Chapter 8%
“My ID has already been updated. The old one was deactivated and destroyed by the civil registry officer,” I said clearly, holding up the card. “And as you can see, the hotel record still used the one with my old photo.”
I glanced at the screen again, where the ID photo attached to last night’s check–in clearly didn’t match the one in my hand.
“That gives me reason to believe someone used a fake version of my old ID and impersonated me to do something that damaged my reputation.”
One of the officers took my ID and stepped aside to verify it. Moments later, he returned, his expression more serious than before.} “The ID is legitimate. Newly issued.“}
Their gazes shifted, sharp and questioning, toward the hotel manager.”
“What’s going on here?”
Around us, the crowd stirred again.
“Wait… if her current ID photo doesn’t match the one on file at the hotel–does that mean the person in the video really wasn’t her?” “Not so fast,” someone muttered. “She could’ve used a fake ID when she checked in and now she’s trying to throw us off with a different one.”
“Yeah, come on–the facial recognition matched. That stuff’s live, not something you can just fake.”
“And the video was already confirmed authentic. She’s clearly trying to pin this on the hotel now.“”
With public opinion slowly leaning back in his favor, the hotel manager composed himself quickly. The panic faded from his face, replaced by a more cautious, practiced humility.
“I admit, things were hectic last night,” he began, his voice softer, almost regretful. “I forgot to scan the actual ID into the system. Instead, I pulled the record from her last stay and copied the info from there. That was my mistake.“}
He bowed slightly toward the officers. “But with all due respect, ID information can be faked or copied. Facial recognition is done live–it can’t be faked.“}
Then he turned to me with a mixture of apology and insistence. “Mrs. Johnson, I understand your desire to clear your name and I sincerely apologize for not following protocol exactly. But you did come to the hotel last night. Our front desk staff saw you.“>
I didn’t argue that. I nodded.
“Yes, they saw someone–but not me.”
I took a breath and scanned the room slowly, letting each word drop with weight.”
“I’ve been wondering this whole time–how did I appear on the hotel’s surveillance footage if I never came here? How could someone post that kind of video online, unless they could pass themselves off as me perfectly?“}
“Who could impersonate me down to every detail–even having my DNA?“D
I turned my head toward the one person who never looked away from me through all of this.
“It could only be you, my dear husband.“}
Sean’s face turned a deep, ugly red. His hands clenched at his sides as he shouted, “Maya, are you insane?“}
“How the hell could I impersonate you? Do you see my body? I’m taller than you, I’ve got broader shoulders, no curves–are you hearing yourself right now?”
He let out a short, bitter laugh. “I actually thought you might be telling the truth earlier, that maybe someone really did frame you. But now you’re throwing this at me? I was so wrong about you.“”
I looked at him, calm but resolute.
“We’ve been together since college. You were my first love–my first everything.“}
“No one knows my body better than you. Not even my parents know where my moles or birthmarks are–but you do.“@
I tilted my head slightly. “You even used to copy my little habits for fun when you were bored.“8
From the corner of my eye, I saw my parents glance at Sean. The doubt in their expressions was unmistakable.
Sean’s panic flickered for a moment before rage returned to his face. “Maya, stop spewing nonsense!“}
“So what if I mimicked you sometimes? It was just a joke–to get you to understand how annoying your quirks could be! That doesn’t make me some kind of imposter!“}}
He took a step forward, his voice rising again. “You’re the one who did something shameful. Now you’re trying to paint yourself as the victim and make me the scapegoat?”
“If you’re going to lie, just say the whole video was fake! That would at least sound more believable than this garbage.”
But I didn’t flinch. I looked him dead in the eye, disappointment clearly etched across my face.
“No,” I said, my voice quiet but firm. “The video is real.”
The moment those words left my mouth, both of my parents turned to me, horrified.
“Maya!” my mother gasped, her voice rising. “You can’t say something like that so casually!”
My father’s tone was equally urgent. “Are you out of your mind? If you admit it now, how are you supposed to clear your name later?”
