I never imagined how complicated the truth would be.
The next morning I went straight to Ethan’s school.
The principal kindly allowed me to review the security footage from the cameras near the front gate.
I sat in a small office watching the recording from the afternoon before.
Students streamed out of the building in loud groups, laughing, pushing each other, checking their phones.
Then I saw Ethan.
He was walking beside a girl.
At first I didn’t recognize her. Then she glanced over her shoulder and I saw her face clearly.
“Lily,” I whispered.
Lily had been to our house a few times. Quiet, polite, always careful with her words.
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