My heart tightened.
"What recording?"
"Security footage from the night Nina died."
I stopped breathing.
For several seconds, I couldn't answer.
Then I whispered, "Can I see it?"
He hesitated.
"Yes. But I want someone you trust with you."
Avery came.
We sat together in a small interview room.
Grant started the video.
The footage was grainy.
Black and white.
A hospital corridor.
A nurses' station.
The date appeared in the corner.
The night I supposedly died.
At 11:42 p.m., Nina entered the hallway.
She was wearing a pale green sweater.
She looked frightened.
A moment later, I appeared beside her.
Nineteen-year-old me.
Alive.
Walking.
Holding a small overnight bag.
My hands began trembling.
"That's me."
Avery squeezed my arm.
The two girls hurried toward an exit.
Then a man stepped into the hallway.
My father.
Mitch.
I stopped breathing.
He grabbed my arm.
I tried to pull away.
Nina stepped between us.