Chapter 8: The Missing Report
I couldn’t stop thinking about one sentence.
*I erased something.*
Not lost.
Not forgot.
Erased.
Claire had chosen that word.
And words mattered.
Especially now.
The detective brought Claire into a small consultation room.
I wanted to follow.
I wanted answers.
But I also knew something important.
This was no longer just a marriage problem.
This was about Maya.
And protecting her came before understanding my own anger.
An hour later, the detective came back out.
His expression was serious.
“Mr. Bennett.””
I stood immediately.
“What did she erase?””
He hesitated.
“A report.””
My stomach tightened.
“What report?””
“A school report.””
I looked toward Maya’s room.
“What kind?””
The detective lowered his voice.
“A report made by Maya’s teacher.””
I felt numb.
“About Ryan?””
“Yes.””
I closed my eyes.
The timeline became clearer.
Six months ago.
A teacher noticed something.
Maya said something.
A report was made.
And Claire buried it.
“How?””
The detective looked at his notes.
“According to Claire, the teacher contacted her first because she was listed as the primary school contact.””
“She never told me.””
“No.””
I laughed quietly.
Not because it was funny.
Because I couldn’t believe it.
“She kept everything from me.””
The detective didn’t answer.
He didn’t need to.
I already knew.
When I returned to Maya’s room, she was asleep.
Finally asleep.
Not the restless kind.
Not the kind where she woke up every hour.
Real sleep.
I stood beside her bed and watched her breathe.
I thought about every morning I had kissed her goodbye.
Every night I had asked:
“How was your day?””
And every time she had smiled and said:
“Good.””
How many times had she lied because she thought the truth would destroy us?
A nurse entered quietly.
“She’s been through a lot.””
I nodded.
“Yeah.””
The nurse looked at Maya.
“She kept asking if her parents were going to fight.””
I looked down.
“She worries about that?””
The nurse gave me a sad smile.
“Children often think adult problems are their responsibility.””
I looked away.
Because I knew exactly why.
A few hours later, Maya woke up.
“Daddy?””
“I’m here.””
She smiled weakly.
“Did you stay?””
I nodded.
“Of course.””
She looked relieved.
Then she asked the question I was afraid of.
“Is Mommy mad at me?””
“No.””
“But she will be.””
My heart sank.
“Why do you think that?””
“Because every time someone finds out, Mommy gets scared.””
I sat down.
“Maya, your mom’s feelings are not your responsibility.””
She looked confused.
“But she cries.””
“I know.””
“Shouldn’t I help her?””
I took a breath.
“No.””
The word sounded harsh.
So I softened it.
“You can love Mommy.””
She nodded.
“But you don’t have to hide things to protect her.””
Maya was quiet.
Then:
“Daddy?””
“Yeah?””
“Can I tell you something else?””
My stomach tightened.
“Anything.””
She looked toward the window.
“Mommy deleted the video.””
“What video?””
“The one from the house camera.””
I stared.
“What house camera?””
“The one outside.””
I remembered.
We had installed a security camera after someone broke our mailbox.
It covered the backyard.
My hands went cold.
“What did the video show?””
Maya whispered:
“Me talking to Uncle Ryan.””
I stood immediately.
“Are you sure?””
She nodded.
“I saw Mommy delete it.””
“When?””
“The night she made me write the note.””
I walked out into the hallway.
Claire was sitting there.
She looked up.
I held up my phone.
“Where is the security footage?””
Her face changed.
“What?””
“The backyard camera.””
Silence.
Then Claire whispered:
“Marcus…”
“Where is it?””
She looked away.
“I deleted it.””
The hallway seemed to spin.
“Why?””
She started crying.
“Because I thought it would make everything worse.””
“No.””
I stepped back.
“You thought it would make things worse for you.””
She didn’t respond.
The detective approached.
“Mrs. Bennett, we need to know something.””
Claire wiped her tears.
“What?””
“Was the footage backed up anywhere?””
Claire froze.
I noticed.
The detective noticed too.
“Mrs. Bennett?””
She slowly looked at him.
Then at me.
And whispered:
“Yes.””
My heart stopped.
“Where?””
Claire closed her eyes.
“Ryan has a copy.””
The detective immediately reached for his phone.
“Why would he have a copy?””
Claire’s voice barely came out.
“Because…”
May you like
She swallowed.
“Because he was the one who asked me to delete it.””
