CHAPTER 1: THE RED LIGHT ABOVE THE DOOR
CHAPTER 1: THE RED LIGHT ABOVE THE DOOR
The tiny red light blinked steadily.
Security camera.
For years, I had ignored it.
Now it felt like the only honest witness in the room.
Sophie trembled in my arms.
Blood continued to trickle from the cut near her hairline.
The guests shifted uncomfortably.
Suddenly, one of the hotel staff pushed through the crowd.
"Ambulance is on the way."
Thank God.
I carefully lifted Sophie and started toward the ballroom exit.
Then Preston laughed.
Actually laughed.
"Running away already?"
I stopped.
Every muscle in my body felt strangely calm.
"No."
I looked directly at the camera above the entrance.
"I'm collecting evidence."
For the first time all evening, his smile faltered.
Just slightly.
But I saw it.
And so did he.
The ambulance arrived minutes later.
At the hospital, Sophie needed seven stitches.
Seven.
The doctor explained that another inch lower could have caused far more serious damage.
While Sophie slept in recovery, I sat beside her bed scrolling through my phone.
At 11:42 p.m., I called the Whitmore Hotel.
At 11:47 p.m., I spoke with the general manager.
At 12:15 a.m., my attorney sent an emergency preservation request for all security footage.
At 12:18 a.m., my father called.
I let it ring.
At 12:19 a.m., my mother called.
Ignored.
At 12:21 a.m., Preston called.
Five times.
Ignored.
By morning, my voicemail was full.
That alone told me something important.
They were worried.
May you like
Not about Sophie.
About the footage.
