Ethan Was Blamed for Shattering the Planter — Then His Father Checked the Doorbell Camera

Chapter 7 — Helen’s Letters

Laura sat down on the porch step.

Her father, Michael, had died when she was nine.

Her mother rarely talked about the years before Laura was born.

Margaret continued.

“Your mother found the letters while cleaning out an old desk.”

“What did they say?”

“I never read them.”

Laura studied Margaret’s face.

“Then why did she accuse you?”

“Because the box disappeared the night I visited.”

Margaret had been Helen’s closest friend.

They had raised their children together.

Shared holidays.

Shared birthdays.

Then one evening, Helen showed Margaret the box.

She said the letters contained information Michael had hidden from her.

The next morning, the box was gone.

Helen blamed Margaret.

Margaret denied taking it.

Neither woman apologized.

They never spoke again.

“Your mother died believing I stole those letters,” Margaret said.

Laura looked toward the broken planter.

“And you think the box today is connected?”

Margaret nodded slowly.

“I think somebody found what Helen lost.”

Daniel looked toward the empty cardboard box.

“But there were no letters inside.”

Ethan suddenly spoke.

“Maybe there were.”

Everyone looked at him.

Ethan pointed toward the box.

“The dog scratched the bottom.”

Daniel turned it over.

The cardboard base looked unusually thick.

He pressed against it.

Something moved.

Daniel pulled back one folded section.

Underneath was a hidden compartment.

Inside lay a yellow envelope.

Laura’s name was written across the front.