I Was Meant to Fly, but They Clipped My Wings

I couldn't help but wonder if this whole incident was a frame-up from the very beginning. It wasn't a matter of Diana being bought off to testify against me; the "assault" was a staged event from the very first moment.

However, I refused to play my part in this life, causing her performance to fall apart and her to rush over to force me into the scheme.

I was filled with dread as I thought it through. I couldn't help but wonder who was really behind this. I recalled Diana mentioning that I had offended someone I shouldn't have—who could it be?

I forced myself to stay calm. I made a point of ordering a dessert combo at the cafe and slipped the receipt into my pocket, making sure that I had a solid alibi in case the police ever questioned me.

I took a sip of my coffee while meticulously going over the differences between the two timelines in my mind again.

In my past life, a few of my close friends would call me out to hang out, insisting we hit a bar for some fun. I made an excuse about Mom being unwell and left ahead of them.

I was taken to a bar in a dark alley across from the commercial street. I had just stepped out when I heard someone screaming for help from a hidden corner. I used my phone's flashlight to see what was happening. I distinctly saw the two men had tied Diana's hands and were about to assault her.

I rushed in to help, but they seemed prepared for my intervention—when I got near, they picked up the steel rods behind the dumpster and instantly broke my legs.

In this life, Diana had acted differently. She had managed to free herself from the ropes and run out to grab me, shouting for help—all without me helping her. I didn't hear any screaming behind me once I left as well. I only saw her walking away with the two thugs.

It was clear that I was being set up in the whole incident.

It wasn't Diana they were after; it was me. I had never had a serious grudge with anyone that would justify such an elaborate plot against me, though.

It was an unsettling feeling, knowing my enemy was hiding in the shadows while I was out in the open.

I glanced at my phone and noticed that it was already 9:30 pm. I knew that this was usually the time Mom took her medication and went to bed, so I knew I couldn't stay out much longer without disrupting her sleep.

I had just taken out my keys to open the front door when two figures rushed out from the shadows and held me down with a tight grip. "You'd better hold still—we're the police! You've been reported for a crime and are under arrest!"

I panicked and fought to break free. "How could that be? I haven't done anything wrong! How can you justify arresting me?"

It was then that one of the police snapped the cuffs onto my wrists, pointed at the scratch marks on my skin, and said, "I'm sure these scratches say otherwise. We'll know exactly whether you're telling the truth once the lab results come back."

I thought back to Diana's rhinestone-encrusted manicure and broke out into goosebumps.