CHAPTER 3 â The Countdown

Suddenly, the scanner began flashing red.
Daniel looked at Sophie.
The fear in his eyes returned.
âThe final sequence started.â
My mother grabbed his arm.
âWhat happens?â
Daniel swallowed.
âIf the device completes its cycle, it will permanently destroy the connection between her brain and legs.â
Sophie looked at me.
âDaddyâŠâ
I held her hand.
âIâm here.â
The timer appeared.
09:42
Nine minutes.
Everyone panicked.
Camille slowly backed toward the exit.
My fatherâs anger exploded.
âYou knew this would happen.â
Camille stopped.
Then she smiled.
âYou'll never prove anything.â
She reached for her phone.
But before she could call anyone...
A security team entered.
Not restaurant security.
Federal investigators.
My mother looked at me.
âI didn't come alone.â
The woman who disappeared for seven years had spent those years collecting evidence.
Every payment.
Every name.
Every person involved.
Camilleâs face changed.
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For the first time...
She looked afraid.