Chapter 18 - The Confession
The following week, Sarah and Ethan sat in an interview room with Officer Patel, Captain Alvarez, and a family lawyer. Mason joined them. Dean was not present.
Sarah spoke first. She explained what she had seen, what Ethan had told her at the hospital, and how fear had made her leave out important information. She did not claim she had done it for the children as if that made it harmless. She said she had been wrong.
Ethan described the fireworks, the argument, the spark, and the moment he realized the flame was beyond control. He admitted hiding what happened because he couldn't bear the thought that his father had died because of him.
"I didn't mean to start a fire," he said. "But I made the choice that started it. I can't change that. I can stop lying about it."
Mason described being trapped behind the workbench and Daniel pushing Ethan out before going back for him. He also explained how Dean had used different numbers and pieces of footage to force a public confession.
Captain Alvarez listened. "The fire was ruled undetermined because we didn't have enough evidence to identify the ignition source. This footage changes what we can establish, but a twelve-year-old's reckless act isn't the same as an intentional crime. We'll review it properly."
Outside, a reporter waited near the steps. Sarah could have walked past, but she stopped.
"I concealed information after my husband's death because I was afraid of what my son would face," she said. "That was wrong. Ethan is responsible for his actions, and I am responsible for mine. I won't discuss the children further, but I won't pretend our family was perfect."
The reporter asked if Ethan was dangerous.
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Sarah's voice sharpened. "He did something dangerous and hurt someone. We're taking it seriously. That isn't the same as saying a fifteen-year-old can never change."
Ethan stood beside her, pale but steady. For the first time since the birthday party, he didn't look at the ground when someone looked at him.
