Liam Was Left Crying Over a Chocolate Mess — Then Daniel Found His Older Son Holding the Evidence on the Couch
Chapter 4 — Why Ethan Lied
Daniel had almost forgotten about the chocolate mess.
Liam hadn’t.
He looked toward Ethan.
“Why did you say I did it?”
Ethan’s face filled with shame.
“Because Dad told me not to talk to Marcus anymore.”
Daniel frowned.
“When?”
Ethan admitted Daniel had caught a glimpse of Marcus’s name on his laptop the week before.
Ethan lied then too.
He said Marcus was a classmate’s father.
Daniel told him not to contact random adults online.
Ethan became afraid that if Daniel discovered the recipe card, he would delete Marcus’s contact information.
So that afternoon, Ethan tried making the chocolate squares secretly.
He planned to take them to school.
Then the chocolate spilled.
Liam walked in.
And Ethan panicked.
“So you blamed him,” Daniel said.
Ethan nodded.
“I’m sorry.”
Daniel pointed toward Liam.
“Say that to him.”
Ethan turned.
“I’m sorry, Liam.”
Liam frowned.
“I told Dad the truth.”
“I know.”
“And you made me cry.”
Ethan nodded.
“I know.”
Daniel did not rescue Ethan from the discomfort.
The apology needed to feel uncomfortable.
Finally Liam said:
“Don’t do that again.”
“I won’t.”
Then Liam pointed toward the recipe card.
“Can we still make chocolate?”
Daniel almost laughed.
“Not tonight.”
But Ethan suddenly remembered something.
“Marcus sent another thing.”
He opened his laptop.
An email contained a link to a local television archive.
Title:
2002 STATE JUNIOR BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP — RAW EVENT FOOTAGE.
Daniel stared at the screen.
“I watched that competition video.”
Ethan shook his head.
“Marcus says you watched the TV version.”
“What’s the difference?”
Ethan clicked play.
“About eleven minutes.”
