Snapping out of his daze, Peter called the police to report the theft. “I need to report a stolen vehicle,” he said, his voice shaking. The officer on the line listened patiently as Peter explained what had happened. “We’ll begin the investigation immediately,” the officer assured him.
As he hung up, Peter felt hollow. He sat down heavily on the sofa, replaying the events of the last few days in his mind. Natalie’s tearful confessions, the children’s laughter—it all seemed so genuine. “Was any of it real?” he asked himself, his thoughts in turmoil.