Chapter 323

Ryan's POV The moment I arrived back in the States, all they showed me was a damaged surveillance video from the police. In the grainy footage, Serena's car gets violently rear-ended, slamming straight into a concrete wall. My chest tightened as I watched, my eyes burning with unshed tears. Blood roared in my ears as the video cut to black right after the impact—conveniently right when you'd be able to see who approached her car. "Mr. Blackwood, the investigation is still ongoing," the detective said, his voice carefully neutral. My body trembled slightly. I couldn't process this. Serena, missing. The very thought made my stomach drop to my feet. The police station's fluorescent lights suddenly seemed too bright, the air too thin. "There must be other leads," I said, my voice rough. "Traffic cameras? Witnesses? Anything?" "I'm very sorry, sir." The detective's face showed nothing but professional regret. No real answers, just empty sympathies. When I stepped outside the station, the Qu