Acknowledge Your Mistake for the Rest of Your Life

I have a secret. I took over my best friend's life. Three years ago, the summer after the college entrance examination. Lin Zhou and I rode to the riverside together. He has better grades than me, a better family background, a brighter personality, and everyone likes him. And I will always be the inconspicuous shadow beside him. There was a quarrel that day. I was jealous and pushed him. He fell into the river and never came up again. I was shaking with fear. Finally I climbed ashore and cried to everyone: I lost my footing and fell into the water. Lin Zhou tried his best to save me but accidentally drowned. Everyone praised him for his kindness. Everyone feels sorry for me. I washed away the traces of disputes from my body and imitated his handwriting, habits, and tone of voice. I took his admission letter and went to his university. I walked into his circle and made his friends. I live like a perfect, gentle and sunny Lin Zhou. And the dark, low self-esteem, and vicious me completely disappeared. In the past three years, I have lived a decent, gentle and humble life. I used my identity as Lin Zhou to do all the good things. I thought it was atonement. I thought I could live peacefully like this for the rest of my life. Until last month, I received frequent anonymous text messages. The content of the text message is always only one sentence: "You robbed me of my life, it's time to give it back to me."