Murder, Rewind

"Babe, I only casually mentioned those snacks from that little influencer town, and you actually remembered! I'm so lucky I married you!"

Hannah Walker wrapped her arms around my neck and pressed a sweet kiss to my lips.

I jolted–then realized I was reborn.

In my previous life, after months of relentless work, I finally took a short break once the rocket I was developing launched successfully. I drove my whole family to this mountain retreat to enjoy some rare downtime.

I chose this place because of the snow-capped mountain behind the lodge–Hannah always wanted to see it.

That evening, she originally planned to go with me to buy some local snacks, but our child insisted on going to play in the water, and Hannah worried that my parents would be too tired from the drive, so she stayed behind with them and let me go alone.

When I returned to the lodge, arms full of food, I took a shower and did a bit more work. Then I headed downstairs to meet my wife and daughter–only to hear the other guests buzzing with gossip.

"Have you heard? There's been a body dumping case near that town, not far from here. The killer is ridiculously bold!"

"They say a witness saw him dump a blood-stained suitcase–and then, right there on the roadside, he even hooked up with a woman. Absolutely shameless!"

As an engineer, I was never one for idle gossip. I quietly walked past the crowd.

"An online wanted notice just came out. Take a look at what that scumbag looks like. He couldn't have gone far–we should all be careful!"

Suddenly, the chatter died.

The atmosphere turned cold.

When I looked up, I realized everyone was staring at me.

Their eyes were dark, unsettling.

The hair on the back of my neck prickled. I lowered the brim of my hat and kept walking.

The moment I stepped out the door, the wail of sirens cut through the air–more than a dozen police cars racing toward us.

I barely had time to react before I was slammed to the ground.

The police thanked the bystanders who reported me, pulled up surveillance footage, and searched my car.

The evidence was irrefutable.

As they took me away, they proudly told the media that this was the fastest case ever solved through cooperation between the public and the police.

I was framed as a murderer.

Once hailed as a hero in aerospace, I became a man everyone spat on–a criminal despised by all.

My organization cut ties with me overnight in a desperate PR move. The technological breakthroughs I led were suddenly credited to others.

However, the most horrifying part–

It was not just me who died.

My family did not survive either.

The memory hit like a hammer. My head throbbed violently.

Seeing my pale expression, Hannah quickly reached out and gently rubbed my temples.

"Altitude sickness? Then don't go. Just rest here at the hotel–we can always buy the snacks tomorrow."

I looked at her–my gentle, caring wife–and suddenly something clicked.

In my previous life, she was the only one who was not affected.

However, we were together for nearly ten years. As the technical backbone of the family, I was always the one providing. Our child was already grown.

No matter what, it did not make sense for her to do something so ruthless.

Or was it a rival at work?

After all, they were the biggest beneficiaries–they took all my achievements once I was gone.

However, this destination was obscure. I did not tell about the trip beforehand.

Who could have orchestrated something so perfectly in advance?

Or could it have been some overseas organization that long coveted my technology?

My thoughts spiraled as I lay down.

As long as I stayed here in the lodge and did not go out, whoever was trying to set me up would not have the chance, right?

I closed my eyes.

Certain of my plan.

Certain I was safe.

I was wrong.