Chapter 1 - THE RED LIGHT
The room went completely silent.
Ethan stared at Sophia.
Then he looked toward the security camera.
Its tiny red light was still blinking.
Richard stood motionless near the window.
His cheek was red from his son's slap.
But somehow, the pain in his face wasn't from the blow.
It was from Ethan.
“Dad…”
Ethan's voice cracked.
Richard slowly turned toward him.
“You didn't even ask me.”
Ethan swallowed.
“I thought—”
“You thought she was telling the truth.”
Sophia immediately stepped forward.
“Ethan, please. Don't make this about you and your father.”
Richard looked at her.
For the first time, there was something cold in his eyes.
“You should be careful what you say next.”
Sophia's expression tightened.
“Are you threatening me?”
“No.”
Richard pointed toward the camera.
“I'm warning you.”
Ethan looked at the wall.
“Get the footage.”
Sophia's face changed.
Just slightly.
But Richard noticed.
So did Ethan.
A family security employee hurried into the room and pulled up the recording.
The footage began.
Everyone watched.
Sophia walked into the room.
She looked around.
Then she checked the hallway.
She waited.
She looked directly at the camera.
Then she deliberately grabbed her own blouse.
Rip.
One button.
Then another.
Then another.
She pulled her hair apart with both hands.
Then she stepped backward.
And screamed.
“HELP!”
No one spoke.
Ethan's face drained of color.
The footage continued.
Sophia looked toward the doorway.
Then smiled.
It lasted less than a second.
But it was unmistakable.
Ethan slowly turned toward her.
“Sophia…”
She backed away.
“I can explain.”
Richard closed his eyes.
Not because he was surprised.
Because he was exhausted.
“You can explain everything,” he said quietly.
Sophia shook her head.
“You don't understand.”
Ethan stared at her.
“You lied.”
“I was scared!”
“You staged it.”
“I had no choice!”
Richard opened his eyes.
“No choice?”
Sophia's breathing became faster.
“You think this is about some buttons?”
She suddenly laughed.
A strange, desperate laugh.
“You really think this is about your father?”
Ethan froze.
Sophia looked directly at Richard.
“This family has been lying to me for years.”
Richard's expression changed.
“What did you discover?”
Sophia smiled.
“Ask your father.”
Then she turned and ran.
Ethan moved after her.
But Richard grabbed his arm.
“Don't.”
“Why?”
“Because if she's running…”
Richard looked toward the security footage.
May you like
“…she knows something we don't.”
And for the first time that night, Ethan realized the accusation against his father might have been only the beginning.
