They All Said I Did It

Second by second, time dragged on.

Suddenly, something heavy hit the water outside. The cruise ship's engines roared loud enough to swallow most sounds, but I still caught it clearly.

So it happened… Cheryl still went overboard.

Moments later, hurried footsteps pounded down the hall. The young security guard shoved the door open so hard that it slammed against the wall.

He froze when he saw me. "Why are you still here? Weren't you just…"

Before he could finish, a crowd of passengers surged in behind him.

"It's him! He's the one who killed her! I saw him push that woman into the ocean!"

"Trying to run? With this many people watching, where do you think you're going?"

"Killing someone in broad daylight? You've got some nerve! I'm going to make sure everyone knows what you did today!"

A young man, worked up and shaking with excitement, held his phone up and started livestreaming.

"Guys, this is my first time seeing a crime scene live. Hit like, and let's watch how he tries to talk his way out of this!"

I turned my face away from the camera being shoved inches from me and flexed my wrists, numb from the cuffs.

"What happened out there? I've been cuffed here the whole time. I don't know anything."

Their eyes finally dropped to the handcuffs behind my back. Doubt flickered across their faces, so I kept going.

"Ask the ship's security. I caused a scene in the lobby earlier. They cuffed me here themselves."

The young guard still looked confused, but he nodded anyway.

"Yes, I put the cuffs on him myself about 20 minutes ago. I've had the key the whole time. There's no way he left."

In my last life, after Cheryl fell, all I cared about was saving her. I never noticed the strange looks around me.

This time, I found security first and told them everything. That made him my witness.

"Wait… Did we get the wrong guy?"

"I saw him causing trouble in the lobby earlier. It took several guards to restrain him."

"Why didn't you say that sooner? What a waste of time! Move, everyone. Let's go find the real killer."

The streamer turned to leave, but then Harry shoved through the crowd, his face twisted with anger.

"Michael, Cheryl wanted a divorce. Even if you can't handle that, that's not a reason to kill her!"

He raised his voice so everyone could hear.

"You all don't know this, right? The woman who fell overboard was his wife. He killed her!" Harry's expression shifted into grief. "Poor Cheryl. She was willing to walk away with nothing just to get free of you. Why couldn't you let her go?"

The crowd lit up instantly.

"You're married. If it doesn't work out, you separate! How could you kill her?"

"Just look at his face. He looks like trouble. He's definitely the killer."

"Damn, you almost fooled us! I hate men who hurt their wives. I'm teaching you a lesson today!"

The streamer stepped forward and kicked me hard, over and over.

I was chained to the pipe with nowhere to dodge. I went down hard, and the words I was about to say died in my throat.

On his livestream, the comments exploded.

[This is terrifying! That's the second wife-murder case this month. What do women even get out of marriage?]

[That poor woman. Didn't even get her divorce before she lost her life.]

[Hit him harder! He ruined a life and thinks he can walk away? We can't let him off easy! I'm sending a tip. Kick him a few more times for me!]

Once one person started, the rest rushed in.

Fists and feet came from every direction. My clothes were torn, my face split and bruised.

The head of security saw things spiraling out of control. He pulled out his baton and shouted, "That's enough! We don't have the full story yet. If you keep causing trouble on this ship, you're all getting arrested!"

The chaos finally died down.

I dragged myself up from the floor and wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth.

"I didn't kill anyone! My wife's death has nothing to do with me. If you don't believe me, check the security footage!"