Chapter 9 - The Truth He Could Say
Ethan sat across from Sarah the next morning, both hands wrapped around a mug of hot chocolate he hadn't touched.
"The first message said, 'Do you remember the smell?'" he said. "I thought it was a joke. Then it sent a picture of the garage. I blocked it. Another number texted the next day."
"How many?"
"Maybe thirty."
The messages had started with questions, then turned cruel: You got away with it. Your mother lied. Mason lost three years while you played the grieving son of a hero. One told Ethan to send a picture of the family at the birthday party. Another said everyone would laugh at him if he let Lily ruin his night.
"Did the sender tell you to hit her?" Sarah asked.
"No. I did that." Ethan forced himself to meet her eyes. "I was angry before the cake fell. I wanted someone else to feel as small as I did. Lily was there. I chose her. That's on me."
It was the first time he had taken responsibility without adding an excuse.
Sarah reached across the table. "I lied because I thought I could protect you from guilt. I was wrong. But the person sending these messages is responsible for threatening you. You're responsible for what you did to Lily. Both things can be true."
Ethan nodded, eyes shining.
"Will you see the counselor?"
"Yes."
"Will you stay away from Lily until she's ready?"
"Yes."
"Will you tell the truth Friday?"
He was silent for a long moment. "If I do, will you tell it too?"
"Every word."
His phone buzzed again.
Ask Mason what your father said before he went back inside.
May you like
Ethan pushed the phone toward her. "I can't do this alone anymore."
Sarah called the county fire marshal's office and asked for the original report. If they were going to face the truth, she wanted more than the pieces Dean had chosen to show them.
