Ava’s Birthday Drawing Was Ruined While Everyone Blamed Lily — Then the Kitchen Camera Showed Who Really Scribbled Over It
Chapter 3 — Grandpa Richard Refuses to Answer
Claire drove to her parents’ house that afternoon.
She left Ava and Lily with their father.
Grandpa Richard was in the backyard preparing tables for the birthday party.
Claire walked directly toward him.
“Dad, who’s Ben?”
Richard stopped moving.
Claire didn’t need another answer.
His face gave her one.
“Where did you hear that name?”
Claire held up the photocopied picture.
Richard stared at it.
Then looked toward the house.
“Where did you find that?”
“In your old photo boxes.”
“Who else saw it?”
Claire’s expression hardened.
“Ava.”
Richard closed his eyes.
“And Matthew apparently saw it too.”
That got his attention.
“Matthew?”
Claire showed him the kitchen recording.
Richard watched silently as his son scribbled over Ava’s picture.
Then stole the original photograph.
“Why would he do that?” Claire asked.
Richard sat down heavily.
“I don’t know.”
“Then tell me who Ben is.”
Richard remained silent.
Claire waited.
Finally he said:
“Benjamin Carter.”
“Family?”
Richard shook his head.
“Not by blood.”
“Then who?”
Richard looked toward the photograph.
“He lived with us.”
Claire frowned.
“With you and Grandma?”
“For almost three years.”
Richard explained that Ben’s mother, Susan, had been his wife’s closest childhood friend.
When Susan became seriously ill, Richard and his wife, Margaret, took Ben into their home.
He was eight.
Claire had not yet been born.
“Then what happened to him?”
Richard’s expression became painful.
“He disappeared from our lives.”
Claire stared at him.
“Children don’t just disappear from families.”
Richard whispered:
“Sometimes adults make sure they do.”
