Chapter 4
Under Ethan’s stunned gaze, I was escorted back to the police station.
The bench was cold and hard. A female officer handed me a cup of warm water with a surprisingly kind expression.
“You didn’t cause any physical harm,” she said softly. “And Mr. Howard’s statement confirms he won’t press charges. But can you tell me why you did all of this?”
It was 12:30 a.m. Phones were ringing off the hook throughout the precinct.
The officers around us were in a frenzy.
“What? That’s horrific.”
“Alright, we’re heading out now.”
The weight in my chest began to lift slightly.
But my body wouldn’t stop shaking.
I was just now beginning to feel the full terror of what I’d done.
The female officer stopped one of the others rushing out the door. “What’s going on? Why’s everyone mobilizing?”
“There was a serious traffic accident in the suburbs,” he said grimly. “We’re all being dispatched.”
Thanks to Ethan’s non–prosecution statement, my questioning didn’t last long.
By morning, I’d completed my written statement and was released.
I stepped outside. And the moment I hit the blinding daylight, I was seized by another officer.
“Nina Collins,” he said firmly, gripping my arms. “There was a major traffic incident just after midnight in the city suburbs. You’re now a primary suspect. You’re not allowed to leave.”
My eyes widened in disbelief. No. No, this wasn’t happening.
“I was with Ethan Howard all night,” I said, panicked. “That kind of accident–there’s no way I was involved!”
After everything I’d done, I still didn’t change the ending?
Just then, the station doors swung open. Bay walked in. Beside him was Judith Miller.
“Officer,” she said, feigning urgency. “I have critical evidence to report!”
Judith ran toward the detective at my side, face full of false concern.
“I recognized the car. It’s hers–the girl standing right there.”
My parents had still been celebrating my release. At those words, their faces went blank with shock.
“Yesterday,” Judith went on tearfully, “Nina came to my place and cried about her issues with Bay. She drank a lot. I should’ve stopped her–but I didn’t. I let her leave. I never thought she’d… do something like this.”
Bay shook his head, a picture of performative regret.
“Nina, you had every right to be angry with me, but why go this far? You always said you wanted to crash into the world and destroy everything. I never imagined you’d actually go through with it.”
Judith held out a photo to the officer. “Here. This is from last night–her, drunk, leaving my house.”
The image showed me, face flushed, slumped behind the wheel of my red Ferrari.
My father quickly stepped forward to shield me.
Chapter 4
“No way. My daughter’s the most gentle girl I know. She’d never do something like this.”
The officer held up his phone, showing surveillance footage. “Take a look. This is your daughter, isn’t it? The figure’s small, but it’s clearly her driving.”
He pulled out a clipboard and handed it to my dad.
“We recovered the car this morning. You wouldn’t believe the scene–eight people dead. Body parts stuck to the fender. She fled like nothing happened. How many families are ruined because of this?”
My dad shook his head over and over, still refusing to accept it.
“She’s not the type. And she doesn’t even get drunk that easily.”
“We found her fingerprints and DNA all over the vehicle,” the officer added coldly. “Only hers. Explain that.”
My mom swayed on her feet.
“So… you did all that last night because you were traumatized from what you did?” Her voice broke. “Nina… how could you be so foolish?”
My pulse was out of control. My vision swam. The image of those severed limbs flashed in my mind again. I clutched the desk and vomited bile.
My mother stared blankly ahead, spirit utterly crushed.
I gently shook her arm. “Mom… please. Believe me. I didn’t do this.”
More calls came through the precinct, one after another.
The officer answering them looked over at me and shook his head.
“Captain, it’s trending now. Top of the charts. This one’s lit a fire. People want blood.”
Outside the station, someone had leaked my location.
Crowds began to form. Some held banners reading: “A life for a life–justice must be served.”
It felt like all the oxygen had drained from the world. Like hope itself had vanished.
The kind officer from last night had just finished her shift and returned in new clothes. Spotting me still inside, she stepped over curiously.
“I thought you were cleared. Why are you still here?”
“She was involved in last night’s hit–and–run,” another officer explained. “Trying to walk free.”
“Hit–and–run?” she repeated, stunned. “When did this happen?”
“Just after midnight. Eight fatalities.”
Her face went pale. And sp did mine.
Midnight? The time hadn’t changed.
I shot up from the bench and screamed, desperate:
“Officer, I was at the hotel at midnight! I livestreamed myself holding Ethan Howard hostage! His fans–millions of them–watched it happen! They can all vouch for me!”
