entered right after. Jonathan, as calm and collected as always, walked in at his own pace. Then, the door clicked shut behind them.William gripped my chin and glared at me. "Charlotte, how dare you pretend not to know me?""Why wouldn't I?" I argued.He paused, startled by my cool tone, then let out a bitter laugh. "So, you've grown a backbone, haven't you? Three years. I searched everywhere for you, and you were hiding out in this dump."William looked around my room, sneering as if it were beneath him. "This shabby little place… it's nothing c

Chapter 7

Catch Me If You Can/Long Journey

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.

Chapter 8

Catch Me If You Can/Long Journey

Jonathan and William moved into the guesthouse next door, so I often saw them around.One day, as I headed out to buy supplies, I had the unsettling feeling someone was following me.I quickened my pace to lose them. At first, I assumed it was just Jonathan or William again. But the next moment, my vision went black.When I came to, I found myself on the edge of a cliff, and Rebecca was standing nearby.She looked worn out with none of the arrogance she used to show. Holding a knife to my neck, she glared at me with deep resentment."Charlotte, what makes you think you're better than me? Why would they choose you over me? Look at you. Still so calm. How brave. When they get here, I want you to keep this up. Don't you dare beg for mercy."I couldn't respond as my mouth was stuffed with a cloth.In the distance, two figures were approaching us. It was Jonathan and William. They looked tense but held back, cautious.Rebecca scoffed and pressed the knife closer to my face. "So, you

Chapter 9

Catch Me If You Can/Long Journey

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