At the final hearing, Reagan showed up dressed all in white, holding a rosary and crying fake tears. She talked about how much she loved this family, but my dad’s evidence was way too strong for her acting.

Nora played the video in the courtroom.

The whole room went completely silent when my dad’s thin face appeared on the big screen. His voice was weak but steady as he explained how he found the fake records, how sorry he was for doubting me, and how Reagan kept him isolated.

I didn’t cry. I just bit my lip until it hurt. But when he said, “I love you, son,” I felt something break inside me.

The judge threw out my old conviction right away. My name was completely cleared. But a piece of paper doesn’t give you back three years of your life.

It doesn’t fix the sleepless nights, the prison fights, or the shame of people looking away when they see you. It doesn’t give me back one last Christmas with my dad.