Dominic’s POV
The footage loads slowly, the way old ghosts do. Pixel by pixel, frame by frame, as if the machine itself hesitates to show me what’s coming.
I shouldn’t have this copy. Liana was the one who found it buried in her father’s study like a secret mausoleum. She sent it to me through an encrypted relay before she disappeared again. No message. Just a file labeled “DockFootage_Mirror.”
Something her father must have made or someone else did, without permission. Either way, I need to see it.
The footage begins, Date stamp: June 12. 23:14. Location: Private dock.
Elia appears first pale, frantic, glancing over her shoulder as if expecting to be followed. I feel my pulse stutter, I haven’t seen her move in years, not since the night I lost everything.
Then Stanley enters. Cal
